Abstract
In Niger, livestock feed is mainly based on natural pasture and crop residues. With climate change and demographic pressure, available land for grazing is becoming less; it is also becoming populated by invasive plants that are not palatable to animals, and consequently fodder deficits are being recorded in each agricultural season. This study assessed the effect of cutting and harvesting at the physiological maturity of dolichos on fodder production in the prone Sahel area, Niger. Four morphotypes of dolichos (Lablab purpureus) were evaluated in a randomised block design. The results indicated that there was no significant difference for biomass yield between the morphotypes at maturity (P = 0.46), but there were differences between cuttings (P = 0.018). The growth parameters (leaf area per plant, specific leaf area and leaf area index) did not vary significantly between morphotypes, but a highly significant difference was noted between the cuttings for the leaf area per plant (P = 0.0001) and the specific leaf area (P = 0.0001). The results indicated a drop in productivity after the first two cuts due to high plant mortality. The results of this study can contribute to the continuous short-term production of fodder for livestock feed in peri-urban areas of Niger.