Highworth | Dolichos

Dolichos
Dolichos, otherwise known as lablab, is one of the most ancient crops among cultivated plants. It is a late maturing, vigorous, herbaceous, annual or shortlived perennial legume. It has a twining growth habit, primarily used as a forage or fodder crop. It is suited for areas with average rainfall of 650 mm, although it is very drought tolerant once established. Well drained soils are essential for good growth, being highly susceptible to waterlogging. Dolichos can be sown in mixtures with millet and forage sorghums. In pure swards it generally produces 6 - 10 ton/ha of herbage.

Key features
• High forage quality
• Generally higher producing than cowpeas
• Can be utilized by grazing or making hay
• Restores soil fertility as a cover crop (green manure)
• Good insect and disease resistance
• Poor frost tolerance

Legumes
Legumes drive pasture production by producing nitrogen. They must be carefully inoculated to ensure success. Adequate pasture nutrition is important for maintaining the dominance of improved species in a pasture. Nitrogen is one of the most important elements of pasture nutrition. Protein levels and the digestibility of pastures are improved by legumes, resulting in improved livestock performance.