Indication
It is a legume recommended for low fertility soils. It has good adaptation/symbiosis with various types of soil Rhizobium, therefore high absorption of atmospheric nitrogen, and when ingested by cattle provides excellent nutritional quality feed (18 to 23% CP). Despite this, palatability is low, a factor that provides greater persistence in mixed pastures. It has good drought tolerance and is sensitive to frost. Recommended for intercropping with all forage grasses.
Macrotyloma axillare cv. Java
Low fertility soils
Intercropped grazing with forage grass
5 to 9 t/ha/year of dry matter (DM)
18 to 23%
Approximately 40cm
High
Medium to low
Good
Medium
Perennial
Use and Management
Java is a climbing legume with excellent potential for intercropping with various pasture varieties available in the market. Because the plant wraps around the leaves of the pastures, it adapts more easily to different sizes of forage. It is recommended for low fertility soils, especially with nitrogen deficiency. Due to its low palatability, cattle tend to feed on its leaves less frequently, a factor that aids in its persistence in intercropped pastures and also in its management.
Origin
Result of artificial crossing between the Guatá (IZ) and Archer (Australian) cultivars, conducted by Matsuda in 1999.
Morphological Characteristics
erennial legume, herbaceous, twining vine, with branches of fine pubescence, trifoliate leaves, with elliptical leaflets measuring 6.1 cm in length and 3.5 cm in width, slightly pubescent on both sides. Racemose inflorescence with pale yellow flowers.
Agronomic Characteristics
Plant adapted to tropical and subtropical climates with precipitation above 900mm annually, sensitive to frost, but recovering quite well after its occurrence. Another important characteristic of this legume is its good adaptation to low-fertility, sandy, and acidic soils, although it responds very well to fertilization and in soils of good fertility. It has medium to low palatability, a factor that helps in the persistence of the legume, especially in associations with grasses, and it grows in any type of soil, provided it is well-drained. It tolerates drought well and responds to phosphorus and potassium fertilization. A very vigorous and aggressive plant, it produces flowers and seeds throughout the year, concentrating flowering in June. The pods are dehiscent and elastic, and upon maturation, they 'shoot' the seeds at considerable distances (up to 1m), promoting a natural expansion of the cultivar in the area. The seed production potential is around 350 to 500 kg/ha/year.
