Corn-Soybean Intercropping Improved the Nutritional Quality of Forage Cultivated on Podzols in Boreal Climate

Abstract

Intercropping systems could be a potential source of nutrient-rich forage production in cool climates on podzolic soils common in boreal ecosystems. In this study, we evaluated the effects of corn–soybean intercropping (IC) on the nutritional quality of forage. Two silage corn varieties were cultivated as monocropping (MC) or were intercropped with three forage soybean varieties using a randomized complete block design. IC significantly increased the crude protein (22%) and decreased the acid detergent (14%) and neutral detergent (6%) fibers. Forage net energy, total digestible nutrients, ash, dry matter intake, digestible dry matter and relative feed value were also significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) in the IC treatments compared to corn MC. The macro and micro nutrients were higher in IC than corn MC. Intercropping increased the omega 3 fatty acid (FA) contents (67%) compared to corn MC. IC also increased the active microbial community in the plant root zone, which may contribute to the improvement in forage nutritional quality because the active soil microbial community composition showed significant correlations with soluble sugars, soluble proteins and potassium contents of the forage. These results demonstrate that corn–soybean IC could be a suitable cropping system to increase the nutritional quality of forage cultivated on podzols in boreal climates. The resultant forage has the potential to be a source of high-value animal feed for livestock production in cool climate regions of the world.

Changes in Chemical Composition of Lentils, Including Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Volatile Compound Formation during Submerged and Solid-State Fermentation with Pediococcus acidilactici

“…The major fatty acid detected in lentil samples was C18:2, as noted in the literature, and, furthermore, driving PUFA were described to be most abundant group of fatty acids in lentils [5,61,62]. Most of the established differences observed between the L and LR sample groups (fermented and non-fermented) can be explained by differences in type of cultivar, genotype, or growing conditions [63,64].…”

Forage Yield and Quality Characteristics of Winter Legume / Grass Mixtures Harvested at Different Phenological Stages

“…[34] obtained similar results, while Rizvi et. al [33] stated that ADF and NDF had a negative correlation with RFV. Zaeem et.…”

Field pea/spring triticale mixtures influenced iron and manganese concentrations in soil and forage plant uptake

“…(2023) and Zaeem et al. (2021) also indicate greater micronutrient content in legumes compared to cereal crops. The reason for this according to Sen Gupta et al.…”

“…The greatest content of Fe and Mn in the fodder was determined in peas grown in pure sowing and the least in spring triticale grown in pure sowing. Research by Hansen et al (2023) and Zaeem et al (2021) also indicate greater micronutrient content in legumes compared to cereal crops. The reason for this according to Sen Gupta et al (2017) and Zuo and Zhang (2011) is that legumes can induce reduction of Fe and Mn by the ferric reductase enzyme expressed on the epidermal cells of roots, which can greatly help the root system to absorb cation micronutrients.…”