Evaluation and selection of forage legumes for acid and of low fertility soils - I - Stylosanthes spp.

Abstract

Species and ecotypes of lhe genus Stylosanthes, were evaluated with respect to chemical and agronomic characters in an acid soil of low fertility, principally of  low phosphorus content. The parameters used for evaluation were: growth rate in both dry and rainy seasons, susceptibility to pests and diseases, mineral content, nodulation, and seed production. As a means of selection the results were compared to a standard (S. guyanensis cv. Endeavour). The ecotypes of S. guyanensis were notable for his high potential in dry season forage production. On the other hand the ecotypes of the species S. scabra and S. capitata displayed a high potential for forage production only in the rainy season. The most common disease was anthracnose which limited the utilization of this genus as a forage plants. Different grades of tolerance to this disease were observed between species and ecotypes of the same species. The standard was inferior to most of the introduction with relation to disease resistance and forage production potential.