O nline J ournal of A nimal and F eed R esearch

Volume 11, Issue 1: 28-35; January 25, 2021

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2021.6

BIOMASS YIELD AND QUALITY OF FODDER FROM SELECTED

VARIETIES OF LABLAB (Lablab Purpureus L) IN NANDI SOUTH

SUB-COUNTY OF KENYA

Anthony Juma WANGILA¹, Charles Karuku GACHUIRI¹, James Wanjohi MUTHOMI¹and John Okeyo OJIEM²

¹Department of Animal Production, University of Nairobi, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya

¹Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi, College of Agriculture and veterinary sciences, Nairobi, Kenya

²Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, (KALRO) Kibos, Horticulture Research Center, Kenya



Email; anthonywangila94@gmail.com; ORCID: 0000-0001-9114-9625

^Supporting Information

ABSTRACT: Low quality feeds is the main challenge ailing livestock production among the small-scale farmers

in the tropics. Cheaper sources of alternative high quality fodder supplements are needed to improve livestock

productivity. The objective of this study was to determine biomass yield and quality of fodder from selected

lablab varieties. Eight lablab varieties namely, DL1002, Ngwara Nyeupe, Echo-Cream, Black-Rongai, Eldo-Kt-

Cream, Eldo-Kt-Black1, Brown Rongai and Eldo-Kt-Black2 were established in three sites of Nandi south sub

county, Kenya. Randomized complete block design was used at farm level with four replications per site. Data

on biomass yield, chemical composition and in vitro-dry matter digestibility of the eight lablab forages was

collected. Biomass yield differed significantly among the lablab varieties ranging from 5.6-12.6 t DM/ha across

the three sites. Highest biomass yield was recorded for Brown Rongai (12.6 t DM/ha) and lowest with DL1002

(5.6 t DM/ha). Crude protein (CP) content varied significantly between varieties with sites ranging from 19.6-

23.9 g/100g. Highest CP was recorded with Eldo-Kt-Cream and Black Rongai (23.9 g/100g and 23.7 g/100g)

across the three sites. For all the varieties, Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) ranged from 44.4-48.6 g/100g, acid

detergent fibre (ADF) 31.6-35.7 g/100g and acid detergent lignin (ADL) 9.0-11.9 g/100g across the three

sites. Highest NDF was recorded with DL1002 (48.6 g/100g), ADF with Eldoret-Kitale-Black2 (35.9 g/100g)

and acid detergent lignin with DL1002 (11.7 g/100g). In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) varied

significantly between varieties and sites ranging from 67.6-75.7 g/100g between the varieties across the three

sites. Eldo-Kt-cream and Black Rongai had the highest IVDMD (75.7 and 74.4 g/100g) across the three sites.

Eldoret-Kitale-Cream and Black Rongai varieties had better dry matter yield, crude protein and low fibre

fractions compared to the other varieties signifying their potential to be recommended as supplement to low

quality fodder by small-scale farmers.

Keywords: Biomass yield, Digestibility, Feed, Fodder, Lablab.

INTRODUCTION

In Kenya, livestock contributes over 12% to the Growth Domestic Product (GDP) and accounts for 47% of Agricultural GDP

(Kabubo-Mariara, 2008). The adequate provision of livestock feed is key to food security especially in the developing

countries as animals are capable of converting low quality feedstuffs into high quality foods such as meat, milk and eggs

(Amare et al., 2020). Sixty to seventy percent of livestock production costs has been attributed to feeds (Amare et al.,

2020). Increase in livestock production by small-scale farmers will majorly rely on proper utilization of locally available

feed resources to meet nutrient requirements (Bell et al., 2018). In Kenya, almost one-third of the small-scale farmers

experience insufficient livestock feeds as the main challenge especially in dry seasons (Lukuyu et al., 2011). Most farmers

feed their livestock on low quality feeds such as natural grass, maize stover, wheat straw, bean haulms and banana

pseudo stems that are deficient in protein content (Abera and Berhanu, 2017; Redae and Tekle, 2020; Yiberkew et al.,

2020). Production and use of fodder legumes is one of the cheaper ways of increasing both the quantity and quality of

livestock feeds (Sharma et al., 2018).

Dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet), a vegetable crop of Asia and Africa origin (Bhardwaj and Hamama.,

2019), was reported by Keerthi et al. (2015) as a good protein supplement for low quality animal feeds. This legume

belongs to the family Fabaceae, sub family Faboideae, tribe phaseoleae and sub-tribe Phaseolineae (Gupta et al., 2017).

The legume grows fast and can easily provide fodder within three months after planting (ILRI, 2013). It can produce

approximately 4.5-20.1 tones DM/ha depending on soil fertility and rainfall distribution (Abera and Berhanu, 2017). The

whole plant contain protein content of 13-24.5% varying from variety to variety (Heuzé et al., 2014; Bhardwaj and

Hamama, 2019) comparable with Lucerne (15%), Clover legume (20%) and Fresh faba bean (14-20%) CP (Roy et al.,

2016). It is a widely cultivated, highly drought resistant legume vegetable crop that can be grown in tropics and subtropics

where soil fertility is low to be used as human food, forage and as a cover crop for soil conservation (Kumar, 2017;

Bhardwaj and Hamama., 2019).

Citation: Wangila AJ, Gachuiri ChK, Muthomi JW and Ojiem JO (2021). Biomass yield and quality of fodder from selected varieties of lablab (Lablab Purpureus L) in

Nandi South Sub-County of Kenya. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 11(1): 28-35. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2021.6

Kumar et al. (2018) observed that the use of less costly and easily available indigenous feed resources such as

legume forages as opposed to commercial feeds had great ability to enhance livestock productivity. This study therefore

aimed at evaluating the biomass yield and quality of varieties of Lablab purpureus as a supplement to low quality fodder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Description of the study site

The study was conducted in Nandi south Sub-County in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. The altitude ranges from

1,400 m along the border with Nyando district to 2,400 m ASL in the highlands. The common soil texture type is loam and

clay. Temperatures range from 15 to 26 C and rainfall between 1200-2000 mm p.a. It has two rainy seasons; the long

rains between March and June and the short rains between October and early December and the dry season occurs from

late December to March (Onyango et al., 2016). Three sites with different climatic conditions and soil fertility were

selected within Nandi South: Koibem site with temperature of 18 ^oC, high fertile soils with nitrogen content of 0.38% and

carbon of 3.91% with annual rainfall distribution of 2,000 mm p.a., Kiptaruswo site with temperature of 20 C medium

soil fertility with nitrogen content of 0.26%, carbon content of 1.87% with annual rainfall distribution of 1,700 mm p.a.

Kapkarer site with temperature of 22 C, low soil fertility with nitrogen content of 0.16% and carbon 1.44 % with annual

rainfall distribution of 1,600 mm p.a., respectively (Omondi et al., 2011; Landon, 2014).

Experimental treatment and design

Treatments consisted of eight varieties of lablab (L. purpureus) namely: DL1002, Ngwara Nyeupe, Echo-Cream,

Black Rongai, Eldo-Kt-Cream, Eldo-Kt-Black1, Brown Rongai and Eldo-Kt-Black2. Seeds were acquired from Kenya

Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO) Kitale and were tested for viability at KALRO Kibos prior to

planting. Each Lablab variety was planted in 5×4 m plots in each of the four farms per site. The experiment was laid out in

a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with each farm representing a block comprising of eight plots. Di-

ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer was applied at the rate of 30 Kg DAP/ha mixed with the soil before seeds were

sown. Lablab seeds were sown at the onset of rains at a rate of 30kg seeds/ha with a spacing of 45 cm between rows

and 30 cm between plants and two seeds per hill. Weeding was done twice at an interval of 21 days of emergence. Data

taken included biomass yield, crude protein content, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (NDF) and acid

detergent lignin (ADL) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD).

Determination of biomass yield

At 50% flowering, a fresh sample was harvested for each variety by randomly cutting the plants 5 cm above the

ground from each plot to make approximately 1 kg for each variety per plot. The harvested materials were accurately

weighed, sealed in polythene bags for oven drying at 60 C. The rest of the plants within each plot were harvested by

cutting at 5 cm above the ground. They were placed into gunny bags and weighed using a 100 kg dial scale graduated to

the nearest 1 kg to obtain the fresh biomass yield per plot. After drying the fresh samples in an oven of 60 C to a

constant weight, the new weight was recorded and the samples were ground using a Wiley mill standard model No. 3 with

sieve of 0.5 mm. The dry matter content was then determined by drying in an oven at 105 C for 5hrs. Subsequently, the

biomass yield (dry matter) per ha was estimated through extrapolation from the plot size by multiplying the wet weight

obtained per plot by the percentage dry matter to get dry matter yield per unit area .

Determination of nutrient composition

Dried milled samples were analyzed for crude protein content following the procedure of AOAC (1995). Neutral

detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were determined using the method of

Van Soest et al. (1991). The two-stage in vitro dry matter digestibility was determined following the procedure of Tilley and

Terry (1963).

Data analysis

The data on biomass yield per unit area, crude protein, fibre fractions and in vitro-dry matter digestibility for different

L purpureus varieties were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for variation between varieties (both within and

between sites). The significant means were separated using Tukey’s statistical test at a significant level of 5%.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Biomass yield of different Lablab purpureus varieties

Dry matter yield of the lablab varieties differed significantly (P<0.05) both within and between sites except in

Kapkarer site (Table 1). Within Kiptaruswo, highest dry matter yield was recorded with variety Brown Rongai and lowest

with Echo-Cream. In Koibem high dry matter yield was observed with variety Brown Rongai while Eldoret-Kitale-Cream

recorded lowest dry matter yield. Between sites, Echo-Cream variety recorded the highest dry matter yield in Koibem

compared with Kapkarer and Kiptaruswo. Eldo-Kt-Cream recorded the highest dry matter yield in Kapkarer compared to

Kiptaruswo and Koibem. The rest of the varieties had no significant differences in dry matter yields between the sites.

Citation: Wangila AJ, Gachuiri ChK, Muthomi JW and Ojiem JO (2021). Biomass yield and quality of fodder from selected varieties of lablab (Lablab Purpureus L) in

Nandi South Sub-County of Kenya. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 11(1): 28-35. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2021.6

Low dry matter yield was observed for early flowering varieties (40-45 days after emergence) as these varieties did

not exhibit bushy growth characteristics, had fewer branches thus minimal foliage. The dry matter yields of lablab

varieties within this study were within 4.5-9.6 t DM/ha reported earlier by Amole et al. (2013); Bowen et al. (2018) and

Tulu et al. (2018). However the yields were higher than 4 t DM/ha reported by Hassan et al. (2014). The differences in dry

matter yield in this study could be attributed to genetic variations among the lablab varieties (Amole et al., 2013; Tulu et

al., 2018) or difference in rainfall distribution and soil fertility within the three sites (Omondi, et al., 2011; Kebede et al.,

2016).

The between site variations could be attributed to environmental variability, variations in soil moisture content, the

initial plant populations per plot and soil types as these factors were reported by Hassan et al. (2014) and Kebede et al.

(2016) to cause dry matter yield fluctuations in lablab. Different soil characteristics between the three sites was reported

by Omondi et al. (2011) as sandy loam soils in Kapkarer and clay soils in Kiptaruswo and Koibem, this might have also

caused variation in dry matter yields of lablab between sites. In an earlier study, Landon (2014) reported that Koibem site

had high, Kiptaruswo medium and Kapkarer low fertile soils. As such, the high biomass yields per unit area in Koibem

could be attributed to high fertile soils that supported robust growth of lablab. This could also mean that each of the

lablab varieties has different environmental adaptations in which they can derive well compared to others (Tulu et al.,

2018). However, the dry matter yields obtained in this study were within the range 5-14 t DM/ha that was reported by

Hassan et al. (2014) as the satisfactory dry matter yield for good forage legume.

Table 1 - Dry matter yields of Lablab Purpureus varieties in the study area

Sites

Kapkarer

Kiptaruswo

Koibem

Mean

Lablab varieties

Ton DM /ha

Black-Rongai

Brown Rongai

DL1002

8.2

11.9

6.1

6.8^abx

10.5^ax

6.0^abx

3.9^by

5.6^bx

7.7^abx

5.2^by

8.9^bcx

15.4^ax

4.8^cx

12.1^abx

6.4^bcx

5.6^cx

4.4^cy

8.7^bcx

8.3^a

8.0^b

12.6^a

5.6^b

7.0^b

6.5^b

6.8^b

6.3^b

6.8^b

1.5

2.9

0.7

1.3

0.9

1.2

1.7

Echo-Cream

Eldo-Kt-Black1

Eldo-Kt Black2

Eldo-Kt-Cream

Ngwara Nyeupe

Mean

5.0

7.6

7.2

9.5

6.0

5.5^bx

6.4^a

7.7^a

1.87

5.5

7.5

1.0

1.3

0.97

2.73

<.001**

LSD

2.95

3.82

P Value

0.263^ns

0.007**

<.001**

Eldo: Eldoret; Kt: Kitale; DL: Dry land variety; ^abcValues with different superscripts within column are significantly different; ^xyzValues with

different superscripts within row are significantly different (*P<0.05; **P<0.001; ns: Non-significant.

Crude protein of different varieties of Lablab purpureus

The crude protein content of different lablab varieties within and between sites is shown in Table 2. Crude protein of

lablab varieties varied significantly (P<0.05) both within and between the sites. The mean crude protein was significantly

higher with lablabs that were grown in Koibem compared to those that were grown in Kapkarer and Kiptaruswo.

Kiptaruswo, highest CP was recorded with DL1002 while lowest with Brown Rongai. In Koibem site, high CP content was

recorded with variety Eldo-Kt-Cream and Black Rongai while lowest with Echo-Cream. There was significant interaction of

CP content between lablab varieties and sites. The CP content of similar varieties was higher in Koibem compared with

same in Kapkarer and Kiptaruswo. Across the three sites, Eldo-Kt-Cream and Black-Rongai had the highest mean crude

protein content while Brown Rongai and Echo-Cream variety had the lowest.

In general, crude protein content of the eight lablab varieties in this study ranged from 18.0 to 26.5 g/100g. This

was in agreement with results from other studies (18-23 g/100g) when the whole lablab plant was harvested at 50%

flowering (Heuzé et al., 2014; Tulu et al., 2018; Bhardwaj and Hamama, 2019). Lower CP content of the whole lablab

plant has also been reported in various studies ranging from 15-17 g/100g (Mbuthia et al., 2003; Njarui et al., 2003 and

Mapiye et al., 2007). Crude protein is one of the indices that is usually used to assess the feed quality (Liu et al., 2019).

The variability of CP content in lablab varieties in this study enables us to choose the suitable variety that can be used as

a supplement for low quality forges (Geleti et al., 2013). The variations in crude protein content among the varieties of

lablab and across the sites in this study and with those by others was attributed to difference in genotypes and soil fertility

(Geleti et al., 2013; Kebede et al., 2016; Tulu et al., 2018; Washaya et al., 2018). Additionally, the low crude protein

content in Brown Rongai variety could be explained by observation by Washaya et al. (2018) that biomass yield of legume

forages were negatively correlated with their quality. According to Kazemi et al. (2012), legume forages with CP above

19% were considered of high quality while those with <8% CP were regarded as of low quality hence cannot be used as a

supplement for low quality fodder. Tulu et al. (2018) reported that most herbaceous legumes >15% CP could support

Citation: Wangila AJ, Gachuiri ChK, Muthomi JW and Ojiem JO (2021). Biomass yield and quality of fodder from selected varieties of lablab (Lablab Purpureus L) in

Nandi South Sub-County of Kenya. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 11(1): 28-35. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2021.6

growth and lactation of dairy animals. This indicates that the CP values of all lablab varieties in this study met the

threshold of being used as a supplement to low quality feeds for lactating animals (Geleti et al., 2013).

Table 2 - Crude protein content (g/100g) of Lablab Purpureus varieties

Sites

Kapkarer

Kiptaruswo

Koibem

Mean

Lablab varieties

Crude Protein content

Black-Rongai

Brown Rongai

DL1002

21.2

19.3

18.7

19.6

18.6

22.0

21.7

20.6

20.2^a

1.02

3.01

0.159^ns

24.1^abxy

18.0^cx

26.3^ax

20.5^bcx

22.6^abx

20.9^bcy

23.6^abxy

20.2^bcx

22.0^b

25.6^abx

21.4^bcx

23.1^abcx

20.0^cx

24.7^abcx

25.8^abx

26.5^ax

22.5^abcx

23.7^c

23.7^a

19.6^b

22.7^ab

20.0^b

22.0^ab

22.9^ab

23.9^a

21.1^ab

22.0

1.0

1.1

0.9

1.3

0.9

1.1

1.2

1.0

Echo-Cream

Eldo-Kt-Black1

Eldo-Kt-Black2

Eldo-Kt-Cream

Ngwara Nyeupe

Mean

0.92

1.04

0.79

LSD

2.7

3.06

2.21

P Value

<.001**

0.002**

<.001**

Eldo: Eldoret; Kt: Kitale; DL: Dry land variety; ^abcValues with different superscripts within column are significantly different; ^xyzValues with

different superscripts within row are significantly different (*P<0.05; **P<0.001; ns: Non-significant.

Fibre fraction of eight selected Lablab purpureus varieties

The fibre fractions of the eight Lablab purpureus varieties are shown in Table 3. There were significant differences

(P<0.05) between fibre fractions of the lablab varieties both within and between the sites. Higher neutral detergent fibre

(NDF) was recorded for lablab varieties harvested in Kapkarer site (mean=51.4 g/100g) and lowest in those established

in Koibem (mean=42.9 g/100g). In Kapkarer and Kiptaruswo, all the varieties had similar NDF content unlike in Koibem

site. In Koibem, DL1002 variety had the highest NDF while lowest recorded with varieties; Echo Cream and Black-Rongai

respectively. Between the sites, NDF content of all the lablab varieties varied significantly except DL1002 which had

similar NDF content within the three sites. Across the three sites, DL1002 had the highest NDF while Black-Rongai variety

had the lowest. Eldo-Kt-Black2 recorded the highest acid detergent fibre (ADF) in Kapkarer site while Eldo-Kt-Black1 had

the lowest. In Kiptaruswo, highest ADF was recorded with Eldo-Kt-Cream and lowest with Black Rongai. Within Koibem

site, high ADF was recorded with Black Rongai variety and lowest with Eldo-Kt-Cream. The ADF content of the varieties

varied significantly between sites except DL1002 and Ngwara Nyeupe. Across the three sites, highest ADF was recorded

with Eldo-Kt-Black2 with Eldoret-Kitale-Cream having the lowest. Within Kapkarer site, Eldo-Kt-Cream had the highest acid

detergent lignin (ADL) and Eldo-Kt-Black1 the lowest. In Kiptaruswo, no significant variation was observed in ADL content

among the varieties of lablab. Within Koibem, Eldo-Kt-Black1 had the highest ADL and Echo Cream the lowest. Between

the sites, Eldo-Kt-Black1 recorded the highest ADL in Koibem and Kiptaruswo than in Kapkarer. Eldo-Kt-Cream had the

highest ADL in Kapkarer than in Koibem. In general, high ADL was observed for Eldo-Kt-Cream with Echo Cream having

the lowest across the three sites.

The NDF content of the eight lablab varieties in this study ranged from 44.4 g/100g and 48.6 g/100g across the

three sites. Similarly, NDF content of the whole lablab plant 45-48 g/100g has been reported by others (Heuzé et al.,

2014; Bhardwaj and Hamama, 2019). However, lower NDF content of 40.09 and 39.0 g/100g for the whole lablab plant

was reported by Ahmad et al. (2000) and Mbuthia et al. (2003). The whole fiber fraction of fodder is confined in the NDF

or cell walls and it gives the best approximation of the entire fiber content of a feed. The neutral detergent fibre is

negatively associated with feed intake with its increase in forage reduces feed consumption (Garcia et al., 2003). The

study by Geleti et al. (2013) and Yiberkew et al. (2020) indicated that, forage plants with NDF content less than 45% were

regarded as of high quality while those between 45-65% were medium quality and above 65% as low quality forage.

Profile of NDF content from the eight lablab varieties in this study were of high quality in Koibem sites while Kapkarer and

Kiptaruswo were of medium quality. Therefore, all the lablab varieties in this study had acceptable NDF content for

ruminant animals.

The variation in NDF content between varieties of lablab in this study could also be due to genetic variations among

the lablab varieties that were used (Amole et al., 2013). The between site variations in NDF content could be due to

variation in soil fertility between the sites. Studies by Turk (2010); Kebede et al. (2016) and Yiberkew et al. (2020)

indicated that, fertile soils increases the forage dry matter yield and crude protein content which results in reduction of

NDF and ADF content by accumulation of more foliage than structural features. This observation is consistent with the

results of NDF content of lablab varieties in in this study/ Koibem site, with higher fertile soils, had lablab with lower NDF

content compared to Kapkarer site.

Citation: Wangila AJ, Gachuiri ChK, Muthomi JW and Ojiem JO (2021). Biomass yield and quality of fodder from selected varieties of lablab (Lablab Purpureus L) in

Nandi South Sub-County of Kenya. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 11(1): 28-35. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2021.6

Table 3 - Fibre fractions (%) of various Lablab purpureus varieties grown in the study area

% Neutral detergent fibre (NDF)

% Acid detergent fibre (ADF)

% Acid detergent lignin

Sites

Varieties of lablab

Black Rongai

Brown Rongai

DL1002

Kap

49.5

53.2

52.2

49.5

50.0

55.5

53.0

48.5

Kip

Koi

Mean

44.4^b

Kap

Kip

Koi

Mean

35.7^ab

33.0^ab

32.8^ab

34.5^ab

32.2^ab

35.9^a

Kap

9.8^abx

9.3^abx

12.7^ax

9.6^abx

7.3^by

Kip

9.1

Koi

Mean

9.6^ab

43.2

49.4

46.7

45.1

43.8

46.1

44.6

40.4^cy

41.1^cy

47.0^ax

40.4^cy

45.9^abxy

43.3^bcy

41.4^cz

43.6^abcy

0.97

0.94

2.13

1.23

1.66

1.99

0.55

0.93

33.0^bcy

34.4^bx

33.8^bcx

32.4^bcy

28.5^cy

42.1^ax

33.4^bcx

33.5^bcx

28.7^cy

36.2^abx

30.1^cx

29.4^dy

34.6^abx

35.1^aby

37.0^ax

31.2^bx

45.4^ax

28.3^bcy

34.4^bx

41.8^ax

33.4^bx

30.4^bcz

24.4^cy

33.7^bx

1.8

1.2

1.9

1.1

1.3

0.8

0.9

1.0

9.8^abx

1.2

0.8

1.2

0.7

0.8

0.4

0.9

0.6

47.9^ab

48.6^a

9.7

11.2^abx

10.8^abx

8.0^bx

10.1^ab

11.7^a

9.0^b

11.6

9.5

Echo Cream

Eldo-Kt-Black1

Eldo-Kt-Black2

Eldo-Kt-Cream

Ngwara Nyeupe

Mean

45.0^ab

46.6^ab

48.3^ab

46.8^ab

45.5^ab

10.0

12.2

10.6

12.1^ax

11.1^abx

10.1^aby

10.1^abx

9.8^ab

11.3^abx

13.3^ax

11.1^abx

11.5^a

11.9^a

10.6^ab

31.6^b

32.8^ab

51.4^a

45.6^b

42.9^c

46.6

33.9^a

32.8^a

34^a

33.6

10.6^a

10.4^a

10.5

1.62

4.76

1.85

5.44

0.77

2.26

1.48

4.19

1.17

3.44

1.92

5.64

1.49

4.4

1.51

4.26

0.88

2.58

1.05

3.08

0.74

2.19

0.88

2.47

LSD

<.001*

<.001* <.001*

0.251

0.001*

P Value

0.072^ns0.393^ns<.001** <.001**

0.026*

0.002**

0.033*

Kap: Kapkarer; Kip: Kiptaruswo; Koi: Koibem; Eldo: Eldoret; Kt: Kitale; DL: Dry land Variety; ^abcValues with different superscripts within column are significantly different; ^xyzValues with different superscripts within row

are significantly different (*P<0.05; **P<0.001); ns: Non-significant

Citation: Wangila AJ, Gachuiri ChK, Muthomi JW and Ojiem JO (2021). Biomass yield and quality of fodder from selected varieties of lablab (Lablab Purpureus L) in Nandi South Sub-County of Kenya. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 11(1): 28-35. DOI:

https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2021.6

The range in ADF content for all the varieties of lablab in this study was 31.6 g/100g to 35.7 g/100g. These values

were in agreement with 33-35 g/100g ADF reported earlier in the whole lablab forage by several authors (Heuzé et al., in

2014; Washaya et al., 2018; Bhardwaj and Hamama, 2019). Lower ADF content of 25-28 g/100g in lablab fodder was

also reported by Ahmad et al. (2000) and Mbuthia et al. (2003). Acid detergent fibre is an indication of the degree of

cellulose and lignin in forage. It is negatively associated with general digestibility; high ADF feed is less digestible (Garcia

et al., 2003). The difference in ADF content among the varieties of lablab could be due to genetic variation among the

varieties. According to Kazemi et al. (2012), legume forage with less than 31% ADF content was regarded as of high

quality, while that greater than 55% NDF was regarded as poor quality. Conversely, Geleti et al. (2013) and Yiberkew et al.

(2020) noted that, forage plant with less than 40% ADF was regarded as of high quality while those with greater than 40%

as of poor quality. The ADF values of all the lablab varieties in this study therefore were of high quality.

The lignin content of the lablab varieties in this study ranged from 9.0 to 11.9 g/100g. These were within the range

of 6.3 to 13.7 g/100g reported in the whole lablab plant by several authors (Ahmad et al., 2000; Heuzé et al., 2014;

Bhardwaj and Hamama, 2019). Lignin is a polymer fraction of the plant cell walls that offers rigidity and mechanical

support to plants and is not digestible by animal enzymes. It increases with plant maturity and was reported to be greater

when the same plant species are established under warm weather conditions (Garcia et al., 2003). The figures of ADL

content for the eight lablab varieties were close and some beyond the maximum level of 10% that is required to limit

forage use by ruminant animals in this study (Geleti et al., 2013; Yiberkew et al., 2020). The difference in lignin content

among the varieties of lablab in this study might be due to genetic differences between the varieties and different climatic

conditions within the three sites (Amole et al., 2013; Kebede et al., 2016).

In vitro dry matter digestibility of different lablab varieties

In vitro-dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of the different L. purpureus varieties is shown in Table 4. The IVDMD differed

significantly (P<0.05) among the varieties both within and between the sites apart from in Kapkarer. Of the three sites,

highest mean dry matter digestibility was recorded for varieties that were established at Koibem site compared to those

established in Kapkarer and Kiptaruswo. At Kiptaruswo site high dry matter digestibility was recorded for Eldo-Kt-Cream

and Black-Rongai variety with the lowest for Eldo-Kt-Black2. In Koibem, high dry matter digestibility was recorded with

Eldo-Kt-Cream and Black Rongai variety, while lowest was DL1002. Between the sites, all the varieties, except Eldo-Kt-

Black1, varied significantly in IVDMD. Across the three sites, highest dry matter digestibility was recorded for Eldo-Kt-

Cream and Black Rongai while lowest for DL1002, Brown Rongai and Ngwara Nyeupe.

Table 4 - In vitro-dry matter digestibility (%) of Lablab varieties grown in different sites

Sites

Kapkarer

Kiptaruswo

Koibem

Mean

Lablab varieties

In vitro-dry matter digestibility

Black Rongai

Brown Rongai

DL1002

68.6

69.4

69.2

68.6

68.3

72.5

70.3

69.6

69.6^b

1.58

4.66

0.663^ns

75.3^ay

60.5^bcz

72.1^ax

71.7^ay

71.2^ax

59.6^cy

76.3^axy

70.6^abx

69.7^b

79.4^abx

73.7^bx

61.4^cy

76.5^abx

74.8^abx

75.8^abx

80.4^ax

65.4^cy

73.4^a

74.4^ab

67.8^b

67.6^b

72.3^ab

71.4^ab

69.3^ab

75.7^a

68.5^b

70.9

0.64

0.97

1.67

1.09

2.13

2.15

1.54

1.36

Echo Cream

Eldo-Kt-Black1

Eldo-Kt-Black2

Eldo-Kt-Cream

Ngwara Nyeupe

Mean

2.22

1.2

1.62

LSD

6.52

<.001^**

3.53

<.001^**

4.54

0.002^**

P Value

Eldo- Eldoret, Kt- Kitale, DL- Dry land Variety, ^abcValues with different superscripts within column are significantly different ^xyzValues with

different superscripts within row are significantly different (*P<0.05; **P<0.001), ns:Non-significant.

The in vitro-dry matter digestibility of various lablab that were tested in this study ranged from 67.6 to 75.7 g/100g

across the three sites. Mapiye et al. (2007) reported the in vitro-dry matter digestibility of the whole lablab plant to range

from 55 to 76 g/100g in agreement with those obtained in this study. However Ahmad et al. (2000) and Tulu et al. (2018)

reported a lower dry matter digestibility of lablab foliage as 39.7-50.9 g/100g. The variation in IVDMD in this study with

other authors could be due to difference in varieties of lablab that were used and their fibre content (Meale et al., 2012;

Tulu et al., 2018). The fibre fractions in legume forages has been the major challenge in their adequate utilization in

animal nutrition (Washaya et al., 2018). The high fibre fractions in a forage leads to low dry matter intake and digestibility

as opposed to lower fibre fractions (Washaya et al., 2018). Varieties with high dry matter digestibility in this study such as

Eldo-Kt-Cream and Black-Rongai were associated with high crude protein that increased microbial activities for organic

Citation: Wangila AJ, Gachuiri ChK, Muthomi JW and Ojiem JO (2021). Biomass yield and quality of fodder from selected varieties of lablab (Lablab Purpureus L) in

Nandi South Sub-County of Kenya. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 11(1): 28-35. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2021.6

matter breakdown low NDF, ADF and ADL content. Varieties with low dry matter digestibility such as DL1002, Ngwara

Nyeupe and Brown Rongai were associated with high NDF, ADF and ADL and late maturity. The difference in dry matter

digestibility could also be attributed to genetic differences among the lablab varieties and the climatic conditions of the

location where plants within cool environment are associated with high dry matter digestibility as opposed to warm

environment (Baloyi et al., 2013).

CONCLUSION

From the study, it can be concluded that biomass yield and nutrient content varied with lablab variety and production site.

According present findings, variety Brown-Rongai was suitable for all sites and can be recommended as a supplement to

low quality animal fodder.

DECLARATIONS

Corresponding author’s E-mail: anthonywangila94@gmail.com

Author’s contribution

Due to site variation with biomass yields of lablab varieties, Kapkarer farmers can grow Brown-Rongai, Eldoret-

Kitale-Cream and Black-Rongai, all authors has similar attempts in all process of conduction and writing of present study.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the McKnight Foundation under the project of Multipurpose Legumes for funding

the study.

Conflict of interests

The author declare that there is no conflict of interests on this work

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