Performance of legume mixtures under small-plot periodic grazing

The potential of pastures sown with species mixtures of tropical legume spe cies compared with single species was investigated in subhumid west Africa, over a period of three grazing seasons. Through compensation and complemen tation of the individual legume species, the mixtures were seasonally and t emporally (seasonal refers to different seasons in a year, temporal to diff erent years) more stable than the single species stands. Crude protein cont ents of individual legumes in the mixtures were higher than of the same spe cies grown in single stands, indicating possible synergistic effects in the mixtures. The ability of legume mixtures to withstand environmental and ma nagement variations and, thus, their subsequent potential for on-farm utili zation under farmers' conditions are discussed.