Forage Yield and Silage Quality of Intercropped Maize+Soybean With Different Relative Maturity Cycle

Vanderson Vieira Batista,André Brugnara Soares,Amanda Cassu Da Fonseca,Magali Floriano Da Silveira,Douglas Camana,Michael Luiz Ferreira,Karine Fuschter Oligini,Paulo Fernando Adami,Laercio Ricardo Sartor,Cleverson Luiz Giacomel,Diego Kwiecinski

doi:10.5539/jas.v10n12p249

Abstract

The success of maize+soybean intercrop depends on the correct synchronism between species phenological stages at the silage point. Due to it, the experiment was carried out to evaluate maize+soybean intercrop forage yield and silage quality using crops with different maturity cycle combination. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with a 2 &times; 3 factorial scheme. Treatments consisted of two maize hybrids (1: P1630YHR-early cycle and 2: middle cycle P30F53VYHR) and two soybean cultivars (P95R51-maturity cycle of 5.1; TMG7062-maturity cycle of 6.2) and one control represented by maize monocrop. Silage harvesting was performed when maize had reached 2/3 milk line stage. Intercropping soybean into maize did not affect its biomass yield. Both soybean cultivars present compatible cycles for ensiling together with maize hybrids, since they were in phenological stages from R5.3 to R7 by the time maize was at its optimum stage for ensiling. There was interaction between species for the soybean biomass yield. Maize hybrid P30F53 produced higher biomass yield than P1630 what also resulted in higher amount of total crude protein yield. Intercrop P1630-P95R51 produced 458 Kg ha-1 of crude protein more than maize monocrop. Maize+soybean intercropping system results in higher silage crude protein percentage and yield per area (Kg of CP ha-1).

Highlights

Maize silage is an important source of feed, in the Brazilian dairy industry
Previous studies have documented that maize+soybean intercrop systems result in better environmental sources use efficiency for plant growth and stable yields when compared to monocrop system due to interspecific complementarily, facilitation and competition (Li et al, 2013; Latati et al, 2016)
Treatments consisted of two maize hybrids (1: P1630YHR-early cycle and 2: middle cycle P30F53VYHR) and soybean cultivars (1: P95R51-relative maturity 5.1; 2: TMG7062-relative maturity 6.2 and 3: without soybean represented by maize monocrop) resulting in six treatments in the combination of these factors

Summary

Introduction

Maize silage is an important source of feed, in the Brazilian dairy industry. The important traits of maize silage include high yield and high metabolisable energy, it has low protein content (Millner et al, 2005). Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is an important high-quality protein source for human and animal nutrition. It is mainly grown for grain and oil production, research have been showing its potential to be intercropped with maize (grow both species together at the same time and the same piece of land) (Sánchez et al, 2010). Previous studies have documented that maize+soybean intercrop systems result in better environmental sources use efficiency for plant growth and stable yields when compared to monocrop system due to interspecific complementarily, facilitation and competition (Li et al, 2013; Latati et al, 2016)

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