Lablab (Dolichos lablab) is an annual legume grown for livestock fodder or as a green manure cover crop. “Lablab is an extremely valuable protein source for human and animal feed,” note Grain SA’s Dr Hendrik Smith et al in ‘Integrated crop and pasture-based livestock production systems’. It improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, thanks to the symbiotic relationship between the plant and soil rhizobium bacteria.
Lablab is also well known as a cover crop for rotation with other crops. It is rich in minerals, especially phosphorus, calcium and vitamins A and D.
The crop is drought-tolerant and can grow where the annual rainfall is less than 500mmm. It can also survive in hot conditions, and thrives in a temperature range of between 15°C and 30°C.
Lablab can also sustain growth at very low temperatures, but not for too long, and it can be damaged by frost.
The species particularly proves its worth in autumn, providing valuable feed between summer and winter seasons.
SOIL REQUIREMENTS
This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Protests in Poland turn violent
The farmers’ protest in Poland is fast becoming known as the most violent agricultural protest in Europe, according to national media.
Banana Hall of Fame celebrates banana industry
In celebration of its 125th Bananaversary, Dole Food in the US recently established a National Banana Hall of Fame to honour culinary and cultural institutions that have helped to establish bananas as one of the world’s most popular and most purchased fruit.
Underutilised crops come into their own
Diverse food systems are the focus of collaborative efforts at UKZN, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Why cybersecurity is needed in farming
The agriculture sector could be the most susceptible to cyberattacks.
Minister launches third National Status of Biological Invasions in SA programme
Biological invasions need to be treated as an urgent matter as they pose a risk to water security as well as biodiversity, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Two brothers who left their mark on SA
Born in Germany, Alfred and Otto Beit came to the Transvaal's diamond fields in the late 1800s, helping to found mining companies and build crucial infrastructure, writes Graham Jooste.
Driving impressions: Honda Elevate 1,5
Honda SA is back to its best in terms of packaging, build quality, value-for-money and efficiency with a new entry to the hotly contested compact SUV market. Ian McLaren for CAR tested the vehicle at its launch.
Starting a small-farm vegetable project: Part 2
The process of developing a small vegetable farm is gradual and the full benefits will only be realised later, writes Bill Kerr.
Basic vaccination and health protocols for pigs
Pigs are usually produced in intensive environments such as purpose-built piggeries, sties, or even enclosed sheds.
Saving Nigeria's forest elephants
Nigeria risks losing all its forest elephants. This is what Rosemary Iriowen Egonmwan, professor of environmental physiology of animals at the University of Lagos, and Bola Oboh, professor of genetics at the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics at the University of Lagos, found when they went looking for them.