Relay Intercropping with Cover Crops Improved Autumn Forage Potential of Sweet Maize Stover

Lauriault, Leonard M.; Guldan, Steven J.; Popiel-Powers, Fernanda G.; Steiner, Robert L.; Martin, Claude; Heyduck, Robert; Falk, Constance L.; Petersen, M. K.; May, Tammy

doi:10.3390/agriculture8070103

Cited by 6 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 34 publications

(130 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although maize harvested for grain does not provide a large enough window for fall grazing, interseeding of cover crops into standing maize to increase the nutritional value of maize stover can be an alternative establishment method. Interseeding turnips (Brassica rapa L.) into standing maize has been shown to increase in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of sweet maize stover and increased ADG [55]. Similarly, Villalobos and Brummer [56] reported that interseeded cover crops at V6 growth stage in irrigated maize increased crude protein content and fiber digestibility for the maize stalks-cover crop mixture in the fall compared with maize stalks alone.…”

Section: Interseeded Annual Forages Into Maize To Improve Grazing Value Of Maize Stovermentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Intensification of Food Production by Integrating Forages

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Forage crops have the potential to serve multiple functions, providing an ecological framework to sustainably intensify food production, i.e., ecological intensification. We review three categories of forages (annual forages, perennial forages, and dual-use perennial crops/forages) we believe hold the greatest promise for ecologically intensifying food production. Annual cover crops can provide additional forage resources while mitigating nutrient losses from agricultural fields when they are intercropped with, interseeded into, or following an annual crop, for instance. The integration of perennial forages either temporally, such as annual crop rotations that include a perennial forage phase, or spatially, such as the intercropping of perennial forages with an annual cash crop, provide weed suppression, soil quality, and yield and crop quality benefits. Dual-use crops/forages can provide forage and a grain crop in a single year while providing multiple ecological and economic benefits. However, tradeoffs in balancing multiple functions and limitations in reducing the risks associated with these practices exist. Advancing our understanding of these systems so we can overcome some of the limitations will play a critical role in increasing food production while promoting positive environmental outcomes.

show abstract

Section: Interseeded Annual Forages Into Maize To Improve Grazing Value Of Maize Stovermentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Intensification of Food Production by Integrating Forages

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The site and general methods for this study were previously described in Lauriault et al [ 17 ], using different experimental units within the same randomization. In the present study, the trials with relay intercropping treatments (sweet maize overseeded with rye (maize–rye) and sweet maize overseeded with hairy vetch (maize–vetch)) were conducted in three years at New Mexico State University’s Alcalde Sustainable Agriculture Science Center (36.08° N, 106.05° W, elev.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Winter cereal forages are used widely in the irrigated western USA and other semiarid regions of the world for supplemental autumn and winter forage, and are especially beneficial to provide pasture high in nutritive value for recently weaned calves [ 3 , 16 ]. Lauriault et al (2018) [ 17 ] reported that newly weaned beef cattle grazing sweet maize stover overseeded with oat ( Avena sativa L.) or turnip ( Brassica rapa L.) in the autumn had increased average daily gains (ADG), compared to those grazing sweet maize stover only. Butler et al [ 18 ] reported a similar performance by cattle grazing rye-annual ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relay Intercropping Winter Cover Crop Effects on Spring Forage Potential of Sweet Maize Stover and Yearling Cattle Beef Performance

Lauriault

Guldan

Popiel-Powers

et al. 2022

Animals

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Small landholders who grow sweet maize for the fresh produce market often also have cattle with little access to winter forage. Grazing cover crops with sweet maize stover can potentially increase the available nutritive value. A 3-year randomized complete block study with three replicates at New Mexico State University’s Alcalde Sustainable Agriculture Science Center compared sweet maize (Zea mays var. rugosa) with sweet maize relay intercropped at the V7–9 stage with cereal rye (rye: Secale cereale L.) or hairy vetch (vetch: Vicia villosa Roth) for early spring grazing. Intercropping the rye or hairy vetch into sweet maize did not influence the sweet maize stover biomass yield or nutritive value after the winter. The dry matter (DM) yield and crude protein (CP) concentration of hairy vetch biomass was greater (p < 0.01) than rye biomass (1.46 vs. 2.94 Mg DM ha−1 for rye and hairy vetch, respectively, and 145 vs. 193 g CP kg−1 for rye and hairy vetch, respectively). Average daily gains by yearling cattle were not different when grazing maize–rye or maize–vetch. Producers should consider the spring planting timing of the primary crop and the initiation of grazing in the winter or the spring to maximize the utilization of the previous crop’s residue (stover), as well as the cover crop itself.

show abstract

“…Covering species, especially grasses, play an important role in the search for technical and economic viability of NT in different regions of Brazil, especially in tropical regions, due to the difficulty of production in the off-season and the rapid decomposition of the accumulated biomass [5,6], leaving the soil unprotected [7]. Intercropping of perennial forages with maize is an alternative for establishing ground cover crops, with the objective of producing maize and soybean grains in NT, keeping the soil permanently covered [8][9][10]. In addition to the high production and persistence of straw, perennial forages have been considered to improve the soil environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil Organic Matter and Aggregate Stability in Soybean, Maize and Urochloa Production Systems in a Very Clayey Soil of the Brazilian Savanna

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Forage grasses cultivation in production system with soybean and maize is an alternative to improve tropical weathered soils quality in Brazil. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects in the production systems involving cultivation of Urochloa brizantha cv. Piatã, in monoculture or in succession with soybean and maize crops, on organic matter and structuring of soil in Brazilian savanna. The experiment was implemented in the 2010/2011 season. The treatments consisted of nine production systems and a native forest (savanna) as a reference area. In March 2017, soil sampling was carried out for C and N analysis, physical and chemical fractionation of SOM and aggregate stability. Production systems influenced total organic carbon (TOC) and aggregate stability, mainly in the surface layers, leading to changes in SOM quality. TOC was 31% lower in monoculture soybean production system, when compared to native savanna area, in the 0.00–0.20 m layer. The agricultural production systems influence organic matter quality and soil aggregates stability. For the Brazilian savanna conditions, grain cultivation systems under no-tillage that integrate Urochloa brizantha cv. Piatã contribute to the soil quality improvement. Soybean monoculture generally provides worse soil quality indices compared to other agricultural production systems.

show abstract

Relay Intercropping with Cover Crops Improved Autumn Forage Potential of Sweet Maize Stover

Cited by 6 publications

References 34 publications

Ecological Intensification of Food Production by Integrating Forages

Ecological Intensification of Food Production by Integrating Forages

Relay Intercropping Winter Cover Crop Effects on Spring Forage Potential of Sweet Maize Stover and Yearling Cattle Beef Performance

Soil Organic Matter and Aggregate Stability in Soybean, Maize and Urochloa Production Systems in a Very Clayey Soil of the Brazilian Savanna

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About