Study the effect of intercropping maize and pearl millet on fodder yield quantity and quality

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Former M. Sc. Student, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

2 Associate Professor, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

3 Professor, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

To determine the effect of intercropping maize with pearl millet on dry fodder yield and quality an experiment was conducted at research field of Agriculture and Natural Resources College of Tehran University in Karaj in 2011. The experiment designed in a randomized complete block with four replications. Intercropping treatments included replacement series of pearl millet 25%: 75% forage maize, pearl millet 50%: 50% forage maize, pearl millet 75%: 25% forage maize and augment series of pearl millet 20%: 100% forage maize, pearl millet 40%: 100% forage maize, forage maize 20%: 100% pearl millet, forage maize 40%: 100% pearl millet plus pure culture both forage maize and millet. The results showed that sum of two harvest times gave the highest forage yield of millet per plant (dry) from treatment combination of pearl millet 75%: 25% forage maize. Similarly, the highest maize forage yield per plant (dry) from treatment combination of pearl millet 75%: 25% forage, respectively. Different arrangement of intercropping on quality traits, dry mater digestibility, acid detergent fiber and water soluble carbohydrates fodder millet (second harvest) and quality traits dry mater digestibility, acid detergent fiber, total ash, water soluble carbohydrates and crude protein fodder maize put a significant effect. In the experiment, the maximum amount of land equivalent ratio in the dry forage makeup additive intercropping 20% corn: 100% millet with a 60% performance increase allocated.

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References

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Iranian Journal of Field Crop Science
Volume 48, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
September 2017
Pages 329-338

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 April 2015
  • Revise Date: 26 July 2016
  • Accept Date: 31 July 2016
  • Publish Date: 23 August 2017

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