Comparative yield and nutritive value of forages from two cereal-legume based cropping systems. 1. Crop yields and the nutritive value of forages. (409)

Authors

  • S. Crosse International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • N.N. Umunna International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • P.O. Osuji International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • H. Khalili Agricultural Research Centre, Institute of Animal Production, 31600 Jokioinen, Finland
  • A. Tegegne International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • A. Tedla International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Keywords:

Cropping systems, Grain yield, Forage yield, Nutritive quality, Dry matter degradability

Abstract

The effects of two cropping systems (1 and 2) on grain and fodder yields and nutritive quality of the fodder were studied in a randomized complete block design experiment over a period of two cropping years. Crops and crop combinations in system 1 were oat-vetch, wheat-trifolium, teff straw, and cowpea. System 2 was similar to system 1 except that maize-lablab replaced wheat-trifolium. Neither grain yields nor yields of straws or hays were affected by intercropping. Grain and straw yields were about 25% higher than yields reported for smallholder systems. Using the standard measures of quality such as crude protein, neutral-detergent fibre, and aciddetergent lignin, the presence of legumes in crop mixtures improved forage quality resulting in higher degradation characteristics than would be expected from cereals alone.

Downloads

Issue

Volume 75 Number 4

Section

Research Papers