Observations on the Growth of Non-Irrigated Lucerne

Abstract

Pure stands of dry land lucerne have for long been recognized as an important source of high quality feed for livestock in the Argentine, Australia, U.S.A. and elsewhere, By comparison. little use is being made of non-irrigated lucerne in Kenya, the bulk of our production at the moment coming from areas such as the shore of Lake Naivasha, which have fertile soil and adequate sub-surface water, or from stands which are grown elsewhere under irrigation. Undoubtedly, far more use could be made of lucerne in this country, both in pasture mixtures and in pure stands, and a good deal of attention is therefore now being given by the Agricultural Department to this aspect, especially at the Grassland Research Stations at Kitale and Molo.