Abstract
The study was conducted during the main cropping season of 2019/2020 at Assosa in Benishangul-Gumuz regional state. The aim of the study was to evaluate herbage dry matter yield, nutritional quality and biological compatibility of desho grass mixed with Stylo and Desmodium. The treatments included two legume species (Stylosanthes guyanensis and Desmodium unicinatum) and desho grass with four levels of seed proportions (100%, 75%, 50% and 25%) of the recommended seeding rates of the two legume forages. Randomized complete block design with four replications was used. The results revealed that number of tillers per plant (NTPP), plant height (PH) and leaf to stem ratio (LSR), plot cover and vigor score percentage, dry matter yield (DMY) tha<sup>-1</sup>, and the quality parameters such as, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent Lignin (ADL), In-vitro Dry matter Digestibility (IVDMD) and crude protein yield (CPY) tha<sup>-1</sup> were significantly (P<0.05) differed among the different seed proportions of desho grass with legume mixtures. The highest total dry matter yield (11.05 t ha<sup>-1</sup>) was obtained from the sole desho grass planted with Nitrogen fertilizer followed by sole desho grass planted without fertilizer (10.17 t ha<sup>-1 </sup>) from the mixed cropping groups mixed crop containing 75% desho grass and 25% Stylo gives a higher total dry mater yield (7.44 tha<sup>-1</sup>). On the other hand desmodium sown in pure stands had lower DMY compared to legume-grass mixtures (3.37tha<sup>-1</sup>). In terms of quality, increasing the seed proportions of both legume species in the mixture resulted in higher CP%, CPY (tha<sup>-1</sup>) and IVDMD% and lower NDF%, ADF% and ADL% contents. Relative yield total of desho grass-legume mixtures at Desho<sub>75 </sub>Stylo<sub>25 </sub>(1.43), Desho<sub>50 </sub>Desmodium <sub>50 </sub>(1.39) and Desho<sub>25 </sub>Stylo<sub>75 </sub>(1.33) were better compared to the other mixtures and pure stands. Generally, mixing of desho grass with legume species at different seed proportions of 75% desho grass: 25% stylo and 50% desho grass: 50% Stylo produced better dry matter yield, nutritional quality and compatibility in the study area when compared to the mixed cropped plants. However, the experiment should be conducted for more years at different locations to recommend the best desho grass legume mixtures for Assosa area of Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State. It is also suggested to do on animal performance trial of this result based on animal feeding practice and economic feasibility in order to come up with sound recommendations.
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