A comparative study of the production of meals from Vigna unguiculata varieties for animal feeding

In a split plot design with 4 replications, the performance of five Vigna u nguiculata varieties (Havana 82, Vinales 144A, INIFAT 93, Tropico 782 and C ubanita 666) was studied for the production of grain meals, forage meals (f lowering) and integral meals (grain 3). Their bromatological composition an d anti-nutritional Factors (tannins and trypsin inhibitors) were determined . The varieties with non-grouped maturity: Havana 82 and Vinales 144A showe d the highest (P < 0.001) yields of forage meal (2.87 t DM/ha with 20.77% C P in Havana 82) and integral meal (5.54 t DM/ha with 19.77% CP in Havana 82 ), while grain meals of all varieties did not differ at yields of 1.05 to 1 .25, t/ha. Grain meals were characterized by their equally high protein con tent, from 25.42% to 26.58% and by low (P < 0.001) crude fibre (5.52 to 7.1 6%) and anti-nutritional factors (0.03 to 2.92% condensed tannins and 0.94 to 1.28 mg/g of tripsin inhibitors). Considering yields obtained, the varie ties Vinales 144A and Havana 82 showed a higher productive efficiency for t he production of forage and integral meals, while the varieties INIFAT 93, Cubanita 666 and Tropico 782 due to their grouped maturity and shorter grow th cycle seem to be the most promisory varieties for grain meals. Further a gronomical studies on the varieties as well as physiological and nutritiona l studies are recommended to determine the technologies for their exploitat ion as non-conventional feeds under Cuban conditions.