Effect of Cutting Age on Seed Production of Flemingia Macrophylla for the Optimisation of Cropping Systems, Cotopaxi-Ecuador

Ricardo Luna-Murillo, Joselyne Solórzano, Idalia Pacheco-Tigselema, Jairo Dueñas-Tovar, Lady Bravo-Montero and María Jaya-Montalvo ()
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Ricardo Luna-Murillo: Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, Extensión La Maná, Av. Los Almendros y calle Pujilí Sector La Virgen, La Maná 170150, Ecuador
Joselyne Solórzano: Centro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, Guayaquil 090902, Ecuador
Idalia Pacheco-Tigselema: Facultad de Ciencias de Ingeniería y Aplicadas, Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, Extensión Latacunga, Av. Simón Rodríguez s/n, Barrio El Ejido Sector San Felipe, Latacunga 050102, Ecuador
Jairo Dueñas-Tovar: Centro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, Guayaquil 090902, Ecuador
Lady Bravo-Montero: Centro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, Guayaquil 090902, Ecuador
María Jaya-Montalvo: Centro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, Guayaquil 090902, Ecuador

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-15

Abstract: The tropical shrub legume Flemingia macrophylla is a specie that influences higher forage production, increases protein content, and reduces nitrogen fertiliser and animal protein supplement use. However, there is little scientific literature on the influence of the cutting age of Flemingia macrophylla on the nutritional-productive behaviour of the plant and soil microbiology. Therefore, this study addresses the interaction between high-value forages and coffee cropping systems under agroecological management. The study aims to evaluate the seed production of Flemingia macrophylla and its association with the crops of “Geisha Coffee” and “Sarchimor Coffee” at the Sacha Wiwa Experimental Centre (Cotopaxi-Ecuador) through the analysis of growth and bromatology of the seeds at cutting ages of 30, 45, 60, and 75 days for their potential use in the local agro-industry. The methodology was composed of three phases: (i) crop experimental design, (ii) crop sampling, and (iii) agroecological management strategies. The results suggest that Flemingia macrophylla can be integrated into agroforestry systems with coffee, reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and improving seed productivity. Seed production peaked at 60 days, with the highest levels of protein (31.44%), nitrogen (5.03%), potassium (1.17%), and calcium (0.78%), making it an excellent forage source. Fibre content, however, was highest at 75 days (11.20%), making this cycle preferable when higher fibre is required. Notably, soil organic matter depletion in plots associated with Sarchimor coffee suggested higher nutrient demands. This study demonstrated the potential of Flemingia macrophylla to diversify agroecological systems with improved productivity and nutritional quality.

Keywords: seed germination; SDG 2; experimental farms; resilience; climate change; agroecology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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