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<p>Nitrogen-fixing forage legumes are crucial for enhancing soil fertility and livestock productivity in Eastern Africa, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers while increasing feed availability. Despite numerous species-specific studies, comprehensive regional synthesis comparing nitrogen fixation, soil fertility benefits, and livestock nutrition across forage legumes remains limited. This review aimed to (i) identify major nitrogen-fixing forage legumes suitable for Eastern Africa, (ii) assess their nitrogen fixation potential and contributions to soil fertility, (iii) evaluate their role in livestock nutrition and sustainable land management. Reported nitrogen fixation varies widely among species and environments: herbaceous legumes such as <i>Vigna unguiculata</i> (55–172&#xa0;kg N/ha/year), <i>Medicago sativa</i> (100–290&#xa0;kg N/ha/year), <i>Lablab purpureus</i> (172–215&#xa0;kg N/ha/year), and <i>Desmodium</i> spp. (up to 897&#xa0;kg N/ha/year) perform well under optimal conditions. Multipurpose trees and shrubs, including <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i>, <i>Calliandra calothyrsus</i>, <i>Chamaecytisus palmensis</i>, and <i>Gliricidia sepium</i>, fix 50–587&#xa0;kg N/ha/year depending on site. Beyond nitrogen enrichment, these legumes enhance soil organic matter, microbial diversity, and water retention, supporting sustainable cropping and grazing. They also improve livestock nutrition, providing 12–25% crude protein, thereby boosting growth, milk production, and feed efficiency. Adoption is limited by low awareness, weak seed systems, labor and land constraints, and insufficient institutional support. Strategic integration of forage legumes into mixed crop–livestock systems can improve soil fertility, forage availability, and climate resilience. Recommendations include strengthening seed systems, promoting farmer training on legume management and inoculation, selecting site-specific legume–rhizobia combinations, and incorporating legumes into climate-smart agriculture policies to accelerate large-scale adoption.</p>

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A review of nitrogen-fixing forage legumes in Eastern Africa

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月18日

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  • Alemu Gashe Desta

摘要

Nitrogen-fixing forage legumes are crucial for enhancing soil fertility and livestock productivity in Eastern Africa, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers while increasing feed availability. Despite numerous species-specific studies, comprehensive regional synthesis comparing nitrogen fixation, soil fertility benefits, and livestock nutrition across forage legumes remains limited. This review aimed to (i) identify major nitrogen-fixing forage legumes suitable for Eastern Africa, (ii) assess their nitrogen fixation potential and contributions to soil fertility, (iii) evaluate their role in livestock nutrition and sustainable land management. Reported nitrogen fixation varies widely among species and environments: herbaceous legumes such as Vigna unguiculata (55–172 kg N/ha/year), Medicago sativa (100–290 kg N/ha/year), Lablab purpureus (172–215 kg N/ha/year), and Desmodium spp. (up to 897 kg N/ha/year) perform well under optimal conditions. Multipurpose trees and shrubs, including Leucaena leucocephala, Calliandra calothyrsus, Chamaecytisus palmensis, and Gliricidia sepium, fix 50–587 kg N/ha/year depending on site. Beyond nitrogen enrichment, these legumes enhance soil organic matter, microbial diversity, and water retention, supporting sustainable cropping and grazing. They also improve livestock nutrition, providing 12–25% crude protein, thereby boosting growth, milk production, and feed efficiency. Adoption is limited by low awareness, weak seed systems, labor and land constraints, and insufficient institutional support. Strategic integration of forage legumes into mixed crop–livestock systems can improve soil fertility, forage availability, and climate resilience. Recommendations include strengthening seed systems, promoting farmer training on legume management and inoculation, selecting site-specific legume–rhizobia combinations, and incorporating legumes into climate-smart agriculture policies to accelerate large-scale adoption.