Publication Date

1997

Description

Cowpea is important for the provision of both grain for food and fodder for livestock but there is often a trade-off between production of the two. To better understand influences on grain and fodder production, and how these may be utilized, research was conducted at 5 locations in west Africa using 12 cowpea varieties, with and without insecticide spray. Spraying had a dramatic effect on grain production, but less so for fodder, however there was an effect of spraying on fodder quality in terms of in sacco digestibility at Niamey. Accessions with the potential to produce grain and fodder with good quality were identified (IT89KD-391 and TVU 12349) and studies are continuing to optimise the contribution of such material to local production systems.

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Optimizing the Contribution of Cowpea to Food and Fodder Production in Crop-Livestock Systems in West Africa

Cowpea is important for the provision of both grain for food and fodder for livestock but there is often a trade-off between production of the two. To better understand influences on grain and fodder production, and how these may be utilized, research was conducted at 5 locations in west Africa using 12 cowpea varieties, with and without insecticide spray. Spraying had a dramatic effect on grain production, but less so for fodder, however there was an effect of spraying on fodder quality in terms of in sacco digestibility at Niamey. Accessions with the potential to produce grain and fodder with good quality were identified (IT89KD-391 and TVU 12349) and studies are continuing to optimise the contribution of such material to local production systems.