Maize forage is poor in protein content which leads to low quality and nutritive value. Regarding the high feed costs of protein supplementations, legumes can be used in livestock nutrition for their high protein content, and thus, provide cost savings. In this study, maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) were intercropped in different sowing densities and fertilization with clinoptilolite and their monocropping equivalents were tested to determine the best intercropping system on forage yield and quality. Maize was cultivated alone (75,000 plants•ha-1) and intercropped with cowpea as follows: 75,000 plants•ha-1 of maize and 37,500 plants•ha-1 of cowpea (MC 1), 75,000 plants•ha-1 of maize and 50,000 plants•ha-1 of cowpea (MC 2) and 75,000 plants•ha-1 of maize and 75,000 plants•ha-1 of cowpea (MC 3), in rows alternating with maize. The highest dry matter yield was produced by MC 3 (23.8 t•ha-1), and the lowest by SM (20.7 t•ha-1) in fertilization with clinoptilolite. All intercropped systems had higher crude protein contents, MC 1 (101 g•kg-1 DM), MC 2 (108 g•kg-1 DM) and MC 3 (117 g•kg-1 DM), than the monocrop maize (84 g•kg-1 DM) in fertilization with clinoptilolite. Intercropping of maize with cowpea and fertilization with clinoptilolite reduced neutral detergent fiber, resulting in increased forage digestibility. Therefore, maize intercropping with cowpea and fertilization with clinoptilolite could substantially increase forage quantity and quality, and decrease requirements for protein supplements as compared with maize monocrop.

Managing alfalfa silage in livestock production systems is an important issue in order to maintain the silage quality and achieve maximum profitable production of milk and meat. The aim of this study was to estimate effects of commercial bacterial inoculants on chemical composition and fermentation of alfalfa silage, under field conditions in the commercial dairy farm, during 2017. The silage mass was subdivided into five equal parts (control-silage without inoculant) and silages treated with commercial bacterial inoculants (PIO 1-Pioneer 11H50, PIO2-Pioneer 11AFT, SIL-Silko and BON-Bonsilage alfa) all ensiled in microsilos. After 90 days of ensiling, silages were analysed for chemical and nutritional composition and fermentation characteristics. Dry matter and crude protein value were higher, lactic acid and acetic acid value were significantly higher in silage treated with bacterial inoculant PIO1, PIO2, SIL and BON compared to control silage. Contrary, alfalfa silage treated with a bacterial inoculant PIO1, PIO2, SIL and BON had lower values of acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and pH and significantly lower values butyric acid, alcohols and NH 3-N/total nitrogen compared to control silage. Results showed that bacterial inoculant PIO1, PIO2, SIL and BON increases silage quality compared to control silage.

Maize forage is poor in protein content which shows its low quality and nutritive value. Regarding to high feed costs of protein supplementations, legumes can be used in livestock nutrition for their high protein content and, thus, providing cost savings. Since legumes have low dry matter yield, acceptable forage yield and quality can obtained from intercropping cereals and legumes compared with their sole crops. In this study, maize (Zea mays L.) and climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were intercropped in different sowing densities and their monocropping equivalents were tested to determine the best intercropping system on forage yield and quality. Maize was cultivated alone (75 000 plants ha-1) and intercropped with bean as follows: 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 37 500 plants ha-1 of bean (MB1), 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 50 000 plants ha-1 of bean (MB2) and 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 75 000 plants ha-1 of bean (MB3), in rows alternating with maize. The highest dry matter yield was produced by MB3 (20.9 t ha-1), and the lowest by maize (16.9 t ha-1). All intercropped systems had higher crude protein contents, MB1 (92 g kg-1 DM), MB2 (99 g kg-1 DM) and MB3 (110 g kg-1 DM), than the maize (77 g kg-1 DM). Intercropping of maize with bean reduced neutral and acid detergent fiber, resulting in increased forage digestibility. Therefore, maize intercropping with bean could substantially increase forage quantity and quality, and decrease requirements for protein supplements as compared with maize.

Multiyear production of Italian ryegrass seed crop is of interest. The impact of management systems on the second-production year of biannual crop was evaluated at various nitrogen fertilization (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg ha−1). Management systems of single-purpose crops were with (SeedPGR-crop) and without (Seed-crop) plant growth regulator (PGR) application. The dual-purpose crops incorporated early (EF-seed-crop) and late (LF-seed-crop) spring forage cut followed by seed harvest. The Seed-crop obtained a maximum yield (1631 kg ha−1) at 120 kg N ha−1, which decreased by 23% at the highest fertilization. This yield loss was associated with early (before heading) and severe lodging that brought about reduced aboveground biomass and lower harvest index due to the increased growth of vegetative tillers. The single-purpose crops had a similar number of reproductive tillers, seed weight, and seed shed; however, the SeedPGR-crops produced larger yields than the Seed-crops at all fertilization levels indicating the positive impact of PGR application on harvest index regardless of lodging intensity. Despite less lodging and lower seed shattering, the dual-purpose crops yielded less than the single-purpose crops primarily due to the reduction in the number of spikelets per ear and florets per spikelet in various ear sections of early- and late-formed ears. Seed yields of the dual-purpose crops were maximized (around 1200 kg ha−1) at 180 kg N ha−1. The LF-seed-crop had the lightest seeds and the smallest seed germination, but fertilization tended to improve these quality traits. The SeedPGR-crop was the best performing management system yielding above 2200 kg ha−1 at the two highest N levels, allowing greater flexibility in fertilization.

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