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Centrosema pubescens is a promising forage in regions looking for an alternative to enhance the protein content of livestock feed. It is easy to manage and improves soil nitrogen levels. It does not require any special technology or equipment to plant.
Bambara groundnut represents the third most important grain legume in semi-arid Africa. [8] It is resistant to high temperatures and is suitable for marginal soils where other leguminous crops cannot be grown. [9] It is a low-impact crop. [10] The entire plant is known for soil improvement [11] because of nitrogen fixation.
Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae – with taxa such as clover, soybeans, alfalfa, lupins, peanuts, and rooibos.They contain symbiotic bacteria called Rhizobia within nodules in their root systems, producing nitrogen compounds that help the plant to grow and compete with other plants.
As well as an important source of food for humans in poor, arid regions, the crop can also be used as feed for livestock. [31] Its nitrogen-fixing ability means that as well as functioning as a sole crop, the cowpea can be effectively intercropped with sorghum, millet, maize, cassava, or cotton. [32]
The nitrogen-fixing clade consists of four orders of flowering plants: Cucurbitales, Fabales, Fagales and Rosales. [a] This subgroup of the rosids encompasses 28 families of trees, shrubs, vines and herbaceous perennials and annuals. The roots of many of the species host bacteria that fix nitrogen into compounds the plants can use. [4] [5]
Its nitrogen-fixing ability (which increases soil nitrogen) and its use as an animal feed greatly improve agricultural efficiency. [33] [34] Alfalfa can be sown in spring or fall, and does best on well-drained soils with a neutral pH of 6.8–7.5. [35] [36] Alfalfa requires sustained levels of potassium and phosphorus to grow well. [37]
Nitrogen is the most commonly limiting nutrient in plants. Legumes use nitrogen fixing bacteria, specifically symbiotic rhizobia bacteria, within their root nodules to counter the limitation. Rhizobia bacteria convert nitrogen gas (N 2) to ammonia (NH 3) in a process called nitrogen fixation.
Rhizobium: Symbiotic nitrogen fixation by Rhizobium with legumes contributes substantially to total nitrogen fixation. Rhizobium inoculation is a well-known agronomic practice to ensure adequate nitrogen. [5] [6] One of the most widespread species is R. leguminosarum. Bradyrhizobium spp. (in particular Bradyrhizobium japonicum). [7]