Preliminary Study on Adaptability of Mucuna cochinchinesis in Northern Fujian

In search of high quality forage, and at the same time, applicable grass for soil and water conservation in Fujian, Mucuna cochinchinesi Lour was selected for an adaptation trial at Jianyang city in the northern region of the province. For comparison, Glycine max cv. Keza 1 and Vigna uniguiculata (L) Walp. Minnan were used as control. In the test, M. cochinchinesis grew vigorously, performed desirably on early establishment with acceptable number of annual growing and developing days, and showed a high leaf-to-stem ratio at time of harvest. The annual fresh and dry yields of the grass reached 202.34 kg·hm^-2 and 42.51 kg·hm^-2, respectively, which were extremely significantly higher than those of control. It also had high nutritional value with a crude protein content as high as 21.01%. However, the main drawback of M. cochinchinesi was that it did not tolerate frost and had a limited growing season.