Effect of Intercropped Tropical Perennial Grasses on the Production of Sorghum‐Based Silage

Abstract

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] intercropped with tropical grasses can be used in silage production systems to increase the dry matter yield per area, provide pasture after sorghum harvesting and improve land‐use efficiency (LUE). Our objective was to compare the production and quality of sorghum silage intercropped with palisade grass [Urochloa brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf ‘Marandu’] or guinea grass [Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs ‘Tanzânia’] with that of monocropped sorghum, the pasture in the off‐season, as well as the land equivalent ratios of these systems during two growing seasons (2010–2011 and 2011–2012). The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with four replicates. The treatments were: monocropped sorghum silage, sorghum silage intercropped with palisade grass and sorghum silage intercropped with guinea grass. The productivity of the intercropped systems was as high as that of the monocropped sorghum. The development of the sorghum was not affected by intercropping with grasses. Intercropping sorghum with tropical grasses generally increases the fiber content of the silage compared with monocropped sorghum; however, this is a viable option for producing feed with adequate nutritional quality. Intercropping sorghum with palisade grass improved the land equivalent ratio, resulting in greater LUE. Intercropping sorghum with palisade and guinea grass also improved the relative N yield compared with monocropped sorghum and did not influence aggressivity and relative crowding coefficient. The main benefit of these intercropping systems is established grazing during the off‐season, which can be considered a good cultivation strategy for tropical regions.Core Ideas Intercropping crops in a no‐till system increase the diversification of agricultural production. Intercropping systems provide better uses of agricultural areas throughout the year. The intercropping systems productivity is as high as that of monocropped crops. Intercropping sorghum with grasses is a viable option for feed production. One of the intercropping systems benefits is established grazing during the off‐season.

Can Palisade and Guinea Grass Sowing Time in Intercropping Systems Affect Soybean Yield and Soil Chemical Properties?

“…These grass species are drought tolerant, have deep root systems, produce high biomass, cycle nutrients, and maintain soil moisture through the cash crop cycle. In general, palisade and guinea grass provide adequate nutritional quality in intercropping systems and exhibit good potential for regrowth and pasture production during the off-season, thus increasing animal carrying capacity (Costa et al, 2016a;Pariz et al, 2017;Moraes et al, 2019). However, compared with grasses grown in succession, the physiological maturation of grasses intercropped with maize is more advanced, resulting in higher levels of cell wall components.…”

“…In addition, Pacheco et al (2017) observed that intercropping ruzigrass and maize improved nutrient cycling, and Pariz et al (2016) found higher availability of P, K and Mg in the soil after intercropping of maize and palisade grass. Thus, intercropping grain crops with tropical perennial forage can increase food production (grain or silage + pasture) per unit area in tropical regions (Costa et al, 2016a).…”

“…Environmental conditions also affect grass cover crop development; for example, the initial development of palisade and guinea grass is limited by low temperatures and insufficient water (Costa et al, 2005). Depending on the climatic conditions, sowing tropical fodder after harvesting commercial crops may not provide enough soil cover during the off-season (Costa et al, 2016a;Mateus et al, 2016). However, the best sowing period of these two forage species in tropical regions is not yet known.…”

An Innovative Corn to Silage-Grass-Legume Intercropping System With Oversown Black Oat and Soybean to Silage in Succession for the Improvement of Nutrient Cycling

“…Furthermore, ICLS can contribute to increased global food production in the future (Wirsenius et al, 2010;Franzluebbers and Stuedemann, 2014). In this context, the intercropping of tropical forage grasses with grain crops could be a key strategy for enhancing the early establishment and successful production of a winter season (with low and irregular rainfall) forage for grazing (Costa et al, 2016;Crusciol et al, 2016;Pariz et al, 2016). Nevertheless, many of these studies did not utilize animal grazing.…”

Nutrients dynamics in corn-<em>Brachiaria</em> intercropping systems

“…Overall, the intercropping is planted under no-tillage and receive the same cultivation practices that the monoculture corn. After corn harvesting, the palisadegrass continue to grow (50-130 kg ha -1 day -1 ), utilized as cover crop, pasture or both in crop-livestock integration (Costa et al, 2016;Almeida et al, 2017b). Nitrogen (N) availability is one of main resources determining intercropping yield (Poffenbarger et al, 2016;.…”