The effect of intercropping patterns on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of safflower and bitter vetch in high-input and low-input farming systems

To evaluate the quantity and quality of forage in intercropping of safflower and bitter vetch, a factorial experiment was used based on a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications in the Faculty of Agriculture at Urmia University in the sowing year of 2013-2014.The first factor was the use of high-input and low-input farming systems. The high-input system involved the use of fertilizers (N and P), and chemical control of pests and weeds with the use of Metasystox and Galant. The low-input system used cow manure, bio fertilizers and no chemical material. The second factor was cropping patterns with rows ratio of 2:2, 2:3, 2:4, and 2:5 safflower/bitter vetch and safflower and bitter vetch sole cropping. Results showed that the wet and dry weights of forage grown in sole cropping was more than in all the mixed patterns. The 2:4 planting pattern in the high-input system increased the percentage of crude protein and reduced the crude fiber content of the safflower forage. High-input cropping systems produce the most digestible dry matter and soluble carbohydrate in safflower (76.86% and 11.85 percent) and bitter vetch (61.38 and 16.31 percent). In general, the maximum crude protein content and soluble carbohydrates in bitter vetch forage, and the highest index of LER (1.87) in both plants were obtained from the 2:5 planting pattern in the low-input farming system. Thus, two rows of safflower planted with five rows of bitter vetch is the best model regarding the quality and quantity of forage.