Prioritisation of native legume species for further evaluation as potential forage crops in water-limited agricultural systems in South Africa

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment Vol. 189; no. 10; p. 512
• Main Authors: Müller, Francuois L., Raitt, Lincoln M., Chimphango, Samson B. M., Samuels, M. Igshaan, Cupido, Clement F., Boatwright, J. Stephen, Knight, Richard, Trytsman, Marike
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.10.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agricultural ecosystems; agricultural land; Agriculture - methods; agroecosystems; Arid zones; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biomass; Climate Change; Crops; Crops, Agricultural - growth & development; Desert Climate; Dryland farming; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecological distribution; Ecology; Ecosystem; Ecosystems; Ecotoxicology; edaphic factors; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental monitoring; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Evaluation; Fabaceae - growth & development; Farming; Farming systems; Farms; Forage; Forage crops; forage quality; Forage species; Ice; Indigenous knowledge; Indigenous Peoples' knowledge; Indigenous plants; Indigenous species; Legumes; Modelling; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Niches; prioritization; Rain; Rainfall; South Africa; Species; Water - analysis; South Africa; Arid environments; Leguminosae; Perennial forage species; Ecological niche models; South African native legumes; Fabaceae
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6230-x

In the face of climate change, identification of forage species suitable for dryland farming under low rainfall conditions in South Africa is needed. Currently, there are only a limited number of forage species suitable for dryland farming under such conditions. The objective of this study was to identify and prioritise native legume species that could potentially be used in dryland farming systems in water-limited agro-ecosystems in South Africa. Using a combination of ecological niche modelling techniques, plant functional traits, and indigenous knowledge, 18 perennial herbaceous or stem-woody legume species were prioritised for further evaluation as potential fodder species within water-limited agricultural areas. These species will be evaluated further for their forage quality and their ability to survive and produce enough biomass under water limitation and poor edaphic conditions.