Seed production, herbage residue and crude protein content of centro (Centrosema pubescens) in the year of establishment at Shika, Nigeria

摘要

A field trial was carried out on seed production pattern of centro (Centrosema pubescens) in the year of establishment in a sub humid environment of Nigeria as influenced by sowing date and phosphorus application levels. The herbage residue and itscrude protein content were also determined after pod harvest. The variation in seeds per pod for plantings between June 21 to August 2 was from 16.5 to 14.5, while for unfertilized and fertilized plots seeds number varied between 12.6 and 16.2/pod. The weight of 1000 seeds decreased with delayed planting. Phosphorus appfication improved seed weight. Seed yield was highest (1000 kg/ha) for July 5 sowing with phosphorus application of 60 kg/ha P_2O_5 combination. The variation in mean seed yield for planting between June 21 and August 2 was 782.0 to 360.3 kg/ha. The application of 0 to 60 kg/ha P_2O_5 resulted in mean seed yields of 405.7 to 776.8 kg/ha. Herbage residue was favoured more by June 21 sowing and the application of 60 kg/ha P_2O_5. The crude protein content was better with August sowing and 60 kg/ha P_2O_5.