engleski

Influence of intercropping maize with soybean on forage yield and quality

Maize and soybean intercropped in various row ratios and pure maize crop were evaluated to determine the best intercropping system regard with to forage yield and quality. The highest dry matter yield over two years (19.9 t ha-1) was produced by intercropping 1 row of maize with 3 rows of soybean (1M3S), whereas the lowest yield (16.3 t ha-1) produced intercrop consisting of 1 row of maize with 1 row of soybean (1M1S). All intercrop had higher crude protein values in dry matter averaging 113 g kg-1 for the 1M1S, 123 g kg-1 for the 1M2S and 130 g kg-1 for the 1M3S, than the sole crop maize (76 g kg-1). Intercropping of maize with soybean reduced neutral detergent fiber content, which in turn, resulted in increased forage digestibility. Based on forage yield and quality, this study showed that among all intercropped forages the 1M3S treatment was better performing than other intercrops.

maize sole crop, soybean, intercrop, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber

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