CIAT-Uganda's Canavalia Extension Material

The information below is based on an extension guide made by CIAT-Uganda for farmers and extension personnel of government and non-government organizations. In order to download a copy of the actual folded extension brochure, go to the pdf version.

IMPROVE SOIL

PRODUCTIVITY

WITH CANAVALIA

Farm productivity can be improved by growing canavalia.

Canavalia has several good features.

It adds nitrogen to the soil
It improves soil organic matter
It reduces the hardness of the soil
It has an erect growth habit and its roots grow deep
It is easy to manage and produces much seed
It is easily produced with other crops
It results in improved productivity of following crops, and is especially beneficial to maize-bean intercrop

Canavalia has some bad features.

It does not benefit the associated crop in intercrop production
It contains a toxin. It should not be used for human consumption

After producing canavalia, it is uprooted. It should immediately be incorporated into the soil if the plants are young. If the plants have matured, the plant residues can be left on the soil surface to decompose slowly, providing nutrients to the following crops.

Intercropped with maize.

Sow canavalia four weeks after sowing maize. Place one seed per hole in a row between the maize rows with 50 cm between the holes. Allow canavalia to grow after harvesting maize until it is time to plant the next crop.

Note: Canavalia grown with other crops is to benefit the following crop, not the associated crop.

Sole crop production of canavalia.

This is most appropriate on fields where soil fertility is low. Sow the canavalia in rows spaced 75 cm apart and plant one seed per hole at 30 cm spacing. Allow the canavalia to grow for one season.

Intercropped with newly planted banana or coffee.

Plant two rows spaced 60 cm apart between rows of banana or coffee. Space the plants at 60 cm. Avoid planting within one meter of the banana or coffee plants. Uproot at early pod formation.

Intercropped with established banana.

Plant two rows between rows of banana. Uproot when canavalia matures, and apply as mulch. Harvest mature seed.

Intercropped with cassava.
Plant one row between rows of cassava immediately after planting cassava.

Intercropped with sweet potato. Plant two seeds where the furrows between the mounds intersect. Incorporate canavalia after harvest of sweet potato.

Harvesting of canavalia.

Before planting the next crop, harvest mature pods to obtain seed to plant in subsequent seasons. Uproot the canavalia. The plant residues can be incorporated into the soil or left on the surface to slowly decompose and release nutrients to the following crop.

Canavalia as livestock feed.

Canavalia is palatable to livestock and high in protein. However, it contains a toxic compound and canavalia must be used with caution. Wilt after cutting, and feed as a small proportion of the animal’s diet.

--this on-line extension material is maintained by CIEPCA
with CIIFAD/MOIST technical support--
***Return to CIEPCA Home Page***

Comments, Suggestions, Feedback
ciepca@cgiar.org

http://ppathw3.cals.cornell.edu/mba_project/CIEPCA/exmats/canavalia.html
last updated: December 25, 2001