Forage legumes are contributing in sustainable crop production apart from nutritional security to the livestock. Forage legumes are crucial for the nutritional security for mankind as they are integral component for increased availability of animal protein and product which has higher biological value compared to plant proteins. The inclusion of forage legumes in crop production systems is more useful as these can not only provide food and feed to animals but also improves soil productivity and act as soil-conserving components of agricultural and agroforestry systems. Production system as a whole and tremendous deficit of forage nutritious resources demand in particular to give some importance to the forage crops especially leguminous forages. Therefore, critical assessment is necessary for determining the direction and magnitude of change in agricultural management practice with inclusions of forage legume. Forage legumes have good capacity as a feed to promote sufficient quantities and qualities required for different productive animals. Therefore, these crops can contribute to achieving the objectives of sustainable food/ fodder and environmental security. Hence, inclusion of legumes forages in cropping system is inevitable in advancing soil sustainability and food and nutritional security without compromising the long-term soil fertility base of the soil resources. Rational soil management practices must involve forage legume-based rotations and intercropping considerations for restoring soil health, and soil sustainability should be given due emphasis. Besides, forage legumes can also provide a wide range of benefits such as restoration of soil fertility, nitrogen fixation and fertilizer saving, enhancement of soil biology and biodiversity, improving soil carbon sequestration and by neutralizing negative impact of climate change. This review summarizes the potential role of forage legume in animal nutrition, soil fertility building, nitrogen fixation, soil biology and biodiversity, carbon sequestration, climate change and other ecological services provided.

An experiment was conducted at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana) to generate precise information on nutritional qualities of leaves, twigs and leaves with twigs parts of Moringa oleifera strains. The samples were collected from 5 years old established moringa trees from research farm of NDRI, Karnal. Total six treatments were formed by using the two locally available moriga strains, i.e. Rajasthan local and Haryana local strain, and three types of samples obtained from each strain, i.e. leaves, tender green twigs and leaves with twigs. The treatments were replicated four times and statistically analyzed by using randomized block design (RBD). The results showed that highest value of crude protein, ether extract, total ash, digestible dry matter, relative feed value and net energy for lactation was found in leaves of Haryana local strain of moringa, however, leaves of Rajasthan local strain of moringa also recorded at par value of ether extract, total ash, digestible dry matter and net energy for lactation with leaves of Haryana local. Twigs of both Rajasthan and Haryana local strain of moringa recorded at par value of dry matter content, NDF and ADF.Further, highest value of P, S, Zn, Cu and Mn was found in leaves of Rajasthan local strain of moringa, whereas, highest value of N, Ca, Mg and Fe was found in leaves of Haryana local strain of moringa. However, leaves of both Rajasthan and Haryana local strain of moringa recorded at par values of P, S, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn.

Feeding cum growth trial was conducted on male Barbari goats to study the growth, blood metabolites, antioxidant and coccidial egg count on feeding of Maize silage having Moringa leaves. Eighteen male Barbari goats (Aged about 3 months and Avg B.Wt. 9.53±0.42 kg) were divided in completely randomized design into (CRD) three groups of six each. Control group (Gr C) was fed with concentrate pellet, green and gram straw ad lib. Treatment groups (Gr M) were fed with concentrate pellet + maize silage ad lib.; Gr MM was fed with concentrate pellet + Maize –Moringa silage ad lib. Average daily gain (g/day) was highest in Gr MM (71.42) followed by Gr M (60.87) and Gr C (55.31). There was no significant difference in hematological and serum metabolites (Glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, AG ratio) among groups. Serum cholesterol (mg/dl) was significantly lower in Gr MM as compared to Gr M and Gr C. There was improvement in the serum antioxidant activity of the goats fed with MM silage. Present study concluded that incorporation of Moringa olifera in the maize silage improved the body weight gain with reduction in serum cholesterol in growing Barbari goats under stall feeding system.

An experiment was conducted to find out the suitable intercropping combination for pearl millet and cluster bean for higher fodder productivity, land use efficiency and profitability under Yamuna ravines of Uttar Pradesh, India. Nine treatments were evaluated which includes two treatment of sole crop (pearl millet and cluster bean) and seven intercropping combinations of pearl millet + cluster bean viz. 1 : 1, 2 : 1, 1 : 2, 2 : 2, 3 : 1, 1 : 3 and 3 : 3. Maximum value of total green fodder yield was obtained with intercropping of 3 : 1 row ratio; however, it was statistically at par with 2:1 row ratio. Further, maximum value of phosphorus and potassium uptake; LER, MAI, net return and benefit cost ratio was recorded with intercropping 2 : 1 row ratio. Thus, it was found that two row pearl millet + one row cluster bean (2 : 1) intercropping combination performed best in terms of yield, land use efficiency and profitability of fodder pearl millet and cluster bean. Bangladesh J. Bot. 51(1): 103-112, 2022 (March)