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

Abstract

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.

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

“…In recent years, however, increased frequency of drought and shortage of water for irrigation has forced forage growers to seek alternative crops to cope with dry conditions (Jahanzad et al ., ; Zandvakili et al ., ). Pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum L.) is one alternative species that has high forage quality and considerable resilience to water shortage, making it an ideal forage crop for regions where precipitation is erratic and with a likelihood of water stress (BOSTID, ; Jahanzad et al ., ). Pearl millet is also well adapted to low fertility soils and has potential to produce acceptable quantities of biomass in conditions where sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L.) or maize may fail (BOSTID, ).…”

Effects of pearl millet silage ammoniation with urea on carcass and meat quality of lambs

“…Pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum L.) is one of the alternative species with high forage quality and considerable resistance to water scarcity, which makes it the ideal forage for regions with rainfall fluctuations and probability of water stress (Bostid, ; Jahanzad et al., ). As stated by Bostid (Board on Science and Technology for International Development) (), this forage species is well‐adapted to low‐fertility soils and has the potential to produce acceptable amounts of biomass in conditions under which sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L .)…”

Intercropping of orchardgrass and alfalfa improves soil fertility, forage yield, feeding values and land use efficiency while limiting ruminal greenhouse gas emissions

“…Nitrogen is the main unit of amino acids primarily used as building blocks for protein synthesis in plants (Al‐Hadeethi et al, 2019), which could explain why increasing N fertilizer levels increased the total crude protein yield of forages. Nitrogen fertilization indirectly affects the nutrient digestibility of intercrops through changes in the ratio of grasses to legumes, different nutrient accumulation, and delays or advances in phenological stage of grasses and legumes (Jahanzad et al, 2015; Vandermeer, 1992). Nitrogen fertilization increased the yield of ruminal degraded DM in the present study, which was explained by the increased DM yield and digestible nutrients.…”