PERFORMANCE OF SUMMER FORAGE LEGUMES IN THE SUB-TROPICAL SUB-HUMID POTHOWAR PLATEAU

The study was conducted at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Islamabad to investigate the performance of summer forage legumes including; Cowpeas (Vigna sinensis), Lablab bean (Dolichos lablab), Rice bean (Phaselous calcartus) and Sesbania (Sesbania exalata), in the sub-humid climate of Pothowar plateau. Adequate and nutritious forage supply is essential for enhancing livestock production to meet the human demand for dairy and allied products. The objective of the study was to determine forage yield and quality in terms of crude protein in selected forage species. Among four legumes sesbania attained the maximum height of 144 cm while rice bean had gained the minimum height of 86 cm. The highest dry weight (3. 9 t ha^-1) was obtained by Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) a non-leguminous control species. Among the legumes, the highest dry matter (3. 8 t ha^-1) was obtained by Sesbania and the lowest dry weight (2 t ha^-1) was obtained by cowpeas. The results concluded that the highest crude protein contents 581 kg ha^-1 were attributed by sesbania. Sorghum gained the lowest crude protein contents (175 kg ha^-1). Thus, the mixture of grasses and legumes would be a better approach for livestock diet.