Legume Research Network Project Newsletter

Abstract

The evaluation and identification of suitable legumes for soil fertility improvement in Kenya was initiated in 1994 by the Legume Research Network Project (LRNP). About 59 species were screened in 11 sites in 1995 and 1996 (Dyck, 1997; Mureithi, 2001). They consisted of legumes suitable for green manure, human food and for feeding livestock. Buckwheat (Fagopyarum esculentum), a temperate species and a non-legume, was also tested at each site because of its wide usage for weed control and as a cover crop in temperate countries. The legumes that performed poorly in 1995 were dropped from the trial and replaced with new ones in 1996. The total number of species varied from site to site depending on availability of land and the prevailing agro-ecological conditions with most of the sites having more than 23 species. The following parameters were observed during screening; germination, phenology, ground cover, pests and disease resistance, drought tolerance, nodulation and nitrogen fixation, tissue analysis, and biomass accumulation.