In smallholder agriculture, green manure legumes can play a major role in conservation agriculture and improve farm productivity. They are fast growing, hence accumulates high biomass within a short period. They can increase plant nutrient supply in the soil especially nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation and improve crop yields. They are deep rooting and thus lead to improved soil structure and recycling of nutrients. They provide good ground cover, which minimizes soil erosion through reduction of raindrop impact and runoff and improves soil physical properties. They smoother weeds, even the obnoxious ones like Striga hermonitica, thus reducing labour for weed control. They are an important source of human food and livestock feed. 

 

The Legume Research Network Project was started in 1994 (by then known as the Legume Screening Network) to evaluate and identify suitable legume species for different agro-ecological environments and to subsequently incorporate the "best bets" into the existing farming systems. Initial network activities included screening of about 40 legume species, among them, green manuring species, food legumes and forage species, in 11 sites across Kenya, especially where soil infertility had been identified as a major problem for crop production. Over the years, the network extended its activities to cover research on legume residue management, integrated nutrient management, livestock feeding studies and to assess the value of the legumes in controlling striga (Striga hermonthica), a noxious weed common in western Kenya.

 

Presented in this datasheet are the best-bet green manure legumes for the different agroecological zones in Kenya, research highlights of potential benefits of the legumes, potential niches for GM legume technologies including cropping systems for incorporating the legumes into smallholder farms.