FORAGE LEGUMES: A RESOURCE FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN CHAMULA, CHIAPAS
Sheep production is an important activity of maya tzotzil peasants in San Juan Chamula, the municipality with the highest human and sheep population density in the State of Chiapas, México. Forage shortage and overgrazing reduces animal production, promotes soil erosion and reduces species richness in forest communities. In each of two locations, a completely random design trial with five replications was undertaken to evaluate above- ground biomass, soil cover capacity, and plant height of nine forage legumes of the genera Medicago, Trifolium, and Vicia, not previously cultivated in the area, and one local wild species (Dalea leporina) in order to identify the most promising materials for further participatory intercropping research. The experimental sites were selected by women. Labor, seed and other input costs were also recorded and cost per kilogram and hectare of fodder were estimated. In additional experiments, root nodulation and palatability of each legume were evaluated. All species were palatable to animals. Dalea leporina, Vicia villosa and Vicia sativa performed far better, both ecologically and economically, than clovers and alfalfas.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | spa |
| Published: |
Colegio de Postgraduados
1999
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| Online Access: | https://www.agrociencia-colpos.org/index.php/agrociencia/article/view/1638 |
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| Summary: | Sheep production is an important activity of maya tzotzil peasants in San Juan Chamula, the municipality with the highest human and sheep population density in the
State of Chiapas, México. Forage shortage and overgrazing reduces animal production, promotes soil erosion and reduces species richness in forest communities. In each of two locations, a
completely random design trial with five replications was undertaken to evaluate above- ground biomass, soil cover capacity, and plant height of nine forage legumes of the genera Medicago,
Trifolium, and Vicia, not previously cultivated in the area, and one local wild species (Dalea leporina) in order to identify the most promising materials for further participatory
intercropping research. The experimental sites were selected by women. Labor, seed and other input costs were also recorded and cost per kilogram and hectare of fodder were estimated. In
additional experiments, root nodulation and palatability of each legume were evaluated. All species were palatable to animals. Dalea leporina, Vicia villosa and Vicia sativa performed far
better, both ecologically and economically, than clovers and alfalfas. |
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