Forage yield and nutritive value of maize-legume mixtures

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of intercropping maize with legumes for improving forage yield and nutritive value in Yozgat conditions located in Inner Anatolia, Turkey in 2013 and 2014 growing season. Maize intercropped with three legumes; Yemsoy and Yesilsoy variety of soybean and Ulkem variety of Cowpea at three different seed rates. The percentage of maize and legumes in mixtures was 100:100, 100:50, and 50:100 respectively. Experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Mixture plots were harvested when maize was at dough stage, and alone legumes were at the end of seed filling. Intercropping treatments and seed rates significantly affected yield and nutritive value of forage and also morphological traits of crops. The lowest hay yield was determined in alone legumes in 2013, 2014 and combined year. Maize intercropping with Yemsoy at 50:100 seed rate produced the highest hay yield in separate and combined years (19.78, 21.54 and 20.66 t ha-1, respectively). Alone cowpea had the highest protein content in 2013 (19.66%), 2014 (17.57%) and combined years (18.61%). Crude protein content in maize sown alone was minimum. However, it showed a superior protein yield compared to the pure legumes. The highest protein yield (2.33 t ha-1) was observed in maize intercropped with Yemsoy at 50:100 seed rate. Present study indicated that intercropping maize with soybean at the seed rate of 50:100 was the most suitable choice with respect to hay and protein yields. However, it produced low mineral contents.