Land
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Browsing Land by Subject "Adaptability"
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Item Screening Xerophytic Plant Species for Adaptability to Machakos and Kitui Districts(1983) Ulsaker,L.GThe objective of this study was to evaluate the adaptability and potential for improving efficient water use and/or conservation of soil by the introduction of xerophytic plant species with economic value as food, forage, or fuel to the predominantly subsistence-level farmers in the Machakos and Kitui Districts of Kenya. Plant screening began in October 1980 on the National Range Research Station, Kiboko, and subsequent studies were made at the National Dryland Farm· ing Research Station, Katumani, and on test plots on farmers' fields. The results indicate that the plant species most suitable for introduction for food production in the hottest. driest areas of the region appear to be: tepary bean (Rhaseolus acutifolius), winged bean (Psophocarpus tetra-. gonolobus), bambara groundnut (Voandzeia subte"anea), moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia>, and grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus). Marama bean (Tylosema esculentum) deserves another trial. Mung bean (Vigna radiata), hyacinth bean (J)olichos lablab), and, in very limited areas, guar or cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) are already being grown but warrant considerably more attention to varietal selection, planting patterns, intercropping, rotational sequences, Rhizobium requirements, pest control, and other cultural practices. Such efforts would be desirable for most or all of the species that were screened, but priorities, in most instances, would logically be assigned to those already being produced.
