Nutritional potential value of Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers., La-blab purpureus (L.) Sweet, and Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek in two sowing methods

Objective: To evaluate the agronomic performance and nutritional potential of Sesbania grandiflora, Lablab purpureus, and Vigna radiata in two sowing methods. Design/methodology/approach: The morphological and bromatological parameters of leaves and stems of S. grandiflora, L. purpureus, and V. radiata sown flat and in beds were determined. The forages of leaves and stems of the three species were classified according to their quality parameters. Data for morphological and bromatological parameters were analyzed with a completely randomized design with a 3x2 factorial arrangement and least squares means were compared with Tukey (p<0.05). Results: Sesbania grandiflora in flat and bed sowing presented greater height, higher percentage of leaf dry matter, and percentage of stem dry matter. While V. radiata in flat sowing presented greater plant weight, leaf weight and stem weight. Sesbania grandiflora leaf forages in flat and bed sowing obtained a higher percentage of crude protein, while V. radiata in flat and bed sowing obtained a lower percentage of neutral detergent fiber. For stem forage, the three species in flat and bed sowing presented high percentage values of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber. The leaf forages in bed sowing were classified as excellent quality, as were the leaf forages of S. grandiflora and V. radiata in flat sowing, which also had excellent quality. Findings/conclusions: The forage of S. grandiflora leaves in flat and bed sowing was of excellent quality, related to its higher percentage of dry matter and crude protein and its lower percentage of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber.