Herbage Yield Evaluation of Sesbania Tree Legume Lines (Sesbania scopoli) under Supplemental Irrigation

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the performance of three indigenous perennial Sesbania tree legume lines under supplemental irrigation and advice the promising species as cultivated fodder for livestock producers. Randomized Complete Block Design of three Sesbania tree legume lines of S. sesban DZF-405, S. dummeri DZF-336, and S. sesban DZF-403 with three replications was used. The result showed that the agronomic performances of vigor, height, lateral branch less than 50cm and 100cm, diameter, survival, as well as dry matter percent, dry matter leaf-to-stem ratio, and dry matter yield in ton per hectare were not varied statistically (P>0.05) between the three Sesbania tree legume lines. However, the two S. sesban lines of DZF-405 and DZF-403 numerically produced more dry matter yield (Mean±SEM) in ton per hectare (6.23±1.07 and 6.24±1.07, respectively) than S. dummeri DZF-336 (3.29±1.07). Lateral branches less than 50 and 100cm were found high (P<0.001) during the first harvest (8.15±0.56 and 16.74±0.78) than second (3.3±0.39 and 6.59±0.78) and third (4.44±0.39 and 7.82±0.78) harvest, respectively. But, the diameter was significantly (P<0.001) low 2.88±0.24 during the first harvest. Dry matter yield in ton per hectare (8.7±1.07) and dry matter leaf-to-stem ratio (1.32±0.06) were found high (P<0.001) during the second harvest period. The two S. sesban cultivated fodder lines numerically yield better dry matter under Wondogenet environmental conditions. Under supplemental irrigation, the varieties are more productive and can give multiple harvests with a minimum of three times per year. It can be utilized as a cut-and-carry feeding system for fresh fodder or leaf hay. This smallholder farmer is preferably advised to use S. sesban lines of DZF-405 and DZF-403 under supplemental irrigation for livestock feed resources.