Dry matter yield and quality of five annual subtropical fodder crops at different irrigation levels

Maize, soybean, cowpeas, fodder sorghum and pearl millet were cultivated in a small plot trial under a rain shelter. The crops were subjected to four irrigation levels. The yields of fodder sorghum and pearl millet were better under severely water stressed conditions (W1) in comparison to that of maize. However, maize yields under control conditions (W4), were the highest. Soybean produced higher yields than cowpeas. Cowpeas were more digestible than soybeans and also had a higher crude protein content than the other four crops. Fodder sorghum and pearl millet have comparable digestibilities and crude protein contents. Maize has a high digestibility but is very poor in crude protein content. It is thus advisable to combine maize with a legume. Whether soybean or cowpeas should be considered would depend on the need of bulk or protein. Under dryland conditions (W1) fodder sorghum and pearl millet would be better choices than maize. Keywords: Zea mays; Glycine max; Sorghum x Sudangrass; Pennisetum glaucum; Vigna unguiculata African Journal of Range & Forage Science 2002, 19(3): 157-16