Abstract: The growth characteristics of Vigna sinesis Sari Var.(VS)and Phaseolus spp.(P)in Fuzhou Beifeng area were studied for two years.The nutritional components of the two forages were analyzed and their energy-producing capacities were estimated.The annual fresh biomass production of P and VS.were 65800 kg·hm-2 and 54700 kg·hm-2,respectively.The plant height of VS was considerably higher than that of P.at a same growing stage.However,the average biomass production per unit height of VS was significantly lower than P.The crude protein,fat and soluble carbohydrate of VS was 19.37%,3.56% and 19.25%,respectively.They were higher than those of P,which were 18.10%,3.45% and 18.87%,respectively.The total cellulose and lignin contents of VS were lower than those of P(i.e.,34.02% and 18.47% vs.35.32% and18.68%).Planting of 1 hm2 VS and P could annually obtain energy 60.77?106 kJ and 94.72?106 kJ,respectively.After deducting artificial auxiliary energy input,the solar energy utilization rate of growing the leguminous forages in Beifeng hilly land was estimated to be 0.271%-0.412%.