Intercropping of corn, brachiaria grass and leguminous plants: productivity, quality and composition of silages

Abstract

-The present study was carried out with the objective to evaluate the productive and qualitative characteristics of forages produced in systems of intercropping of corn, brachiaria grass and different leguminous plants. Productivity, bromatological composition and the fermentative profile of the silages from the following treatments were evaluated: corn in exclusive cultivation (CEC); intercropping of corn with brachiaria grass (CB); intercropping of corn, brachiaria grass and Calopogonium mucunoides (CBCal); intercropping of corn, brachiaria grass and Macrotyloma axillare (CBMac); and intercropping of corn, brachiaria grass and Stylozanthes capitata (CBSty). The experimental design utilized was completely randomized. For each type of cultivation, five plots or replications of three linear meters were harvested, and the material was separated. The variables assessed were: dry matter productivity per area; dry matter productivity of corn per area; crude protein production per area and productivity of total digestible nutrients per area. The material originated from the cultures was ensiled, with dry matter between 28 and 32%. After, the material was placed and compacted appropriately in bucket silos. A sample was collected from each replication for determination of the contents of DM, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), lignin, neutral and acid detergent fibers (NDF and ADF) and TDN. A fraction of the sample of silages from each treatment was compressed for extraction of the juice and determination of the silage quality. There was difference between the forms of cultivation for the dry matter production per hectare. The CEC with production of 11920.1 kg DM/ha did not differ from CB (8997.41 kg DM/ha) or CBCal (10452.10 kg DM/ha); however, it was superior to CBMac (8429.75 kg DM/ha) and to CBSty (8164.83 kg DM/ha). The contents of DM, CP, NDF, ADF, lignin and TDN did not differ between the silages from the different treatments. All the silages presented good quality with good fermentation patterns.

Effects of Different Planting Pattern of Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) and Soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> (L.) Merrill) Intercropping in Resource Consumption on Fodder Yield, and Silage Quality

“…The values are close to and sometimes within the parameters considered ideal for a silage of quality. Costa et al [6] found values of 7.0% to 11.8% lactic acid in the DM of the maize silage. Anil et al [41] evaluated maize silages with the addition of 30, 40 and 50% of soybean, and reported lactic acid values of 4.8; 5.0; and 5.1% in the DM, respectively.…”

“…The DM level was related to the fermentation conditions of the material [6]. DM yield characteristic is a very reliable parameter in agronomical studies [35].…”

“…The presence of legume crops in the ensiled mass affected NDF and ADF levels in the present study. There is usually lower concentration of fibres in the DM of legumes in relation to grasses [6]. In addition, NDF level is associated to the maturity stage of the forage sources, because of levels of cell wall components, mainly the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin [42].…”

“…In addition, NDF level is associated to the maturity stage of the forage sources, because of levels of cell wall components, mainly the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin [42]. However, such an effect had not been observed in other experiments as no effect of intercropping was found on the NDF and ADF levels [6]. When compared to SM, the maize intercropped silages increased pH, and CP contents (P < 0.05), whereas decreased NDF, ADF, and ash (P < 0.05) contents.…”

“…As a cultivation system, intercropping involves the planting of two or more crop species on the same field [5] [6]. Intercropping maize with legumes for silage is a feasible strategy to improve crude protein level (CP) [7] [8] [9].…”