Effect of different pasture legumes on growth profile and forage production of the selected native pasture grasses mix at different growth stages

The present experiment aimed to investigate the effect of introducing different pasture legumes on the growth profile and forage production of the selected native pasture grass species at different stages of growth. In a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 5 replications, the mixture of Sorghum plumosum (SP) and Bothriochloa pertusa (BP) was introduced respectively with one of the forage legumes ie. Alysicarpus vaginalis (AV), Pueraria phasoloides (PP), Desmodium incanum (DI), and Clitoria ternatea (CT). Growth profile and forage production were measured at 40, 60, and 80 days after planting. Results showed that CT and PP significantly improved the growth and DM production of SP and suppressed (PBP during the early vegetative stage but did not during the late vegetative stage. Introduction of legumes reduced (PSP and the total forage production but improved (PB. pertusa as well as a leaf:stem ratio of both types of grass at the generative stage. PP had the highest (PP. phasoloides provide the highest foliage during the vegetative stage and A. vaginalis and D. incanum during the generative stage.