Choose well-drained sites with sandy, sandy loam or clay loam soils.
Fertilize and lime according to soil test. Lablab will tolerate soil pH levels ranging from 5 to 7.5. Some iron deficiency chlorosis will be noted in soils with pH > 7.5.
Inoculate seed using cowpea inoculant.
Plant 30 to 50 lbs of ‘Rio Verde’ seed per acre on prepared seedbed. Use a drill to place seed about 1 to 1.5 inches deep.
An alternative planting method is to broadcast seed on disked seedbed and follow with a light disking to cover. Use care to not cover the seed more than about 1.5 inches deep.
‘Rio Verde’ can be planted in Texas from May through July, according to soil moisture. Early fall (Sept.) plantings may also be used if soil moisture is adequate.
‘Rio Verde’ will start flowering in early Sept. but will be productive until frost. Research is in progress on the reseeding potential of this new forage legume.
