Nutritional portfolio of maize and cowpea fodder under various intercropping ratio and balanced nitrogen fertilization (original) (raw)
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A field experiment was carried out at the demonstration block of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Porba) under Phek district, Nagaland during the kharif season of 2011 and 2012. The treatments consisted of sole crops of maize and cowpea along with intercropping of maize with cowpea in 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 row proportions. Altogether twenty treatments were arranged in randomized block design with three replications. Higher values of fresh forage yield and dry matter yield was recorded in sole treatments. Among the different row proportions, 1:1 row ratio recorded the highest total fresh forage yield (48.20 t/ha) and it was statistically at par with 2:1 row ratio (48.13 t/ha). In case of total dry matter yield, the highest (14.29 t/ha) was recorded in 2:1 row ratio followed by 1:1 (13.78 t/ha). Intercropping systems of maize + cowpea in 1:1 row ratio recorded higher crude protein, higher total ash content and higher IVDMD than sole in maize. For cowpea, crude protein and crude fibre content were higher in sole treatment while total ash content and IVDMD were higher in 1:1 row ratio. The quality parameters of both maize and cowpea recorded the
The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences
Availability of green fodder with improved quality to animals is the key to success for sustainable livestock production. It is difficult to maintain the health and milk production of the livestock without supply of the quality green fodder. Therefore, the study was carried out to evaluate the forage quality of maize and legumes as influenced by varying intercropping combinations. This experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments consisting of three different forage crops, viz. maize, cowpea and guar sown in sole as well as in 1:1 and 2:1 intercropping combinations of forage cereal with legume crop components in three replications. Experimental results showed that the highest dry matter yield (94.89 q/ha) was obtained in maize+ cowpea (2:1) intercropping combinations. The quality parameters of different forage crops, viz. Organic Matter, Crude Protein, Ether Extract, Ash Content, Neutral Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergen...
2010
INTRODUCTION 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE *** MIXED CROPPING 2.1 SIGNIFICANCE OF MIXED CROPPING 2.1.1 Soil fertility 2.1.2 Lack of risk 2.1.3 Tolerance against adverse climatic conditions 2.1.4 Better use of labor 2.1.5 Weed control 2.1.6 Complementary effects 2.1.7 Soil conservation 2.1.8 Prevention of lodging 2.1.9 Financial stabilization 2.1.10 Control on diseases and insect pest 2.1.11 Transfer of nitrogen from legume to non-legume 2.1.12 Yield and yield components 2.1.13 Quality of product 2.2 EFFECT OF COMPONENT SEED RATIO / PLANT DENSITY 2.2.1 Growth, yield and yield attributes of the component crops 2.2.2 Mixed yield, land equivalent ratio and quality traits 2.3 NITROGEN MANAGEMENT 2.3.1 Effect of nitrogen application on cereal/non legumes 2.3.2 Effect of nitrogen application on legumes 2.3.3 Effect of nitrogen application on mixtures 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS **** EXPERIMENTAL SITE 3.1 Soil characteristics 3.2 Meteorological data 3.3 EXPERIMENTS 3.3.1 Experiment No 1 3.3.2 Experiment No 2 VII 3.4 Layout 3.5 Crop husbandry 3.5.1 Seed bed preparation 3.5.2 Crops and their seed rates 3.5.3 Time and method of sowing 3.5.4 Fertilizer application 3.5.5 Irrigation 3.5.6 Harvesting 3.6 Data collection 3.6.1 Observations recorded 3.6.2 Procedures for recording data A. AGRONOMIC PARAMETERS B. PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS C. QUALITY PARAMETERS D. COMPETITIVE FUNCTION E. ECONOMIC ANALYSIS 3.7 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 EXPERIMENT NO. I 4.1.1 AGRONOMIC TRAITS OF FORAGE MAIZE 4.1.1.1 Emergence count (m-2) 4.1.1.2 Number of leaves per plant 4.1.1.3 Plant height of forage maize (cm) 4.1.1.4 Stem diameter of forage maize (cm) 4.1.1.5 Green forage yield of maize (t ha-1) 4.1.1.6 Dry matter yield of maize (t ha-1) 4.1.2. PHYSIOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF FORAGE MAIZE 4.1.2.1 Leaf area index of forage maize 4.1.2.2 Final leaf area duration of forage maize (days) 4.1.2.3 Mean crop growth rate of forage maize (g m-2 d-1) 4.1.3. QUALITY TRAITS OF FORAGE MAIZE 4.1.3.1 Crude protein percentage of forage maize 4.1.3.2 Crude fibre percentage of forage maize 4.1.3.3 Ether extractable fat percentage of forage maize 4.1.3.4 Total ash percentage of forage maize 4.1.4. AGRONOMIC TRAITS OF FORAGE LEGUMES 4.1.4.1 Emergence count (m-2) 4.1.4.2 Plant height of forage legumes (cm) 4.1.4.3 Green forage yield of legumes (t ha-1) Green fresh weight of legumes (kg m-2) 4.1.4.4 Dry matter yield of legumes (t ha-1) Dry weight of legumes (g m-2) 4.1.5. QUALITY TRAITS OF FORAGE LEGUMES 4.1.5.1 Crude protein percentage of forage legumes 4.1.5.2 Crude fibre percentage of forage legumes 4.1.5.3 Ether extractable fat percentage of forage legumes 4.1.5.4 Total ash percentage of forage legumes VIII 4.1.6. MIXED YIELD AND QUALITY 4.1.6.1 Mixed (maize+legume) green forage yield (t ha-1) 4.1.6.2 Mixed (maize+legume) dry matter yield (t ha-1) 4.1.6.3 Crude protein percentage of mixed (maize+legume) forage 4.1.6.4 Crude fibre percentage of mixed (maize+legume) forage 4.1.6.5 Ether extractable fat percentage of mixed (maize+legume) forage 4.1.6.6 Total ash percentage of mixed (maize+legume) forage 4.1.7. COMPETITIVE FUNCTION 4.1.7.1 Land equivalent ratio (LER) 4.2. EXPERIMENT NO. II 4.2.1. AGRONOMIC TRAITS OF FORAGE MAIZE 4.2.1.1 Emergence count (m-2) 4.2.1.2 Number of leaves per plant 4.2.1.3 Plant height of forage maize (cm) 4.2.1.4 Stem diameter of forage maize (cm) 4.2.1.5 Green forage yield of maize (t ha-1) 4.2.1.6 Dry matter yield of maize (t ha-1) 4.2.2. PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FORAGE MAIZE 4.2.2.1 Leaf area index of forage maize 4.2.2.2 Final leaf area duration of forage maize (days) 4.2.2.3 Mean crop growth rate of forage maize (g m-2 d-1) 4.2.3. QAULITY TRAITS OF FORAGE MAIZE 4.2.3.1 Crude protein percentage of forage maize 4.2.3.2 Crude fibre percentage of forage maize 4.2.3.3 Ether extractable fat percentage of forage maize 4.2.3.4 Total ash percentage of forage maize ****** Relationship of dry matter yield with yield contributing parameters and quality traits of forage maize 4.2.4. AGRONOMIC TRAITS OF FORAGE LEGUMES 4.2.4.1 Emergence count of forage legumes (m-2) 4.2.4.2 Plant height of forage legumes (cm) 4.2.4.3 Green forage yield of legumes (t ha-1) 4.2.4.4 Dry matter yield of legumes (t ha-1) 4.2.5. QUALITY TRAITS OF FORAGE LEGUMES 4.2.5.1 Crude protein percentage of forage legumes 4.2.5.2 Crude fibre percentage of forage legumes 4.2.5.3 Ether extractable fat percentage of forage legumes 4.2.5.4 Total ash percentage of forage legumes 4.2.6. MIXED YIELD 4.2.6.1 Mixed (maize+legume) green forage yield (t ha-1) 4.2.6.2 Mixed (maize+legume) dry matter yield (t ha-1) 4.2.7 Economic analysis 5 SUMMARY 6 LITERATURE CITED ****** APPENDICES IX LIST OF TABLES Table No Description Page No. ***** MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.1 Physico-chemical soil analysis of the experimental site during the year 2005 and 3.2 Summary of climatic norms during the cropping season of 2005 and 2006 3.3 Cultivar and seed rate of the crops for sole cropping ***** EXPERIMENT NO. I 4.1 Effect of seed ratios of different maize-legume mixtures on emergence count (m-2) of forage maize LIST OF FIGURES Figur e No Description Page No. 4.1 Periodic number of leaves of forage maize as influenced by seed ratios of different maize-legume mixtures during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.2 Periodic plant height of forage maize as influenced by seed ratios of different maize-legume mixtures during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.3 Periodic stem diameter of forage maize as influenced by seed ratios of different maize-legume mixtures during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.4 Periodic leaf area index of forage maize as influenced by seed ratios of different maize-legume mixtures during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.5 Periodic fresh weight of forage legumes as influenced by seed ratios of different maize-legume mixtures during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.6 Periodic dry weight of forage legumes as influenced by seed ratios of different maize-legume mixtures during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.7 Periodic number of leaves of forage maize as influenced by different nitrogen levels during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.8 Periodic number of leaves of forage maize as influenced by different maize-legume mixtures during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.9 Periodic plant height of forage maize as influenced by different nitrogen levels during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.10 Periodic plant height of forage maize as influenced by different maize-legume mixtures during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.11 Periodic stem diameter of forage maize as influenced by different nitrogen levels during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.12 Periodic stem diameter of forage maize as influenced by different maize-legume mixtures during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.13 Periodic leaf area index of forage maize as influenced by different nitrogen levels during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.14 Periodic leaf area index of forage maize as influenced by different maize-legume mixtures during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.15 Periodic plant height of different forage legumes as influenced by different nitrogen levels during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 4.16 Periodic plant height of different forage legumes as influenced by maize-legume mixtures during (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 XIV
Legume Research, 2024
Background: A significant impediment to the advancement of animal husbandry in India is the insufficient availability of green fodder throughout the year. The nutritive quality of forages is heavily influenced by farm-level management practices. Consequently, there is a pressing need to enhance productivity through the implementation of proper agronomic practices. The nutrient management in fodder-based cropping sequence is a key to maximize the fodder production and its quality. Methods: A field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design, consisting of twelve treatments incorporating various organic sources of nutrients. The experiment was replicated thrice during Kharif and Rabi season 2020-22 at
Pakistan Journal of Life …, 2009
A field experiment to study the effect of nitrogen application on forage yield and quality of maize sown alone and in mixture with legumes was conducted at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications. Maize variety Afgooi sown in mixture with cowpea and sesbania was given nitrogen at the rate of 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha -1 . The growth characteristics of maize like plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem diameter and leaf area were influenced significantly by nitrogen application and were increased with increase in nitrogen levels. The crude protein was also increased with increase in nitrogen levels; however crude fibre and ether extractable fat contents were decreased with increase in nitrogen levels. The growing of maize in mixture with legumes significantly reduced plant height and number of leaves per plant of maize. Dry matter yield showed significant differences and maximum dry matter yield was recorded in maize + sesbania combination (13.25 t ha -1 ). The maize grown in mixture with sesbania may be given nitrogen at the rate of 150 kg ha -1 for getting higher forage yield of good quality.
Fodder productivity and profitability of different maize and legume intercropping systems
The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences
The current trend in global agriculture is to search for highly productive, sustainable and eco-friendly cropping systems. Intercropping of cereals with legumes is a recognized practice for economizing the use of nitrogenous fertilizers and increasing the productivity, quality, and profitability particularly in commercial grain crops but possibilities of fodder production in these intercropping systems is less explored. Availability of green fodder with improved quality to animals is the key to success of dairy enterprises and it is difficult to maintain the health and milk production of the livestock without supply of the quality green fodder. The growing of fodder crops in mixture with legumes has potential to improve palatability and digestibility of fodder (Kumar et al. 2018, Kumar et al. 2016). It is fact that about 65-70% of the total cost of livestock farming is attributed to feeding. However, green fodder production is a good way in order to curtail the cost on feed and fodd...
Eco. Env. & Cons. 22 (1) : 2016; pp. (309-312), 2016
The field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2013 at the Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Kolhapur on sandy clay loam soil with different row ratio of maize-cowpea fodders under sole and intercropping systems for getting higher fodder yield and economics. Green and dry fodder yields of maize, cropping systems either sole maize or maize + cowpea in the ratio of 2:2 were equally good and significantly superior to rest of the systems. The intercropping of maize with cowpea in a row ratio of 2:2 recorded maximum land equivalent ratio (1.15), gross (Rs. 84804/-ha-1) and net (Rs. 39985/-ha-1) returns along with higher benefit: cost ratio (1.89).
Influence of Intercropping Maize with Cowpea on Forage Yield and Quality
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), 2019
In this study, maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) were intercropped in different sowing densities and their monocropping equivalents and tested to determine the best intercropping system on forage yield and quality. Maize was cultivated alone 75 000 plants ha-1 (SM) and intercropped with cowpea as follows: 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 37 500 plants ha-1 of cowpea (MC1), 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 50 000 plants ha-1 of cowpea (MC2) and 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 75 000 plants ha-1 of cowpea (MC3), in rows alternating with maize. The highest dry matter yield was produced by MC3 (20.6 t ha-1), and the lowest by SM (19.3 t ha-1). All intercropped systems had higher crude protein content MC1 (96 g kg-1 DM), MC2 (107 g kg-1 DM) and MC3 (120 g kg-1 DM) than the monocrop maize (76 g kg-1 DM). Intercropping of maize with cowpea reduced neutral detergent and acid detergent fiber content of harvested forage, resulting in increased forage digestibility. Intercropping maize with cowpea could substantially increase forage quantity and quality, and decrease requirements for protein supplements as compared with monocrop maize.
A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soils of Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during the years 2011-12 and 2012-13. The soil of the experimental plot was very low in organic carbon (0.19%) and available nitrogen (169 kg/ ha), medium in available phosphorus (39.65 ka/ha) and potash (271 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in spit plot design with four replications. Fifteen treatment combinations comprised five intercropping treatments viz., IC1 (sole maize), IC2 (sole cowpea), IC3 (maize+cowpea 2 : 1), IC4 (maize+cowpea 3 : 1) and IC5 (maize+cowpea 3 : 1) and three fertility levels viz., F1 (75% RDF), F2 (100% RDF) and F3 (125% RDF). Maize equivalent yield was significantly influenced by intercropping levels. Treatment IC4 (maize+cowpea 2 : 1) recorded significantly higher maize equivalent yield than rest of the treatments. Application of treatments IC4 (maize+cowpea 2 : 1) recorded significantly higher nitrogen content, crude protein content, crude fiber content and phosphorus content in both the crops. Intercropping levels failed to exhibit their significant influence on total ash content, potash content and neutral detergent fiber of both the crops. Regarding soil available nutrients, treatment IC2 (sole cowpea) registered maximum values of nitrogen content but phosphorus and potash content was not influenced significantly by intercropping after harvest of crops. The maize equivalent yield was significantly influenced by fertility levels. Application of F3 (125% RDF) produced significantly higher maize equivalent yield but it was statistically similar with treatment F2 (100% RDF). Application of 125% RDF recorded significantly higher nitrogen content and crude protein content and crude fiber content in both the crops as well as phosphorus content and total ash content in maize crop and it was at par with 100% RDF. Fertility levels failed to exhibit their significant influence on phosphorus content and total ash content in cowpea as well as potash content and neutral detergent fiber in both the crops. Regarding soil available nutrients, treatment F3 (125% RDF) registered maximum values of nitrogen but it was at par with F2 (100% RDF). Application of intercropping IC4 (maize+cowpea 2 : 1) recorded higher net realization of Rs. 30185/ha and higher BCR value of 2.85. Among different fertility levels, application of 125% RDF resulted in higher net realization (Rs. 28865/ha) but higher BCR (2.68) was recorded with treatment F2 (100% RDF) with net realization (Rs. 28411/ha) closely followed by F3 (125% RDF). The land equivalent ratio (1.22) was highest with IC4 (maize+cowpea 2 : 1).
Performance of diverse fodder maize-legume combinations under rainfed conditions of Kashmir
SKUAST journal of research, 2024
Sustainable livestock production depends upon the availability of green fodder crops as it is difficult to maintain the health and milk production of livestock without quality feed. Therefore, the present study was aimed to evaluate the growth of fodder maize and legume mixtures as influenced by various intercropping combinations and their effect on soil fertility status. The experimental findings revealed that plant growth parameters viz: plant height, leaf area index, leaf stem ratio and dry matter accumulation were recorded highest in case of sole maize. Highest green fodder yield was recorded in case of sole maize with dry fodder yield recorded in case of sole maize which was at par with Maize + Soybean (2:1). The soil pH, EC, OC, available N, P and K after the harvest of the experiment was statistically nonsignificant. However, N content of the soil after the experiment was highest in case of sole cropping of soybean and cowpea. Highest N content of the plant was recorded in case of sole cowpea; highest P content was recorded in case of sole maize; highest K content was recorded in case of sole soybean at par with sole cowpea while NPK uptakes were recorded highest in case of sole maize over sole cropping of cowpea and soybean. Besides, highest Crude protein content was found in fodder soybean at par with fodder sole cowpea. In conclusion, fodder maize grown as sole showed improvement in fodder growth parameters and yield compared to the rest of treatments. However, Forage equivalent yield of sole maize was higher yet, was comparable to the maize + soybean intercropped in 2:1 row proportion with lowest recorded in sole fodder cowpea.