Macroptilium atropurpureum

Siratro, purple bean

Perennial with trailing or creeping stems. Grows wild in central and South America, but only the cultivar Siratro, developed in Australia and now introduced in most tropical countries, is of agronomic interest. Has become one of the most popular leguminous pasture plants in the tropics. Withstands some drought and frost. Fairly good yields of herbage. Usually sown together with grass or used to oversow natural grassland. Should not be cut or grazed close to the ground. Palatable to both cattle and sheep.

As % of dry matter

DM

CP

CF

Ash

EE

NFE

Ca

P

Ref

Fresh, 8 weeks,

Senegal

19.8

17.7

27.7

7.2

2.6

44.8

0.80

0.20

537

Fresh, 11 weeks,

Senegal

21.1

16.5

33.6

7.6

7.8

39.5

0.85

0.17

"

Fresh, 13 weeks,

Senegal

23.6

15.3

34.7

6.6

2.9

40.5

0.78

0.13

"

Fresh, 16 weeks,

Senegal

26.6

14.3

35.5

6.2

2.6

41.4

0.70

0.09

"

Fresh, 20 weeks,

Senegal

29.2

11.5

36.6

5.9

2.2

43.8

0.64

0.10

"

Fresh, early vege-

tative, India

23.0

30.4

13.7

3.1

29.7

1.42

0.21

546

Digestibility (%)

Animal

CP

CF

EE

NFE

ME

Ref

Fresh, early vegetative

Sheep

82.9

39.5

80.0

52.5

2.01

546