Evaluation of the Ecophysiological Aspects and Forage Quality Indices in the Intercropping of Maize (Zea mays L.) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors

• Mehdi Sharifi Nejad
• Ahmad Ghanbari
• Alireza Sirous Mehr

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Zabol University, Zabol, Iran

10.22067/jag.v10i1.60479

Abstract

Introduction
Intercropping is a crop management system involving two or more crop species grown together for at least portion of their respective productive cycle and planted sufficiently close to each other so that inter specific competitions occurs. The reason of yield advantage of intercropping are mainly that environmental resources such as water, light and nutrients can be utilized more efficiently in intercropping than in the respective sole cropping systems. Intercropping system is one the efficient crop production managements with minimum adverse effects on the environment, using the principles of ecological agriculture.
Materials and Methods
In order to study the ecophysiological aspects and forage quality intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), an experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the Research Farm, University of Zabol in 2015. The experimental treatments were: sole cropping of maize, 100% maize + 15% cowpea, 100% maize + 30% cowpea, 100% maize + 45% cowpea, 100% maize + 60% cowpea and sole cropping of cowpea. Each plot consisted of five rows planting, with a distance of 60 cm length was formed five meters. Maize and cowpea seeds were simultaneously sown. Photosynthesis active radiation (PAR) was measured between 12-13 hours on occasions. Mean values for each plot were then used to calculate the percentage of PAR interception by plant canopy as follows:
%PARi = [1- (PARb / PARa)] × 100
Where the subscript i designates intercepted PAR, a and b subscripts designate PAR above and below the plant canopy, respectively. Corn in the dough stage of grain and cowpea were at physiological maturity stage, harvest was carried out simultaneously. Samples dried at 70°C for 48 h and weighed.
The crude protein content was calculated by multiplying the Kjeldahl nitrogen concentration by 6.25. ADF (acid detergent fiber) and NDF (neutral detergent fiber) concentrations were measured. Digestible dry matter (DDM) were estimated .DDM = 88.9-(0.779 x ADF % dry matter basis)
Intercropping advantage and competition between maize and cowpea in intercrops were calculated LER was used to quantify the efficiency of the intercropping treatments: LER = Ymm/ Ybb + Ymb/ Ycc where Ymm and Ycc are yields of pure stands of maize and cowpea, Ymc and Ycm are yields of maize and cowpea in the intercropping system, respectively (Willey, 1979). Statistical computations using SAS software and comparison of means were tested by LSD at P

Keywords

• Cropping systems
• Crude protein
• Dry matter production
• Soil temperature
• Sources growth

20.1001.1.20087713.1397.10.1.19.7

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