NONLEGUMINOUS TROPICAL PASTURE AND FEED CROPS

A wide variety of plants can be used as pasture and feed crops in the tropics. Over the years a limited number have become of great importance because of their adaptation, ease of growth, high yields, and nutritional value. Most of these are either grasses or legumes. Most of the grasses are highly suitable for permanent pastures, although a few are usually cut and carried to the animals. Unfortunately, there are few legume and grass combinations that are compatible in pastures of the tropics; however, we have recently added several new legumes suitable for mixed pastures and are eager to hear how they grow in various areas. In the case of leucaena and grass as a combination, an appropriate diet consists of 1/3 leucaena to 2/3 grass. During drought or in arid areas, tree leaves are sometimes the only feed available. We have a general Technical Note on Forages available.

Seeds are available to members of our network.
To find out how to request seeds, click here.

Buckwheat | Forage Kale | Maize | Millet | Turnip

Brassica oleracea var. acephala                                                                     MS, H, T

Forage Kale

Maris Kestrel: For cool highland regions; fast-growing, short-season.   This kale is normally used as a forage crop for animals; it can be grazed.  Also makes a good cover crop.  Broadcast.

Brassica rapa var. rapa                                                                                  MS,LL, T

Forage Turnip/ Turnip

For cool highland regions; fast-growing, short-season.  Turnips may be planted to follow early vegetables, but not after other root crops.  They are best grown after clover, beans, peas or grass.  They do best in fertile soils.  In tropical climates grow during the dry season.

Aberdeen Green Top Scotch: forage plant with edible greens and tuber; average yield; moderate resistance to powdery mildew; green skin, yellow flesh; can be grazed or harvested and stored for later use.

Tyfon Stubble: forage plant with edible greens and tuber; quick-growing leaf with high yield; low root-yield, but small bulbs have good anchorage; poor resistance to mildew; some re-growth possible after light grazing.

Refer to Leafy Vegetables for more varieties.

Fagopyrum esculentum                                                             Elevation: 0-2000m

Buckwheat                                                                                                          MS, T, H

Important grain crop that is a summer annual.  Does best in cool, moist temperate regions. Tolerates tropics at high elevations. Plant about 1" deep, 6-7" apart. Doesn't flower well in heat. Turn in to build soil.  Matures in 75-90days.  Does not set seed well where daytime temperatures exceed 25C (77F).  Soil pH 4.4-7.5.

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Millet

See Grain Crops section for varieties and climate suggestions.

Zea mays                                                                                    Elevation: 0-4000m

Maize/Corn                                                                                              SA, MS, LL,T, H

Maize is a warm climate crop, thriving in open sunny environments having daytime temperatures of 20-24 C (68-86 F).  Rainfall during the growth period should be 500 mm (20 in) or more.  It requires large amounts of nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Soil pH: 4.5-7.5.

See Grain Crops section for further details about each variety of corn/maize.