Effect of legume component, Clitoria ternatea, on biomass and crude protein yield of different pasture grasses

摘要

The Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) proved beneficial when grown with pasture grasses in silvipastoral system of production. The highest biomass was recorded in three species combination viz., Clitoria + Cenchrus + Subabul (9.75 t/h) followed by Chrysopogon + Subabul (8.86 t/h) and Clitoria + Chrysopogon + Subabul (8.67 t/ha). The grass-legume combination produced 50-100% more biomass than Chrysopogon and Heteropogon grass alone. The maximum crude protein yield was recorded in the Clitoria + Cenchrus combination, however, Clitoria + Cenchrus + Subabul treatment proved to be the most beneficial combination both for improved biomass and crude protein yield.