Abstract:
Declining soil fertility and inadequate and low quality feed resources limit smallholder
crop yields and dairy production in Kenya. Herbaceous legumes can provide an
alternative to the use of commercial N sources for cereal crops and livestock production
in these low external-input farming systems. Research reported in this dissertation was
conducted to 1) determine the N contribution from relay-cropped mucuna [Mucuna
pruriens (L.) DC. Var. utilis (Wright) Bruck] and lablab [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet
cv. Rongai] to succeeding maize (Zea mays L.)-common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
intercrop when part of the legume biomass is removed for fodder and 2) evaluate the
nutritive value of these legumes when used as supplements for lactating cows fed
napiergrass [Pennisetum purpureum (K. Schum) cv. Bana].