Intercropping Maize and Faba Bean for Silage Under Swedish Climate Conditions

Abstract

Cultivation of forage maize is increasing in Sweden. Sole maize is low in protein and supplementation of protein feed is needed. This study investigated whether forage maize and legumes can be intercropped in a system suitable for farmers (simultaneous sowing and harvest) under Swedish climate conditions, and whether intercropping maize and faba bean improves the forage quality compared with sole maize. Two field experiments were performed in which maize intercropped with faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in alternate rows with 0 or 60 kg N/ha was compared with sole maize crop with 120 kg N/ha. Maize dry matter (DM) yield decreased by intercropping (from mean 14,171 kg DM/ha for sole maize to 8,888-10,791 kg DM/ha for intercropped maize). Mean yield of faba bean ranged from 2,907 to 2,966 kg DM/ha. Compared with sole maize, intercropped treatments slightly increased forage protein content (mean increase 10-15 g/kg DM). Furthermore, intercropping increased forage in vitro organic matter digestibility by 4 % units (from 80.8 to 84.7 %), while the starch concentration slightly decreased from 316 to 236-254 g/kg DM. Intercropping increased neutral detergent fibre concentration from 435 to 478-497 g/kg DM and the sugar concentration from 57.3 to 61.5-72.3 g/kg DM. The results showed that intercropping silage maize and faba beans is possible under Swedish climate conditions.

Silage Yield and Nutritive Value of Millet–Soybean Intercrops as Influenced by Nitrogen Application

“…Higher concentration of volatile fatty acids at 40% M:60% S intercropping ratio and soybean monoculture in this study could be explained by higher pH (Table 3) and lower WSC content (Table 4). These results were in contrast to those reported by Stoltz et al (2013) who found a higher concentration of butyric acid in corn monoculture compared with corn–faba bean ( Vicia faba L.).…”

Reduced nitrogen leaching by intercropping maize with red fescue on sandy soils in North Europe: a combined field and modeling study

“…Intercrops compete with each other for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and it is not always easy to control the competitive interactions between the two crops due to their different rooting ability, canopy structure and nutrient requirements. Studies of intercropping maize in North Europe are scanty (Stoltz and Nadeau 2014;Stoltz et al 2013). Under similar climatic conditions, reported effects of intercropping cereals with catch crop on cereal yields are both positive (Hauggaard-Nielsen et al 2001) and neutral/negative (Kankanen and Eriksson 2007;Thorsted et al 2006).…”

Mısır ve Bazı Baklagillerin Birlikte Üretimi ile Silaj Yem Kalitesini Artırma Olanakları

“…Maize crop can produce high yield in a TÜRK TARIM ve DOĞA BİLİMLERİ DERGİSİ TURKISH JOURNAL of AGRICULTURAL and NATURAL SCIENCES single cut (Serbester et al, 2015) and is easy to ensile due to its water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content. It also has high energy value as ruminant feed (Stoltz et al, 2013;Geren et al, 2008). However, the most important handicap of maize is definitely its low crude protein (CP) content that is around 6-7% of its dry matter (DM) base.…”

“…So not decreasing maize plant density in intercrop may be a good way in order to keep high silage yield produced. The fact remains that; there have been many studies that individual crop of any intercrop systems were sown or harvested at different time points (Stoltz et al, 2013). However, this is not applicable for practice for silage production system.…”