Evaluation of yield, Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) and silage quality related traits in oat (Avena sativa) and vetch (Vicia sativa) intercropping

Effect of different planting ratios of oat (Avena sativa L.) and vetch (Vicia sativa L.) was assessed on quality and quantity of forage and silage in an intercropping system as completely randomized block design (RCBD) with four replications. The treatments were different planting ratios of oat and vetch including 0:100، 20:80، 40:60، 50:50، 60:40، 80:20 and 100:0 (Oat-Vetch) formed as replacement series. The results indicated that the highest quantitative yield obtained from 40 percent: vetch + 60 percent oat where their fresh and dry matters were 62. 88 and 15. 72 ton/ha، respectively. The results obtained from analysis of variance showed، all the parameters including crude protein، butyric acid، lactic acid، acetic acid، Natural Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF)، propionic acid were significantly different with differing planting compositions except ethanol and ammoniac nitrogen. Monoculture of vetch (0-100) produced the highest level of crude protein، butyric acid and lactic acid whereas maximum acetic acid was obtained from 20 percent vetch + 80 percent oat. Maximum NDF and ADF observed from 40 percent vetch + 60 percent oat and the highest level of propionic acid were related to oat monoculture. Generally the ratio of 40 percent vetch + 60 percent oat with maximum of quality and quantity of yield was superior to others and it was acceptable as qualitative characteristics.