SLENDER LEAF RATTLEBOX

Descrizione

Crotalaria ochroleuca is an annual herbaceous plant utilized for fiber, forage, and as a green manure cover crop. Reaching heights of 2.5 m, C. ochroleuca bears long, slender, trifoliate leaves and five-petalous blooms (banner, wing, and keel) similar to other legumes.

Utilizzi

C. ochroleuca  is most often used for forage and as a green manure cover crop. Grown in rotation with commodity crops, C. ochroleuca builds soil nutrition between crops. As a forage crop, young, tender C. ochroleuca leaves and stems can supplement animal feeds up to 10% (particular care should be taken to limit ingestion of flowers and seeds as these contain much higher amounts of the antinutritive alkaloid also found in C. juncea).

Coltivazione

• Elevation – up to 2000 m
• Rainfall – found in floodplains, swamps, and along rivers, though when established also tolerates very dry conditions
• Soil Types – unclear
• Temperature Range – unclear; intolerant of frost
• Day Length Sensitivity – short-day sensitive
• Light – prefers full sun

C. ochroleuca seed should be planted 2-3 cm deep (preferred, if possible), or broadcast, at a rate up to 25 kg/ha, depending on use. Germination and establishment success can be dependent on moisture conditions and sun exposure (full sun preferred). C. ochroleuca does tolerate water-saturated soils much more than its cousin, C. juncea. Upon establishment, C. ochroleuca requires relatively little management.

Raccolta e Seed Production

If utilizing as forage, C. ochroleuca should be harvested 6-8 weeks after planting. For green manure cover crop use, it is recommended to cut C. ochroleuca 10-12 weeks after planting, before full bloom of the stand and before plants become too fibrous to incorporate.   

Parassiti e malattie

Can be affected by powery mildew and Fusarium wilt under humid conditions. C. ochroleuca has demonstrated ability to suppress some pestilent nematodes.

Cucina e Nutrizione

Due to antinutritive properties, C. ochroleuca is not for human consumption.

References

“Crotalaria ochroleuca G. Don, Taxonomic Serial No.: 501807.” ITIS Standard Report Page: Crotalaria ochroleuca, www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=501807#null.

Mkiwa, F.E., Lwoga, A.B., Mosha, R.D., and Matovelo, J.A. 1994. Antinutritional effects of Crotalaria ochroleuca (marejea) in animal feed supplements. Vet Hum Toxicol 36(2):96-100.