The productive potential of intercropping Buffel-grass with Moringa: sustainable forage production in a semi-arid region

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the effect of different tree densities on the productive, structural, chemical composition, thermal and light conditions of the intercropping of buffel-grass (Cenchrus ciliares L.) with moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.). The experimental design was randomised blocks, with four replications. The treatments consisted of moringa cultivation in five tree densities: 0; 3000; 4000; 6000 and 10,000 trees/ha, with buffel grass grown between the lines of the trees. There was no alteration in the thermal and luminous conditions of the consortiums as a function of tree densities. Canopy height and tiller population density of buffel-grass were adjusted by quadratic equations as a function of tree density, with lower values estimated at densities of 8833.5 and 7275.0 trees/ha, respectively. Nevertheless, moringa forage mass was adjusted by a linear equation (β1 = 0.0655). There was no effect of tree density on dry matter, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, crude protein, and lignin in both species. Therefore, the increase in tree density promotes growth in the forage production of moringa and a reduction in the production of buffel-grass but does not alter the chemical composition of forage plants.