Grain production from four varieties of grouped maturity of Vigna unguiculata (INIFAT 93,. INIFAT 94 Tropico 782 and Cubanita 666) was studied to determine their bromatological composition, anti-nutritional factors content and dry matter, organic matter and nitrogen digestibilities. The experiment was conducted from July to September (within the rainy season), in a typical red ferrallitic soil. A random block design with 4 replications was used, Grain yields ranged from 1.20 t/ha for U FAT 94 to 1.55 t/ha for Cubanita 666, with no differences between varieties, Yields of crop residues had a similar performance ranging between 2.56 t of DM/ha for INIFAT 94 and 4.27 t of DM/ha for Tropico 782 as well as the yields of threshed pods which were of 0.45 t DM/ha for Tropico 782 to 0.69 t DM/ha for Cubanita 666. The grain had a crude protein content that ranged (P < 0.01) from 24.90% for INIFAT 93 to 26.67% for INIFAT 94 and a low crude fiber content of 5.61% to 7.81% and the insoluble dietary fiber ranged from 14.24% to 18.67% for INIFAT 93 and 94, respectively. There were no differences in in vitro dry matter digestibility (75.46% to 76.77%) and organic matter (75.08% to 75.55%). while D TAT 94 showed lower (P < 0.01) nitrogen digestibility (87,47 These cowpea varieties are characterized by their low content of total tannins (from 0.37% for Tropico 782 to 0.64% for Cubanita 666) and try sin inhibitors (1.09 mg tryp, inh/g of sample for Cubanita 666 and 1.27 mg tryp inh/g for INIFAT 93 and 94). The bromatolopical composition of crop residues was higher (P < 0.05) in NDF, ADF and cellulose for INIFAT 93 and in ash for Cubanita 666, Regarding threshed pods, INIFAT 93 had a high (P < 0.01) energy content, while it was lower (P < 0.01) in CF, NDF, ADF, cellulose and lignin, Results indicate the agronomical possibilities and nutritional features of all varieties assessed for grain production. However, further studies on agronomical management alternatives combined with the use of chemical defoliants are recommended to increase the productive potential of these cowpea varieties. Physiological and nutritional studies are suggested to complete the proposal for the use of these varieties as a non-conventional feeding source.
