Resumen de Evaluation of accessions of Centrosema pubescens in dry regions of Zulia state, Venezuela

Jesus Faria-Marmol, Zuleima Chirinos, Ignacio González

• Twenty five accessions of Centrosema pubescens, two of Centrosema acutifolium, and one of Centrosema brasilianum, were evaluated for adaptation, dry matter production (DMP), crude protein (CP) content, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), growth characteristics and pure seed production, in two regions of Zulia State, Venezuela: “El Laberinto” (sandy loam Alfisol ; annual rainfall of 971mm; dry tropical forest), and “La Cañada”(sandy loam Aridisol; annual rainfall of 600 mm; very dry tropical forest). The accessions were planted in a completly randomized block design, with three replications. Evaluations were made every 12 weeks during both rainy (RS) and dry season (DS). At “El Laberinto” the C. pubescens accessions 15 160, 5 169, 5 627, 15 133, 438, 5 167, 5 189, 15 872, and 15 144 were outstanding, with DMP ranging from 12.96 to 9.84 t/ha. CP was 18.76% in DS, and 21.41% in RS. Inversely, IVMOD was higher during the DS (56%) than in the RS (46.6%). At “La Cañada”, C. pubescens 15 150 had the highest DMP with 13.5 t/ha, followed by C. acutifolium 5 568, C. pubescens 15 144 and 15 160 with 10.4, 10.32, and 10.24 t/ha, respectively. CP was 16.74% in DS, and 18.73% in RS. Again, IVMOD was higher in DS (54.5%) than in RS (53.74%). C. pubescens 15 160, 5 167, 5 169 y 5 189 are the most promising accessions for “El Laberinto” and C. pubescens 15 150, 15 160, 15 144, 5 627, and C. acutifolium 5 568 for “La Cañada”.