Effect of intercropping vetch (Vicia sativa L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and triticale (X Triticosecale) on dry‐matter yield, nutritive and ensiling characteristics when harvested at two growth stages

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of growth stage and legume proportion on the nutritive and ensiling characteristics of triticale–pea–vetch intercrop mixtures. The three‐species mixtures were sown at three seeding ratios to produce different legume proportions (low, medium and high proportions) and harvested at two growth stages. The six resulting forages were subsequently ensiled in mini‐silos. Forage dry‐matter (DM) yield, nutritive characteristics of fresh and ensiled mixtures and fermentation characteristics of silages were determined. Forage DM yield almost tripled between early‐stage harvest and late‐stage harvest. Nutritive characteristics of fresh and ensiled mixtures were affected by both growth stage and legume proportion: crude protein concentration and pepsin–cellulase digestibility decreased whereas NDF and ADF concentrations increased as growth stage advanced. Crude protein concentration and pepsin–cellulase digestibility were higher for the high‐legume treatment at both growth stages. All mixtures ensiled well, as indicated by low pH and high lactic and acetic acids contents. However, all silages had high soluble nitrogen and ammonia concentrations. This study showed that triticale–pea–vetch silages hold good potential net energy supply value for ruminants, especially at early‐stage growth and when legume proportion increases. However, protein value has to be improved by reducing protein breakdown during ensiling.

Source-to-Sink Translocation of Carbon and Nitrogen Is Regulated by Fertilization and Plant Population in Maize-Pea Intercropping

“…Numerous studies have shown that intercropping has substantial advantages in crop yield and many other benefits than monoculture cropping; this has been reported worldwide, including those in northwest China (Mu et al, 2013; Chen et al, 2014a; Hu et al, 2016), India (Nelson et al, 2018), France (Maxin et al, 2017; Kaci et al, 2018), Germany (Gronle et al, 2014; Munz et al, 2014), and the North America (Franco et al, 2018; Simpson et al, 2018). However, the published studies have rarely determined the processes of C and N accumulation in vegetative tissues and the remobilization capacity of the photosynthate to the grain sinks under intercropping systems.…”

Agronomic, forage quality and economic advantages of red pea (Lathyrus cicera L.) intercropping with wheat and oat under low‐input farming

“…The increase in CP yield due to legume contribution in the red pea:cereal intercrops is one of the main advantages for including red pea in an intercropping system. Similarly, Maxin, Andueza, Le Morvan, and Baumont () found that the increase in proportion of legumes enhanced the nutritive quality of the cereal:legume intercrops; however, they also suggested that the choice of harvest timing will depend on the intended use. Thus, when farmers are aiming for better nutritive value of forage, they must harvest at early‐growth stage but when their interest is for a greater quantity of forage, they have to harvest at the dough‐milky stage of the cereal.…”

Forage Yield and Protein Content of Different Field Pea Cultivars and Oat Mixtures Grown as Winter Crops

“…Different seed rates do not affect crude protein content. Average crude protein content for field pea and triticale mixtures, at the dough-milky stage of development of the cereal, is 163 g kg -1 (Maxin et al, 2016). In another research average crude protein content of field pea:oat mixture (75:25%), at the dough-milky stage of development of oat is 12.96% (Uzun and Asik, 2012).…”