Yield evaluation of Medicago sativa L. and Bromus tomentellus Boiss. in mono-cropping and intercropping

A field experiment was conducted to compare forage production of Medicago sativa and Bromus tomentellus species using factorial experiment based on the completely randomized design with 5 replications in the Fereydoon-Shahr research station, located in west part of Isfahan province in 2012. Treatments consisted of three crop compositions (M. sativa, B. tomentellus or mixture of the two), three density levels including low (4 rows), medium (8 rows) and high (16 rows)) in similar size plots and two planting date seasons (spring and autumn). Results indicated that autumn and spring planting of B. tomentellus and spring planting of M. sativa were more successful. The forage production of M. sativa and B. tomentellus in intercropping was significantly higher than in mono-cropping. The highest biomass production of both species per row was observed in 8 rows density and yield of intercropping per row was higher than mono-cropping per row, either. In the intercropping treatments, land equivalent ratio (LER) values were more than 1 for 8 and 16 rows density, indicated that land-use efficiency in intercropping was higher than in mono-cropping. According to the results, intercropping of M. sativa and B. tomentellus with 8 rows density (30 cm row spacing) is recommended in Fereydoon-Shahr poor dryland fields and similar areas.