Herbaceous Forage Legumes Adaptation in Acidic Soils in South-Kivu, D. R. Congo

Abstract

In D. R. Congo, agriculture is still managed in extensive system with crop integration especially in South-Kivu Province. Demographic pressure on the land is highly due to unequal distribution.

The objective of this study is to test adaptation of improved herbaceous forage legumes selected in Tropical America by “Centro International de Agricultura Tropical” (CIAT). Agronomic performance and farmer participatory evaluation in using various agroecological zones in South-Kivu, were used to draw a model for similar areas. Forages were installed randomly in the blocks with 3 replicates. In spite of the acidic soils, forages recommended were, S. guianensis 11995, S. guianensis Cook, C. molle and D. intortum. The second step should be to adapt these forages in the farmers cropping systems. The seasons didn’t influence in general the yield production. All the accessions of V. unguiculata and C. ternatea did not adapt anywhere and C. brasiliensis was sensitive to diseases and insects.