Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungus on Forage Quality in Intercropping of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.)

In order to evaluate the forage quality in grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) intercropping with application of mycorrhiza fungus (Glomus intraradices), a field experiment was carried out as a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with 10 treatments and 3 replications at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Iran during 2017 growing season. Treatments included planting patterns (sole planting of grass pea and barley, 75% grass pea+ 25% barley, 50% grass pea+ 50% barley, 25% grass pea+ 75% barley) with and without mycorrhiza inoculation. The highest water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and crude fiber (CF) were achieved in monoculture of inoculated and no-inoculated barley and 25% grass pea+ 75% barley planting patterns. Also, the highest neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) belonged to monocultures of barley, while the lowest NDF and ADF related to grass pea sole cropping. Thus, the highest total digestible nutrients (TDN), dry matter intake (DMI), digestible dry matter (DDM) and net energy for lactation (NEL) were obtained in monoculture of inoculated grass pea. In addition, inoculation with Glomus intraradices improved the mixture forage quality by reducing the concentration of ADF and ADF, while DDM, DMI, TDN and RFV were increased. Overall, based on the examined quality indices, inoculated grass pea was found potent to produce a good-quality forage.