Abstract
Intercropping of forage grasses and legumes can increase forage productivity and nutritive value; however, intercropping of corn with warm-season forages has not yet been studied in southeast U.S., thus requiring more information. The purpose of this study was to determine the yield and nutritive value potential of warm-season annual forages intercropped with corn (Zea mays L.) for silage production. Crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.)] is considered a weed for corn production systems; however, our study shows that if crabgrass is interseeded with corn, it does not compete for resources and can maintain high corn yields. Forage mass for sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) was higher than that of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and crabgrass in 2016, due to a drought in spring and summer, giving sunn hemp a competitive advantage. Crude protein content was higher for cowpea as compared to crabgrass and sunn hemp, due to cowpea’s ability to maintain its vegetative stage and high N-fixation, when compared to crabgrass and sunn hemp. Despite differences in the mass of the intercropped forages, the total herbage mass of the produced silage did not differ in 2016 and 2017. Intercropped forages can be harvested and ensiled with corn for silage production or can be left with the corn residue after harvesting to be grazed on in integrated crop-livestock systems.
Highlights
IntroductionOne of the benefits of intercropping is improved land use efficiency [1]
Intercropping is a system where two or more species are grown on the same land at the same time.One of the benefits of intercropping is improved land use efficiency [1]
This study was conducted at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center (MTREC)
Summary
One of the benefits of intercropping is improved land use efficiency [1]. Forage crops have been identified as important components of diversified intercropping systems, reducing irrigation water use [4], improving soil erosion protection [5], decreasing nutrient losses through leaching and runoff [6], increasing C sequestration [7], increasing weed suppression [8], and providing critical habitat for wildlife [9]. When forage crops are used within intercropping systems, the producers gain long-term environmental and soil quality benefits, while potentially achieving short-term economic value within their operations [10]. In the early stages of development, palisadegrass shows slow growth, and corn with its higher rate of dry matter accumulation provides excellent characteristics for intercropping with smaller species [12]. In the Unites States, most intercropping systems are composed of grain
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