Response of guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) genotypes to intercropping with forage legumes under varying nitrogen management options

Abstract

Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) is an important source of forage in India but it remains dormant during the winter season. The space between rows of grass can be utilized by incorporating forage legumes. This 3‐year study evaluated two genotypes of guinea grass in monocropping and intercropping with cowpea and Egyptian clover under different N management options. Guinea grass genotype BG‐2 produced higher dry‐matter yields than BG‐1, both in monocropping and in intercropping. However, dry‐matter yield of forage legumes was higher under BG‐1. The yield advantage in terms of land equivalent ratio was higher in BG‐1 (1.69) than BG‐2 (1.60). BG‐1 was more dominant than BG‐2 in intercropping. Soil properties such as dehydrogenase activity, microbial biomass carbon and available N were improved under grass–legume intercropping compared with grass alone. Higher crude protein and N uptake were also observed in BG‐2. Net returns of grass–legumes intercropping were 30%–40% higher compared with monocropping of guinea grass. Among N management options, higher growth, crude protein content and forage yield were achieved with application of 40 kg N/ha after each cut of guinea grass in double split. Therefore, guinea grass + cowpea–Egyptian clover intercropping with 40 kg N/ha after each grass cut in double split can be suggested for higher forage productivity, profitability and soil properties.

Effect of Fertilizer Levels on Fodder Productivity and Quality of Multi-cut Sorghum Genotypes

“…The increase in crude protein yield and total digestible nutrient in 'CoFS-29' was mainly owing to production of higher biomass in this genotype. Choudhary et al (2018) Successive increase in fertilizer levels significantly improved crude protein, crude fibre, mineral ash and ether extract content while nitrogen free extract and total digestible nutrient decreased with fertilizer rate. The improvement in crude protein content with increasing fertilizer levels may be the results of enhancement in amino acid formation.…”

Intercropping of orchardgrass and alfalfa improves soil fertility, forage yield, feeding values and land use efficiency while limiting ruminal greenhouse gas emissions

“…In the current study, intercropping orchardgrass with alfalfa produced greater DM yields compared with monocultures, which was consistent with previous studies (Hassen et al, 2017; Xiao et al, 2018). This intercropping orchardgrass with alfalfa at appropriate ratios had complementary effects and far‐reaching benefits in terms of light, water, and nutrient use efficiency (Choudhary et al, 2018; Mason et al, 2020). Intercropping grass with legumes may not only cause above ground interactions but also soil organism interactions, especially which play an important role in soil nutrient cycling and the forage production (Duchene et al, 2017; Menezes et al, 2016).…”

“…However, few studies have assessed the effects of intercropping on forage feeding values and ruminal digestion characteristics. The benefits of intercropping are mainly dependent on how the type of forage species are well‐adapted, proper seeding rate, and the amount of fertilizer (Choudhary et al, 2018; Sayar et al, 2014).…”

Inclusion of Egyptian clover improves the value of sorghum-based cropping systems

“…Such results corroborate with the findings of other researchers where inclusion of forage legumes in cereal/grass-based cropping systems improved the yield of component crops and soil fertility through supplementation of nitrogen through biological N fixation (Rasmussen et al . 2012; Choudhary et al . 2018; Ghosh et al .…”