Chemical Science Review and Letters ISSN 2278-6783 Chem Sci Rev Lett 2017, 6(23), 1970-1974 Article CS142048081 1970 Research Article Genetic variability of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes to varied levels of phosphorus under rainfed condition of Jharkhand Birendra Kumar 1 *, Naresh pd. Yadav 2 and Uday kumar singh 3 1 Department of Agronomy, AICRP on Forage Crops 2 Scientist PBG, ZRS, Darisai E Singhbhum 3 Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Petarwar Bokaro Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand-834006 Introduction Although India holds top rank among milk producing countries in the world and produced 146.31 million tones of milk in 2014-15 which became possible with contribution of very large population of livestock with low milking ability compared to some of the other countries in the world. As malnutrition or under-nutrition, beside the low genetic potential of the animals is also prime factor for low milk productivity. The sufficient supply of qualitative fodder and concentrate is a crucial factor impacting the productivity and performance of the animals [1]. The main reasons for low productivity is insufficient and low quality fodder and feed including grazing facilities [2]. The country is highly deficit in availability of green fodder, dry fodder and concentrates. Future development and growth of livestock are highly associated with the availability of fodder from cultivable land, forest, pastures and development of grazing lands. As among the different annual and perennial fodder Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), also called black-eyed pea or southern pea, annual plant within the pea family (Fabaceae) grown for its edible legumes. The plants are thought to be native to West Africa and are widely cultivated in warm regions around the world. In addition to their use as a protein-rich food crop, cowpeas are extensively grown as a hay crop and as a green manure or cover crop. It is most important annual leguminous fodder of summer to Kharif season in Jharkhand. Cowpea is a dual purpose crop like grain as well as fodder legume belonging to the family leguminesae. Its value lies in its high protein content green herbage and ability to tolerate drought. It has also got the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through its nodules and thereby grows well in even poor soils. Cowpea has been identified as one of the keys to crop-livestock. However, under rain fed condition in Jharkhand cowpea can only be grown during monsoon. It has wide range of adoptability, quick growing habit and high yielding, proteinases as well as palatable and also preferred by different animals. Being leguminous it provides protein and mineral rich and less fiber and also improves the soil fertility. Phosphorus deficiency is one of the major limiting factors in crop production. Role of phosphorus in nodulation and other enzymatic activity and also acts as yield limiting nutrient next to Nitrogen. Even though, soil possess medium to high in Phosphorus level but its availability is very less, due to its slow mobility and its fixing nature in soil, which identify the way and means of its judicious use for maximizing the quality green herbage production. Keeping the facts in view present study was under taken to optimize the Phosphorus levels as well as to study the genetic variability among different cowpea genotypes for sustaining yield and quality under rain in Jharkhand. Abstract A field experiment was conducted under AICRP on Forage Crops with the collaboration of Agrostology unit of the Ranchi Veterinary College under Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi during Kharif season of 2011. The growth, yield and quality of cowpea genotypes influenced by Phosphorus levels. Genotype, Bundel lobia attended the maximum height plant / vine length, Leaf: stem ratio in green as well as under dry condition which were significantly better over all other genotypes and National check (UPC-622). While, maximum GFY (284.56 q/ha), DFY (49.57 q/ha), crude protein content (15.19%) and Crude protein yield (7.52 q/ha) were recorded under zonal check UPC-5286. Response of Phosphorus was recorded on plant length, GFY, DFY, CP and CPY up to 90 kg P 2 O 5 / ha. Further, significant interaction effect of Phosphorus and Genotypes were recorded on growth, yield and quality of Cowpea. Keywords: Cowpea, genotypes, Phosphorus levels, Variability and Crude protein *Correspondence Author: Birendra Kumar Email: kbirendra1973@gmail.com