The effect of shade level on the growth of Setaria splendida and Clitoria ternatea Grown in association

Forage is very important for ruminant livestock as a source of nutrients, such as: energy, crude fiber, protein, vitamins, fats, and minerals to support livestock productivity. Research to determine the effect of shade levels on the growth of Setaria splendida and Clitoria ternatea planted in association, using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments of shade levels, namely: N0 = 0% shade, N1 = 20% shade, N2 = 40% shade, N3 = 60% shade, and each treatment was repeated 10 times. Observed variables include: height, length, number of leaves, number of tillers, number of branches, leaf color, leaf chlorophyll, and leaf area. The results showed that the higher the shade level treatment, the lower the growth of Setaria splendida and Clitoria ternatea. In Setaria splendida, the 0% shade level (N0) provided the highest growth in the number of leaves, number of tillers and leaf area, respectively: 18.86 blades 3.86 tillers; and 341.18 cm². In Clitoria ternatea, the highest yield was also obtained at 0% shade (N0) with a legume length of 151.36 cm, a number of leaves of 36.29 blades, a number of branches of 6.29 branches, and a leaf area of 447.33 cm². It can be concluded that increasing the shade level can reduce the growth of Setaria splendida and Clitoria ternatea planted in association, and the shade levels of 0% and 20% provide the best growth in Setaria splendida and Clitoria ternatea planted in association.