Lulseged GebrehiwotHoletta Research Centre Institute of Agricultural Research (JAR)
PO Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Work by the Institute of Agricultural Research to assess and improve primary production on Vertisols is summarised. Results of research on the adaptability and productivity of improved annual and perennial forage species on Vertisols are also reported.
Native pastures on Vertisols, if properly managed, could supply a good quantity of quality roughage. In small plot experiments, annual dry matter yields of 5-6 t ha-1, with crude protein content of 6%, were recorded Large-scale pasture fields yielded 3.5-4.5 t ha-1. It is estimated that these pastures could support two bulls ha-1 for about 6 months or 10 sheep ha-1 for a year, with weight gains of 86.4 and 154.7 kg ha-1, respectively. A number of improved perennial grasses and two local annual Trifolium species were also found to be productive on undrained Vertisols. Most of them yielded over 5 t ha-1 dry matter. The fodder crops, oats and vetch, yielded about 6 t ha dry matter.
Smallholders do not benefit from this research, because of limited resources. Hence, it is suggested that forage research should focus more on the integration of crops with livestock.
