College of Veterinary Science, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030, India
Online published on 21 January, 2012.
Sorghum (SSG-59-3) and cowpea were intercropped with a constant seed rate of 20 kg/ha of sorghum and variable seed rates of cowpea at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% level of sorghum seed rate in treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Treatments 4 and 5 showed significantly (p<0.05) higher yields of green and dry forage in comparison to the other 3 groups which did not differ significantly among themselves.
The nutritional quality of the mixed fodder crops of different treatments was studied in a metabolism trial conducted on 20 adult Nellore rams divided in 5 equal groups in completely randomised design. Lower voluntary consumption (P< 0.01), CF digestibility (p<0.05) and higher digestibilities of DM and OM (p<0.01) were recorded on rations 4 and 5 containing higher proportions of cowpea than the other rations. The CP digestibility increased significantly (P < 0.01) from ration 1 to 5. The experimental animals on all the rations were in positive N, Ca and P balances. The DCP and TDN contents and also their intakes by the animals increased gradually from ration 1 to 5. The mixed fodder of treatments 4 and 5 met the maintenance requirements of sheep and needed no supplementation.
