Prioritisation of native legume species for further evaluation as potential forage crops in water-limited agricultural systems in South Africa

Francuois L Müller; Lincoln M Raitt; Samson B M Chimphango; M Igshaan Samuels; Clement F Cupido; J Stephen Boatwright; Richard Knight; Marike Trytsman

doi:10.1007/s10661-017-6230-x

Prioritisation of native legume species for further evaluation as potential forage crops in water-limited agricultural systems in South Africa

Environ Monit Assess. 2017 Sep 19;189(10):512. doi: 10.1007/s10661-017-6230-x.

Authors

Francuois L Müller^{1

2}, Lincoln M Raitt³, Samson B M Chimphango⁴, M Igshaan Samuels⁵, Clement F Cupido⁵, J Stephen Boatwright³, Richard Knight^{3

6}, Marike Trytsman⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X 17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa. francuoismuller@gmail.com.
² Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X 17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa. francuoismuller@gmail.com.
³ Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X 17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X 3, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa.
⁵ Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X 17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa.
⁶ DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X 17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa.
⁷ Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production Institute, Private Bag X 2, Irene, 0062, South Africa.

PMID: 28929399
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6230-x

Abstract

In the face of climate change, identification of forage species suitable for dryland farming under low rainfall conditions in South Africa is needed. Currently, there are only a limited number of forage species suitable for dryland farming under such conditions. The objective of this study was to identify and prioritise native legume species that could potentially be used in dryland farming systems in water-limited agro-ecosystems in South Africa. Using a combination of ecological niche modelling techniques, plant functional traits, and indigenous knowledge, 18 perennial herbaceous or stem-woody legume species were prioritised for further evaluation as potential fodder species within water-limited agricultural areas. These species will be evaluated further for their forage quality and their ability to survive and produce enough biomass under water limitation and poor edaphic conditions.

Keywords: Arid environments; Ecological niche models; Fabaceae; Leguminosae; Perennial forage species; South African native legumes.

MeSH terms

Agriculture / methods
Biomass
Climate Change*
Crops, Agricultural / growth & development*
Desert Climate
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring / methods*
Fabaceae / growth & development*
Rain
South Africa
Water / analysis*

Substances

Water