Silage Yield and Nutritive Value of Millet–Soybean Intercrops as Influenced by Nitrogen Application

Jahanzad, Emad; Sadeghpour, Amir; Hosseini, Masoud; Barker, Allen V.; Hashemi, Masoud; Zandvakili, Omid Reza

doi:10.2134/agronj13.0542

Cited by 30 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…While some research has indicated that increased amounts of chemical fertilizers may suppress soybean yields (Hiebsch & McCollum, 1987), in the present study, the positive response of corn to NPK (Jahanzad et al, 2014) compensated for the probable yield suppression of soybean, which ultimately resulted in the greatest forage DM yield in the 100% NPK and 50% CM+50% NPK treatments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 49%

Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the yield and quality of silage corn intercropped with soybean

Baghdadi

Halim

Ghasemzadeh

et al. 2018

PeerJ

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BackgroundCorn silage is an important feed for intense ruminant production, but the growth of corn relies heavily on the use of chemical fertilizers. Sustainable crop production requires careful management of all nutrient sources available on a farm, particularly in corn-based cropping systems.MethodsExperiments were conducted to determine the appropriate technique of corn-legume intercropping in conjunction with the supplemental use of chemical fertilizers, organic manure, and biofertilizers (BFs). Acetylene reduction assays (ARAs) were also performed on corn and soybean roots.ResultsCombining chemical fertilizers with chicken manure (CM) in a 50:50 ratio and applying 50% NPK+50% CM+BF produced fresh forage and dry matter (DM) yields that were similar to those produced in the 100% nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) treatment. Among the lone fertilizer treatments, the inorganic fertilizer (100% NPK) treatment produced the highest DM yield (13.86 t/ha) of forage and outyielded the 100% CM (9.74 t/ha) treatment. However, when CM was combined with NPK, the resulting DM yield of forage (13.86 t/ha) was the same as that resulting from 100% NPK (13.68 t/ha). Compared with CM applications alone, combinations of NPK and CM applications resulted in increased plant height, crop growth rates (CGRs) and leaf area index (LAI), but the values of these parameters were similar to those resulting from 100% NPK application. Fertilizers in which the ratio was 50% CM+50% NPK or 50% CM+50% NPK+BF resulted in protein yields that were similar to those resulting from conventional fertilizers. Similarly, the CP content did not significantly differ between applications of the 100% NPK and 50% CM+50% NPK fertilizers. The use of BFs had no significant impact on improving either the yield or quality of forage fertilized with inorganic or organic fertilizer. Lactic acid responded differently to different fertilizer applications and was significantly higher in the fertilized plots than in the unfertilized plots. Compared with treatments of lone chemical and lone organic manure fertilizers, treatments involving applications of BF and a combination of BF and NPK or CM resulted in higher ARA values.DiscussionThere is no simple and easy approach to increase biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in grain legumes grown as part of a cropping system under realistic farm field conditions. Overall, evidence recorded from this study proves that, compared with corn monocrops combined with CM and chemical fertilizers, corn-soybean intercrops could increase forage yields and quality, produce higher total protein yields, and reduce the need for protein supplements and chemical fertilizers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 49%

Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the yield and quality of silage corn intercropped with soybean

Baghdadi

Halim

Ghasemzadeh

et al. 2018

PeerJ

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“…The intercrops of millet–soya bean tended to have higher lactic acid compared with millet monoculture. As legumes have higher BC than grasses, the millet–soya bean mixtures are likely to require more acid to reach the same pH, compared with millet monocultures (McDonald et al ., ; Jahanzad et al ., ). The pH of millet–soya bean forage stabilized at a lower level when millet made up a greater proportion of the mixture.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Silage fermentation profile, chemical composition and economic evaluation of millet and soya bean grown in monocultures and as intercrops

Jahanzad

Sadeghpour

Hashemi

et al. 2015

Grass and Forage Science

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In recent years, dairy farmers in semi-arid regions have shifted from maize (Zea mays L.) as their primary source of feed to drought-tolerant crops, such as millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), due to lack of water for irrigation. However, millet alone may not provide feed of sufficient quality and crude protein content for dairy cows. A field experiment was conducted in 2 years to evaluate (i) whether intercropping millet with a relatively drought-tolerant soya bean cultivar (Glycine max Merr, cv. Williams) could improve silage quality with minimum yield penalty, and (ii) if the application of molasses could further enhance the nutritive value of silage of millet-soya bean intercrops. There were three intercropping ratios (60% millet with 40% soya bean, 50% millet with 50% soya bean, 40% millet with 60% soya bean) and monocultures of millet and soya bean. Mixed forages were treated with three levels of molasses: M 0 (without molasses), M 1 , and M 2 (2Á5 and 5% fresh matter respectively). Inclusion of soya bean in millet crops resulted in decreased silage yield compared with millet alone. The highest yield was obtained from the ratio of 60% millet with 40% soya bean. Molassestreated silage had higher lactic acid, lower pH, and lower acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). Silage produced from millet-soya bean intercrops exhibited enhanced fermentation, indicated by lower pH (3Á64) and higher lactic acid (16Á63 g kg À1 DM) than silage from monocultures. Intercropping ratios had lower water-soluble carbohydrate, ADF and NDF than millet monoculture. Overall, an intercropping ratio of 60% millet with 40% soya bean was advantageous over other ratios in terms of higher yield, nutritive value and economic value.

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“…Millet sole crop produced 15% lower protein yield compared with 60:40 millet-soybean at the same N level (Table 1). Elevated levels of CP by increased N fertilization in cereal-legume intercropping systems have been reported by other researchers (Mariotti et al, 2011;Zandvakili et al, 2012;Jahanzad et al, 2014). These results suggest that relying on soybean alone as an on-farm source of protein is not sufficient to satisfy farmer needs and that appropriate intercropping ratios can produce more CP compared with millet monoculture.…”

Section: Forage Dry Matter and Protein Yieldmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…The highest LER value was recorded from 60:40 millet-soybean at N 74 , which showed 17% higher LER compared with millet sole crop at the same fertility level (Table 2). While some studies have reported that intercropping of two or more crops may not necessarily lead to forage biomass yield improvement, higher LER in intercropping ratios has been reported in other studies (Lithourgidis and Dordas, 2010;Mariotti et al, 2011;Jahanzad et al, 2014), indicating the benefits that could be gained from intercropping cereals and legumes. An increased LER value with increasing N rates has also been reported by Zandvakili et al (2013) in sorghum-lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) intercropping.…”

Section: Competition Indices and Economic Benefitmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…In particular, millet higher N yield in milletdominated ratios (Table 1) and the presence of soybean resulted in the highest CP content. Acid detergent fiber (cellulose and lignin) and NDF (hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignin) are two important characteristics of forage quality; high-quality forages have low concentrations of NDF and ADF (Paterson et al, 1994;Jahanzad et al, 2014). Generally, lower ADF and NDF concentration results in higher DMI and digestibility (Sadeghpour et al, 2014a).…”

Section: Forage Quality Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Competition, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Productivity of Millet–Soybean Intercropping in Semiarid Conditions

et al. 2015

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Increased frequency of drought and shortage of irrigation water has challenged forage production in arid and semiarid regions. Farmers have shifted from corn (Zea mays L.), as their primary source of forage, to more drought‐tolerant species such as millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.); however, protein content of millet may be too low to meet the needs of high‐producing animals. A 2‐yr field experiment was conducted to determine if mixtures of millet with soybean (Glycine max L.) could produce acceptable forage and protein yield and at the same time maintain farmers' profit level. Main plots consisted of nitrogen (N) rates of 0, 37, and 74 kg N ha−1, and subplots were assigned to intercropping ratios (50:50, 60:40, and 40:60 millet–soybean) along with sole crops. Nitrogen application increased total dry matter yield, and millet sole crop had the highest yield (13.6 t ha−1) followed by 60:40 millet–soybean (13.1 t ha−1). The land equivalent ratio (LER) was highest (1.17) in 60:40 millet–soybean intercrops, indicating 17% more efficient use of land than sole crops. On the basis of the results from LER, relative crowding coefficient, and monetary advantage index, 60:40 millet–soybean was superior to the other intercropping ratios and sole crops. Also, the highest protein yield (2.49 t ha−1) was obtained from 60:40 millet–soybean intercrops. Considering both yield and nitrogen use efficiency, 60:40 millet–soybean intercropping ratio, fertilized at 74 kg N ha−1, was advantageous and could be recommended as an alternative to millet sole crop to produce forage of high quality with no significant yield loss.

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Silage Yield and Nutritive Value of Millet–Soybean Intercrops as Influenced by Nitrogen Application

Cited by 30 publications

References 32 publications

Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the yield and quality of silage corn intercropped with soybean

Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the yield and quality of silage corn intercropped with soybean

Silage fermentation profile, chemical composition and economic evaluation of millet and soya bean grown in monocultures and as intercrops

Competition, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Productivity of Millet–Soybean Intercropping in Semiarid Conditions

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