Abstract
Abstract Fresh forages are the cheapest source of animal feed in world. Small grain cereals (SGC) are the most commonly used fresh forages or ensiled forage. Clovers are the perennial legumes that offer quality forage but their initial dry matter (DM) yield is low. Usually, SGC and clover are sown in mixtures to draw benefits from greater Cut-1 DM yield of cereals and biological nitrogen (N) fixation of clovers. However, mixtures are difficult to manage, compared to monoculture owing to differences in their growth pattern, temporal, spatial and physical requirements. In this review, SGC-clover mixtures are analyzed for their potential herbage DM yield and quality of the produce. Effect of various management factors on the productivity of forage mixtures are well documented. Decisions in managing mixtures, like choice of cereal and cutting time and how they affect the value of the final produce is reviewed. Besides decision, effect of relative proportion and spatial arrangement of intercrops is also deliberated. Special attention is paid to the competition between SGC and clovers and its impact on clover suppression in mixture. At the end conclusions are drawn to optimize production from mixtures.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
