THE EFFECT OF FREQUENCY OF DEFOLIATION ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SELECTED FORAGE LEGUMES (STYLOSANTHES-HAMATA, STYLOSANTHES-CAPITATA AND CENTROSEMA-PASCUORUM) IN THE SUBHUMID ZONE OF NIGERIA

The dry matter yield, nutritive value and persistence of three legume species (Stylosanthes hamata Taub., S. capitata Vog. and Centrosema pa scuorum Mart. ex. Benth.) cut at different frequencies during the grow ing season or only once at the end of the growing season were compared . The shorter cutting intervals enhanced regrowth, but very frequent c utting reduced total dry matter and seed yields. A defoliation interva l of three to six weeks is recommended. Generally, S. hamata gave the best performance.