BARENBRUG COWPEA EBONY SEED TROPICAL (SPR) PER KG 181242

Ebony is a diploid, annual, forage cowpea with a spreading growth habit.

It was selected as a superior forage or green manuring cowpea on the basis of its  resistance to stem rot disease, growth habit, vigorous growth and good seed yield.

Ebony is resistant to races 3 and 4 of the severe root rot fungus,  Phytophthora vignae.

Meringa cowpeas are susceptible to both these races.

A distinguishing feature of Ebony cowpeas is the slight anthocyanin tinge along the length of their seed pod and the strong anthocyanin colouration of the tip of  the pod.

Ebony was developed for use as a green manure crop in sugar cane growing areas and for use as a forage crop in tropical and sub tropical areas.

Other features of Ebony include a long production season, increased dry matter production & improved return post-grazing.

Ebony can be also sown into heavier soil types providing an alternative to Lablab.

Ebony has good drought tolerance.

Good tolerance to periods of heat and moisture stress.

Best under warm, humid conditions, with temperatures between 20°C and 30°C.

Features:

An extremely versatile summer forage providing good grazing, hay and silage options
Prostate growth habit that can withstand harder grazing
Improved root and stem rot resistance
Great source of nitrogen fixation in summer rotation
Ideal for producing high quality summer finishing feed
Nil prussic acid poisoning issues
Suitable as a companion legume with millet and forage sorghum

Animal production:

Ebony has high nutritive value.
Crude protein in green foliage 14-21% and in crop residues 6-8%, in grain 18-26%; IVDMD of foliage >80%. IVDMD of residues after grain  harvest 55-65%.
When fed as a supplement, 10-20% increase in milk yield (Colombia) and 50% higher animal live weight gain  (67 g/day with sheep) are reported (West Africa).

Performance:

Vegetative dry matter production of 3-10 t/ha in 8-12 weeks; grain production 250-4,000 kg/ha.

Sowing arrangement according to intended use:

For fodder and green manure, 30-60 cm between rows and 10-15 cm between plants are suitable; required seeding rate about 20 kg/ha.
Other seeding rates reported are 10-40 kg/ha when sown in rows and up to 90 kg/ha when broadcast. Most common  20-35 kg/ha.
Sowing depth 3-5 cm.
Seed is soft so germination is usually rapid if moisture and temperature are adequate.
Promiscuous in its rhizobial requirements.
Sow in spring to  early autumn.
Apply superphosphate as required by soil test. 
 small application of nitrogen (10 to 20kg N/ha) may give early assistance (not with seed).
Fast establishment and speed to grazing.
Recommended planting rate for Ebony cowpea with  AgriCOTE Pro-Tech is 20 - 35kg per hectare.