Effect of maize (Zea mays) and sesbania (Sesbania sesban) intercropping on forage yield and quality
Author(s):
Article Type:
Research/Original Article (دارای رتبه معتبر)
Abstract:
Introduction
Intercropping is one of the best methods to increase forage production and improve quality. Selecting suitable plants for intercropping is critical to increasing crop production, improving yield quality, intensifying radiation capture, building biodiversity and finally, enhancing the productivity of the agroecosystem. Intercropping with cereals and legumes is an ecological strategy for improving quality and increasing yield. Maize (Zea mays) is a member of the grassfamily, Poaceae, which could produce high amounts of forage with high palatability and digestibility and low levels of protein. Sesbania (Sesbania sesban) is a legume with high protein quality and good digestibility that could boost forage production. This plant species is known as a forage crop tolerant to salt stress with a high adaptability to tropical regions. Intercropping sesbania and maize could produce high quality forage under tropical conditions. This research was conducted in order to evaluate the intercropping effects of maize and sesbania on forage yield and quality.
Materials and methods
This experiment was performed using a randomized complete block design with three replications in a research field at Jiroft University. Experimental treatments included different ratios of replacement intercropping series (25:75, 33:67, 50:50, 67:33, 75:25), maize sole cropping and sesbania sole cropping. Plant density of sole cropping of maize and sesbania was 25 plants per m2. Evaluated traits were forage yield, crude protein, ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and land equivalent ratio (LER).
Results and discussion
The results showed intercropping had significant (p
Conclusion
The results of this study indicated intercropping of maize with sesbania improved forage yield and forage quality indices. The LER index also increased as a result of the intercropping. Therefore, intercropping of these crops showed more economic profit than sole cropping. Comparing different treatments indicated that a 50: 50 maize/sesbania intercropping (equal to 12.5 maize plants + 12.5 sesbania plants per square meter) was the best admissible intercropping treatment which presented the highest forage yield, suitable forage quality and greatest LER.Keywords:
Language:
Persian
Published:
Journal of Agroecology, Volume:8 Issue: 2, 2018
Pages:
68 to 81
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