Effect Of Different Planting Pattern Of Maize(Zea Mays L.) And Soybean (Glycine Max(L.) Merrill) Intercropping In Resource Consumption On Fodder Yield And Silage Quality

Intercropping plays a vital role in agriculture because of the effective utilization of resources,significantly enhancing crop productivity compared with that of sole crops.Intercropping of maize with legumes for silage is a feasible approach to increase Crude Protein(CP)level.Proper spatial arrangements,planting rates and the maturity dates of components in maize-grain legume intercropping increase biodiversity and have many profitable over pure maize cropping.It provides an efficient utilization of environmental resources such as PAR,soil moisture and temperature,reduces risk to the cost of production,gives greater financial stability for farmers,decreases pest damages,suppresses weeds growth more than monocultures,improves soil fertility through nitrogen increasing to the system and develops forage yield and quality.The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of different patterns of maize-soybean intercropping in resource consumption on grain yield,fodder yield and silage quality.Material and Methods: A study was conducted to examine the effects of different planting structure of maize(Zea mays L.)and soybean(Glycine max L.)intercropping on grain yield,fodder production and silage quality.Maize was cultivated alone and intercropped with soybean as follows;1 row maize to 1 row soybean(1M1S),1 row maize to 2 rows soybean(1M2S)and 1 row maize to 3 rows soybean(1M3S)and 2 rows maize to 1 row soybean(2M1S).The experiment was laid out a split plot design in randomized complete block design with five treatments and three replications,and plot size of 12 m by 5 m.Photosynthetically active radiation(PAR)was measured two times during the crops growing season(30 and 60 days after sowing)between 12-14 hours on occasions.A Sun fleck ceptometer was used to measure above the plant canopy and the soil surface at 5 randomly selected locations within each plot.The soil water balance was predicted to be influenced by different cropping systems.Soil water content at 0-0.25 m depth was determined on two occasions(30 and 60 days after sowing)during the growing season.Soil samples were taken from three locations within each plot and a well mixed sample was tested for soil moisture content by gravimetric measurement.Soil temperature was also recorded at a depth of 0-10 cm below the surface on two occasions in all plots,using a soil thermometer.The crops were harvested when the maize reached at milk stage(R3)and maturity stage(R6).After 60 days of ensiling period,silage samples were analysed for pH,organic acids(Lactic,acetic,and butyric),dry matter(DM),crude protein(CP),ether extract(EE),neutral detergent fibre(NDF),acid detergent fibre(ADF),water soluble carbohydrate(WSC),Calcium(Ca),sodium(Na),phosphorus(P),magnesium(Mg),and potassium(K).Results and Discussion: The results showed that significant increase in fresh biomass and dry matter production of maize fodder alone as compared to maize intercropped with soybean fodder.It was correlated with a higher consumption of environmental resources,such as photosynthetically active radiation(PAR)and soil moisture,by intercropping.This result showed solar radiation which would be otherwise wasted due to poor growth of maize early in the season,and soybean leaf senescence at the end of the season can be utilized more efficiently by maize-soybean intercropping.The percentage of PAR interception was significantly affected by cropping system.The soil temperature and the moisture content of soil were also significantly influenced by cropping system.However,no difference(p>0.05)was observed in ether extract(EE),ash(%)and acid detergent fibre(ADF)of nutrient composition of fodder among the five treatments.All intercropped silages had higher CP values(1M1S,12.1%;1M2S,12.2%;1M3S,12.4%;2M1S,12.1%)than the monocrop maize(SM,8.7%)silage.The NDF and ADF levels were higher for maize silage as compared to intercropped silages.Higher organic acids(P<0.05)were produced in the 1M3 S silages as compared to others silages.Therefore,for high yield of fresh fodder and DM yields,SM silage is strongly recommended on huge levels.Finally,among all intercropped silages the 1M3S(1 row maize to 3 rows soybean)was more suitable according to nutrient composition and nutritive values in silage.Conclusion: The conclusion of present study is demonstrated that intercropping of maize with soybean at various planting structure show to be an effective way to increase grain yield,fresh fodder yield and to enhancing nutrient quality of silage ensuring the supply of nutritionally rich silage for livestock feeding.Finally,it can be concluded that environmental resource consumption,especially PAR interception in intercropping system was better than sole crop.The results of this experiment could provide some quantitative evidence for the hypothesis that greater environmental resources consumption(such as PAR and soil moisture)by intercrops is a primary cause of yield advantages.After concluding results it’s showed that Intercropping of maize with soybean increased CP,and decreased NDF and ADF concentrations in silages.The results of our study will not only support better understanding of intercropping planting pattern of maize-soybean,but also improve the nutritional composition of silage.