Biomass accumulation and chemical composition of Massai grass intercropped with forage legumes on an integrated crop-livestock-forest system

Abstract

-The objective was to evaluate the use of woody legumes (Albizia lebbeck, Cratylia argentea, Dipteryx Allata (Baru), a Leucaena hybrid (L. leucocephala + L. diversifolia), and Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham) and herbaceous legumes (Arachis pintoi) intercropped with Panicum maximum cv. Massai, simultaneously implanted in a maize crop. The study made use of a randomized block experimental design with four replications. Assessments of biomass accumulation and forage nutritional value were made after the maize harvest, between June 2008 and October 2010. It was found that the residues of maize provided better growing conditions for Massai grass during the dry season. L. leucocephala cv. Cunningham and the Leucaena hybrid had the highest accumulation of all forage legumes evaluated, and provided the best nutritional value of all the arrangements tested. Of all woody legumes tested in this system, Leucaena was considered feasible for intercropping with Massai grass. The intercrop of perennial woody Baru with maize is not recommended. Albizia lebbeck and Cratylia argentea require further study, especially the yield assessment at different cutting intervals and cutting heights. Arachis pintoi had a low participation in the intercropping, showing greater performance over time, indicating slow thriving in this experimental condition.

Nutrient and Rumen Fermentation Studies of Indian Pasture Legumes for Sustainable Animal Feed Utilisation in Semiarid Areas

“…The relative feed value (RFV) of ten varieties of S. guyanensis in a range of 102.8-130.5% [46] [63]. The DMD of Arachis species (AG and AH) was higher (650 and 663 g/kg DM) except LLP than other legume species, which is similar to previous observations [64] where it was reported that the DMD of Arachis species in general is greater than other tropical legumes.…”

Crescimento e decomposição de raízes finas e qualidade do solo sob sistemas integrados de agricultura, pecuária e floresta (São Carlos, SP)

“…Em SIPAs tem-se dado maior atenção aos impactos do sistema na produção de biomassa da parte aérea e produtividade de grãos e madeira (FRANCHINI et al, 2014;VOLPE;LEMPP, 2014;TONINI et al, 2016;. No entanto, ainda é incipiente o conhecimento da dinâmica de crescimento do sistema radicular das diferentes espécies cultivadas em sucessão e/ou consórcios nestes sistemas.…”