Intercropping of Maize (Zea mays) and Cowpea (Vigna sinensis) as Whole-Crop Forage: Effect of Different Planting Pattern on Total Dry Matter Production and … (original) (raw)
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IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science
Mixtures of cereals and legumes are used extensively for forage production. Maize (Zea mays) and cowpea (Vigna sinensis) monocultures as well as their mixture in three planting patterns (M1: alternate-row intercrop, M2: within-row intercrop, M3: mixed intercrop) were used to investigate on forage yield as well as the effect of intercropping on maize forage quality. The experiment was carried out as randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that intercropping systems had a significant effect on forage dry weight, where dry matter yield was increased by intercropping as compared with maize and cowpea sole crops. It was related with a higher consumption of environmental resources, such as photosynthetically active radiation and soil moisture, by intercropping. Maize forage quality in terms of crude protein was improved by intercropping. It was because of more nitrogen availability for maize in intercropping compared with its sole crop.
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.
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...
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).
Influence of Intercropping Maize with Climbing Bean on Forage Yield and Quality
AGROFOR
Maize forage is poor in protein content which shows its low quality and nutritive value. Regarding to high feed costs of protein supplementations, legumes can be used in livestock nutrition for their high protein content and, thus, providing cost savings. Since legumes have low dry matter yield, acceptable forage yield and quality can obtained from intercropping cereals and legumes compared with their sole crops. In this study, maize (Zea mays L.) and climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were intercropped in different sowing densities and their monocropping equivalents were tested to determine the best intercropping system on forage yield and quality. Maize was cultivated alone (75 000 plants ha-1) and intercropped with bean as follows: 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 37 500 plants ha-1 of bean (MB1), 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 50 000 plants ha-1 of bean (MB2) and 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 75 000 plants ha-1 of bean (MB3), in rows alternating with maize. The highest dry ...
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
Forage Production Potential of Maize -Cowpea Intercropping in Maichew -Southern Tigray, Ethiopia
Juniper Publishers Inc., , 2018
Needless to mention the ever increasing pressure on cultivated land for food & commercial crops, diminishing the area for forage production. RCBD five treatments with three replications experiment compared maize grown as sole crop with maizecowpea intercropped to assess agronomic, nutritional and economic returns of forage production. Average plant performance ranged 122.85-174.19cm maize plant height; 20.7-26.4cm ear length, & number of leaves/maize plant was 9.13-10.52. The effect of intercropping treatments on maize forage yield was significant (P<0.05), however, there was no significant difference in grain yield among the cropping systems though T5 yielded higher and higher 100 maize grains weight followed by T4 yield and 21.74g average 100 maize grain weight; T3 (3.05ton/ha) and 21.84g average 100 maize seeds and the least in yield was actually the sole maize T2 (2.24ton/ha), confirming that intercropping has at least, some scenario better than sole cropping practices. There was no significant soil NPK effect pre-sowing and postharvest. Nutritionally, feed quality of maize parts was significant difference among the intercropping systems that stated in their descending value of cowpea hay, as follows: NDF (T3>T1>T5>T4); ADF (T1>T5>T3>T4) and typical in CP. lignin content (T1>T5>T4>T3), while IVDMD% (T3>T4>T5>T1). NDF content was significantly higher in maize stem and least in grain. Maize husk significantly over dominated in ADF content than stem, leaf and grain in descending order. ADF content was great significant in the entire parts that maize husk has higher than stem which exceeds leaf. Grain was the least in ADF content of all maize parts. Similarly, maize stem was significantly higher in lignin than husk, leaf and grain. LER was 1.45 in the mixtures indicating yield advantage over sole crops. T4 has the potential for enhancing cowpea and maize performances. Favourable seasons for better DM yield and chemical composition of both crops should be researched.
International Journal of Environment and Climate Change
The current study evaluated the impact of intercropping Cowpea and Moong bean on Maize yield and its constituent parts. Nine different treatments were used in the experiment viz., (T1) sole Maize, (T2) sole Cowpea, (T3) sole Moong bean, (T4) Maize + Cowpea (1:1), (T5) Maize + Cowpea (1:2), (T6) Maize + Cowpea (1:3), (T7) Maize + Moong bean (1:1), (T8) Maize + Moong bean (1:2) and, (T9) Maize + Moong bean (2:1) in a randomized block design with three replications in Kharif season. The findings showed that intercropped plants had greater potential and produced higher values for the majority of the studied criteria, including plant height, chlorophyll meter reading (SPAD) number of cobs plant-1, number of rows cob-1, number of grains row-1, 100-grain weight, and straw and grain yields Intercrop’s seed yields were less in intercropped treatments than sole Maize. (T5) Maize + Cowpea (1:2) was best treatment having highest yield (5915.83 kg ha-1), maximum LER (1.8) and MEY (kg ha-1) (11...
Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research
The study was conducted at Adami Tulu and Dugda districts of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia to determine the optimum level of seeding ratio and planting time of cowpea under maize for optimum forage biomass production and maize grain yield. Combinations of four levels of cowpea seeding ratios and four different cowpea planting dates were laid out in a randomized complete block design in factorial arrangement with three replications. The levels of seeding ratios were 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, 0% (sole maize) for the two districts. The four planting dates for cowpea were simultaneously planting with maize, 10 days after maize planting (DAMP), 20 DAMP and 30 DAMP. The results indicated that increasing seeding ratio of cowpea from 25% to the highest level (100%) resulted in significantly increased cowpea forage biomass yield. Time of cowpea planting in maize also influenced the plant height and biomass yield of cowpea. The highest forage biomass yield was recorded from simultaneously planti...