Productive performance of three tropical legumes for protein banks in the dry tropics of Colima, Mexico

The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of mucuna (Mucuna pruriens), lablab (Lablab purpureus) and clitoria (Clitoria ternatea) for protein banks in Colima, Mexico, with irrigation used prior to the rainy season. Fifteen plots were allocated in a complete randomized block design with 5 replicates. Dry matter production, crude protein, calcium and phosphorus concentrations and leaf:steam ratio were evaluated. The highest dry matter production was recorded for clitoria and lablab (9.80 and 8.93 t/ha, respectively, over 240–260 days), while mucuna produced 5.5 t DM/ha in 120 days. Leaf production in clitoria (4.73 t/ha) exceeded that in lablab (3.23 t/ha) and mucuna (2.69 t/ha), while leaf:stem ratio was 0.94 for clitoria, 1.0 for mucuna and 0.58 for lablab. Crude protein concentrations in all species were high (21.7–27.8%) as were concentrations of Ca (1.17–1.64%) and P (0.38–0.67%). Use of the 3 forages is discussed. Studies in the absence of irrigation in a range of seasons would determine how relevant these findings are in those situations. Feeding studies with animals would provide additional information on which to decide the appropriate species to plant in different situations.Keywords: Clitoria ternatea, dry matter yield, forage quality, Lablab purpureus, Mucuna pruriens.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)104-111