Discussions regarding cover crops for Madagascar
(12/3/01 - 12/4/01)

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postings: 2
countries: United States, Benin
organizations/institutions/companies: CIEPCA, Cornell University

From: Rainer Asse
Sent: lundi 3 décembre 2001
Subject: Cover crops for Madagascar

Dear all,
I have tried to use the Lexsys database to find cover crops that fit specific parameters for upland farming systems in Madagascar. Unfortunately, I've been unable to run Lexsys. Could anyone help me identify some possible cover crop species that match the following requirements/parameters:

Cover crop species that complement: acid soils (pH 4.5-5.5); an annual rainfall of more than 2200 MM; altitude of 500-700m; a mean temperature of 21 C; that are either annual or perennial; competitive with weeds but non-invasive; that are good ground cover and establish slowly; can perhaps tolerate shade in early growth stages (to facilitate integration into current crop rotation patterns); N-fixing if possible.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Rainer Asse
Cornell University

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To: mulch-l@cornell.edu
Subject: RE: Cover crops for Madagascar
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001
Subject : Cover crops for Madagascar Parts

Dear Rainer,
I got the following output from Lexsys:
Selection:
Contrib.

1. Calopogonium mucunoides Desv.
2. Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.
3. Crotalaria juncea L.
4. Desmodium heterocarpon (L.)
DC.
5. Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.
6. Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth.
7. Tephrosia vogelii Hook.f.

Selection based on the following query terms:

• Adapted to pH-value ( 4.60- 0.00)
• Adapted to precipitation (1500.00-2500.00)
• Adapted to altitude ( 400.00- 0.00)
• Adapted to temperature ( 21.00- 25.00)
• Weed supression ( 1.50- 1.90)
• Soil nitrogen contribution ( 1.50- 1.90)

But I did not find an option where I can choose the criteria "non-invasive" . I know that Calopogonium mucunoides is invasive. Please note also that Tephrosia vogelii is rather a shrub than a cover crop. It's like Cajanus cajan. But it's very interesting because it gives a lot leaves that fall naturally on the soil (mulch). Why did your lexsys not work? I will send another diskette to Lucy Fisher for you and for other Mulch-L people in Cornell. Please have a copy with Lucy. I will send it by the post office tomorrow.

Bye, Albert Eteka
CIEPCA, BENIN

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NOTE: LEXSYS IS NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD AT ftp://ftp.bangor.ac.uk/pub/departments/af/LEXSYS/