Yield
American jointvetch is a high yielding legume. Yields up to 10-15 t DM/ha have been observed though average DM yields of 5 t/ha are more common (Cook et al., 2005). It was reported to yield 7.5 t hay/ha over 5 cuts in Puerto Rico, and 4.5 t/ha over 2 cuts in Florida (Bishop, 1992).
Pasture management
Aeschynomene americana can be sown alone or in association with grasses such as pangola grass (Digitaria eriantha), milanje finger grass (Digitaria milanjiana), Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus), golden millet (Setaria sphacelata), bread grass (Brachiaria brizantha), signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) or Koronivia grass (Brachiaria humidicola). It can be associated to other legumes such as pinto peanut (Arachis pintoi), centro (Centrosema molle), Desmodium heterocarpon, phasey bean (Macroptilium lathyroides), Vigna parkeri, or stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) (USDA-NRCS, 2006; Cook et al., 2005). Rotational grazing of a stand of Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum)/american jointvetch resulted in higher in vitro OM digestibility and higher protein content of herbage (Gonzalez, 1990).
If Aeschynomene americana is newly cultivated, it may be useful to inoculate seeds with cowpea rhizobium for N fixation. The plant should be sown in a well-prepared seedbed no deeper than 1-2 cm at 2-3 kg/ha of dehulled seeds, or 4-6 kg/ha seed-in-pod or when sown as a dehulled seed in mixed stands (USDA-NRCS, 2006; Cook et al., 2005). It may be useful to pack the soil after sowing. In rainfed conditions, it is recommended to sow it just before the onset of the rainy season (USDA-NRCS, 2006). It may be useful to dehull seeds to reduce hardseed level and improve germination. Since American jointvetch is rather slow to establish, some weeding/grazing operations are recommended at the beginning. In existing stands of American jointvetch or in mixed stands, some disking and chopping operations may improve the establishment of seedlings (Cook et al., 2005). Good pioneering stands could be obtained from seeds that had matured the previous year. In sites prone to flooding, it is recommended to have stands established before the rainy season as taller plants are more tolerant of flooding (USDA-NRCS, 2006). In wetlands, livestock should not graze Aeschynomene americana during the rainy season, because the animals cause trampling damages (Cook et al., 2005).
American jointvetch is an annual legume that can be managed as a short-lived perennial provided seed setting is encouraged periodically. Stock should not enter the stand prior to flowering and should be allowed to come back once the seeds have been shed from the plants. American jointvetch should then be grazed heavily during the cold or dry season so as to favour new seedlings growth. Initial growth is rather slow, and plants may require up to 10 weeks to reach a height of 60 cm (Cook et al., 2005). New stands should not be grazed between 5 and 35-40 cm high (Hodges et al., 1982). A good grazing height for leaf canopy is reported to be about 50-60 cm.
Aeschynomene americana is palatable and selectively grazed at all stages of active growth. Early grazing promotes dense basal branching and good leafy canopy. It can withstand continuous heavy grazing or rotational grazing with rest periods of 3 to 5 weeks. It does not provide good quality standover after summer (Cook et al., 2005).
Hay and haylage
As Aeschynomene americana readily drops its leaves when mature, it is recommended to cut the green leafy plant at an early stage to make hay (Cook, 2007). To make haylage, the plants were cut at late bloom stage and let to wilt down to 50% DM. Cut forage was then chopped to 1.5 cm long sections and ensiled during 60 days without preservatives (Spicer et al., 1982).
