HERBAL FORAGE LEGUME VINES, NEGLECTED PLANT RESOURCES IN THE DRY TROPICS

Abstract

The valuation of a species as plant genetic resource is important for its use, conservation and improvement. Several forage species of native legumes can be integrated into animal production systems in the dry tropics, but this requires knowing their level of valuation, so that their use continue. This study assessed the value that producers of ruminants give to native forage legumes Macroptilium atropurpureum [(Moc. & Sesse ex DC.) Urban], Macroptilium lathyroides [(L.) Urban] and Phaseolus acutifolius (A. Gray) in the Mixteca Baja Poblana region. Based on random statistical sampling, 94 producers were interviewed. The degree of valuation of legumes was obtained by means of indexes in which management (MI), forage value (FVI) and knowledge (KI) were included. The low values for MI (0.0205) and FVI (0.4450) indicate that producers do not handle legumes as fodder and give them little value as feed for ruminants. The high value of KI (0.811) means that producers distinguish the species as part of the native vegetation of the region. It is concluded that the knowledge, management and valuation of these native species as forage in the study region is scarce. There is no appreciation in the region for these species, and therefore, there is no conscious use of these native forages, which, due to their availability and adaptation, could expand the distribution and diversification of local forage resources.