Dept. of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh2202, Bangladesh
Online published on 5 January, 2012.
An experiment was undertaken for a period of 9 wks to study the effects of Rhizobium inoculation and N-fertilization on the yield and nutritive value of local variety of cowpea forage (Vigna unguiculata). The results indicated that the yield of green forage, DM and OM were not significantly affected by any of the treatment. The concentrations of OM, EE, NFE and Ash in cowpea hay and in vitro OM digestibility were almost similar in all treatments. However, inoculation and/or N-fertilization resulted In increased values (P<0.01) for CP with a concomitant decrease (P<0.05) in CF content. Furthermore, inoculation along with the application of 20 kg N/ha resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher values for estimated ME and NE concentrations for lactation than those of uninoculated control treatment.
