Lucerne (Medicago sativa)

1. Introduction

• Perennial legume, highly nutritious fodder crop.
• Used mainly for dairy cattle, horses, and goats.

2. Botanical Information

• Family: Fabaceae
• Origin: Central Asia/Iran
• Plant type: Perennial
• Part used: Leaves & stems

3. Climate & Soil

• Cool to temperate climate, 15–30 °C optimum.
• Well-drained loamy soil, pH 6.5–7.5.

4. Cultivation

• Sowing: Sept–Oct (North India), Aug–Sept (South India).
• Seed rate: 25–30 kg/ha (broadcast).
• Cutting interval: First cut at 60–70 days; 4–6 cuts/year.

5. Yield & Uses

• Green fodder: 40–50 t/ha/year
• Dry fodder: 8–10 t/ha/year
• Protein: 18–22%
• Uses: Green fodder, hay, silage, soil nitrogen enrichment

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

1. Introduction

• Annual leguminous crop grown for fodder, pulses (seeds), and vegetable purposes.
• Commonly called Black-eyed pea or Southern pea.

2. Botanical Information

• Family: Fabaceae
• Origin: Africa
• Plant type: Annual, climbing or bushy
• Part used: Leaves (fodder), pods and seeds (human consumption)

3. Climate & Soil

• Warm climate: 25–35 °C optimum
• Tolerates drought better than Lucerne
• Sandy loam to loamy soils, well-drained
• pH: 5.5–7.0

4. Cultivation

• Sowing: June–July (Kharif), March–April (summer)
• Seed rate: 20–25 kg/ha
• Spacing: 30–45 cm (bush), 60 cm (climbing)
• Intercultural practices: Weeding once or twice; minimal fertilizer needed as it fixes nitrogen

5. Yield & Uses

• Green fodder: 8–15 t/ha (single cut)
• Seeds: 0.5–1 t/ha
• Protein: 22–25% in seeds, 15–18% in green fodder
• Uses: Fodder, human consumption, soil nitrogen improvement

Quick Comparison: Lucerne vs Cowpea