Abstract
This study aims to explore the potential use of treated wastewater in irrigating fodder crops and its effects on protein contents. A comparison of the protein contents in intercropped fodder plants irrigated with fresh water, and rainfall water, against those irrigated with treated grey water was performed under Palestinian climate conditions. Field experiments with different intercropping mixing ratios were carried out in 2017–2019 at the National Agricultural Research Centre in Palestine (NARC). Measurements of the nutritional value of each mixture specifically the protein contents were carried out to get the optimal and best conditions for preparing animal feed crops with three different water sources used. For alfalfa with vetch, the best result for protein percentages was (on average) obtained from the rain-fed experiment (17.1% protein) followed by the freshwater experiment (12.9% protein) and then by the treated grey-water experiment (12.6% protein). It appears that the best result for alfalfa with barley for protein percentages was (on average) obtained from the treated grey-water experiment (13.0% protein) followed by the freshwater experiment (11.1% protein) and then by the rain-fed experiment (10.5% protein). Statistical analysis of the data showed that percent protein for each specific mixing ratio resulted in significant differences in the protein % for the those irrigated with fresh water compared with the other types of water. The highest protein % was found to be for that irrigated with fresh water (31.9 for 10/90 alfalfa/barley ratio) followed by that irrigated with treated grey water (28.4 for 20/80 alfalfa/barley ratio) and then for the 30/70 ratio irrigated with treated wastewater (22.5%), and then for the 100/0 ratio of alfalfa/barley irrigated with rainwater (19.0). Overall, results of this study showed that cereal-legume intercropping irrigated with treated grey water can be used as a suitable management strategy for producing high-quality and high-quantity forage. Furthermore, the use of treated water can reduce the already strained demand on fresh water due to increase in population among other factors.
Highlights
IntroductionIntercropping is widely used by smallholder farmers in developing countries and attracting attention in the context of ecological intensification of agriculture in developed countries [1]
Results and Discussion e protein percentages from the intercropping were determined by measuring the total nitrogen content from 3 to 15 mg subsamples of finely ground material using the Kjeldahl apparatus. e theory is based on determination of the total nitrogen in a sample using the Kjeldahl. is instrument is one of the most accurate and widely used methods for determining nitrogen in substance such as milk, cereal, and flour. e solid is first digested in boiling sulfuric acid, which converts nitrogen to ammonium ion and oxidizes to other elements as in Organic C, H, N ⟶ NH+4 + CO2 + H2O
Comparing the protein % for alfalfa/barley different ratios irrigated with fresh water, rainwater, and grey water: the highest protein % was found to be for that irrigated with fresh water (31.9 for 10/90 alfalfa/barley ratio) followed by that irrigated with treated grey water (28.4 for 20/80 alfalfa/ barley ratio) and for the 30/70 ratio irrigated with treated wastewater (22.5%), and for the 100/0 ratio of alfalfa/barley irrigated with rainwater (19.0)
Summary
Intercropping is widely used by smallholder farmers in developing countries and attracting attention in the context of ecological intensification of agriculture in developed countries [1]. Intercropping becomes important in areas with limited rainfall or semiarid climates [2]. Due to low rain fall and dry areas in certain parts of Palestine [3], diminishing supply of fresh water, and the recognition of using treated water in cropping animal feed crops with significant nutritional values, intercropping was performed by growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same field to optimize parameters of irrigation and maximize benefits of products. Integrated intercropping of legumes is an option, aiming at optimizing the agronomic efficiency of applied inputs [24]. Legume integration is an important component of agricultural and animal feed systems [4, 5]. Legume-cereal intercropping, especially corn-beans intercropping, is common throughout many parts of the world [6].
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