Forage Yield and Quality of Lablab (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet) Intercropped With Maize (Zea mays L.) With Flooded Irrigation System in the Semi-Arid Zone of Nigeria

An experiment was conducted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 dry seasons to investigate the use of lablab (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet) as alternative forage legume for use in maize-legume intercrop under 3 irrigation regimes. Lablab was harvested for forage yield from 6 to 18 weeks after seeding. Forage yield and quality of lablab at different ages of growth and irrigation frequency, as well as maize grain yield and yield components were measured. Plant height of maize and number of leaves of lablab were not affected (P > 0.05) by years of trial. Plant stand count of lablab, number of leaves of maize, plant height of lablab, and LAI of maize and lablab differed (P < 0.05) with years of trial. Irrigation frequency did not affect (P < 0.05) number of leaves of maize and lablab. There were significant (P < 0.05) interactions between age of cutting x year of trial x irrigation schedule on dry forage yield of lablab. Age of cutting had no effect (P > 0.05) on forage Mg and Na contents of lablab. The CP contents of lablab at 15 and 18 WAS were lower (P < 0.05) than the CP at 6 WAS. The forage CF, NDF, ADF, EE and NFE differed (P < 0.05). Except ADF and Ca- P, measured nutrients did not differ (P > 0.05) with irrigation frequency. The maize grain yield was higher (P < 0.05) in 2010 and 2011 (1722-1726 kg/ha) than 2009 (1412 kg/ha). Results from this study suggest that lablab could be introduced as a component crop in an intercropping system with maize under irrigation in Nigeria.