Abstract
Maize and soybean intercropping is a cereal-legume intercropping pattern that not only increases grain yield but also improves the nutritional value of silage. Experiments were conducted in the summer season to compare the yield and nutritional composition of the forage and silage quality of mono-cropped maize and intercropped maize-soybean harvested at two stages of maturity. The main treatments were one sole crop maize (SM) and four maize-soybean intercropping patterns (one-row maize to one-row soybean (1M1S), one-row maize to two-row soybean (1M2S), one-row maize to three-row soybean (1M3S), and two-row maize to one-row soybean (2M1S). The crops were harvested when the maize reached the milk (R3) and maturity (R6) stages. Results indicated a significant increase in the fresh biomass and dry-matter production of maize fodder alone compared with those of maize intercropped with soybean fodder. After 60 days of ensiling period, silage samples were analyzed for pH, organic acids, dry matter, crude protein (CP), ether extract, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and other mineral compositions. All intercropped silages showed higher CP values (1M1S, 12.1%; 1M2S, 12.2%; 1M3S, 12.4%; and 2M1S, 12.1%) than the SM silage (8.7%). Higher organic acids were produced in 1M3S than in the other silages. Correlation data showed that CP was highly correlated with lactic acid but negatively associated with crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, and NDF. Thus, the intercropping of maize and soybean silage is recommended due its enhanced crop production, nutritional values in dairy animals, and prolific animal feedings and because it was scientifically evaluated as a feed stuff. This study indicated that 1M3S was the most preferable among intercropped silages in terms of nutrient composition.
Highlights
Geren et al [29] indicated that mono-cropped maize produced higher biomass and DM yield (DMY) than maize intercropped with cowpea
The results showed that intercropping maize with soybean increased crude protein (CP), and decreased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations in silages
This study confirmed that the intercropping of maize with soybean at two maturity stages is an effective method to increase fresh fodder production and to enhance the nutrient quality of forage and silage, ensuring the supply of nutritionally rich forage and silage for livestock feeding
Summary
Many crops are currently being cultivated in China, but most areas and regions are divided, especially for maize production and cultivation, due to the nutritional and market values of these crops. Maize (Zea mays L.), a major cereal grain, is widely cultivated in. Maize has the potential to supply large amounts of energy-rich forage for animal diets, and its fodder could safely be fed at all growth stages without any danger of oxalic acid, or prussic acid toxicity as in the case of sorghum [1]. Developed countries recently recommended maize silage for dairy animals, fattening animals, and young growing animals for enhanced physical production due to its nutritional aspects. Bilal et al [2] reported that maize silage became a major important forage source for dairy cows throughout the world. Ivan et al [3] and
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