Effect of Intercropped Tropical Perennial Grasses on the Production of Sorghum‐Based Silage

• DOI: 10.2134/agronj2016.07.0385
• Publication Date: 2016-10-17T20:16:22Z
• Authors: Nídia Raquel Costa; Marcelo Andreotti; Carlos Alexandre ...; Cristiano Magalhã...; Keny Samejima Mas...; Kazuo Leonardo de...; João Paulo Ferreira; César Gustavo da ...; Daniel Martins de...
• Keywords: Intercropping; Silage

Sorghum [ bicolor (L.) Moench] intercropped with tropical grasses can be used in silage production systems to increase the dry matter yield per area, provide pasture after sorghum harvesting and improve land‐use efficiency (LUE). Our objective was compare quality of palisade grass Urochloa brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf ‘Marandu’] or guinea Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs ‘Tanzânia’] that monocropped sorghum, off‐season, as well land equivalent ratios these during two growing seasons (2010–2011 2011–2012). The experiment designed a randomized complete block four replicates. treatments were: silage, grass. productivity high sorghum. development not affected by intercropping grasses. Intercropping generally increases fiber content compared sorghum; however, this is viable option for producing feed adequate nutritional quality. improved ratio, resulting greater LUE. also relative N did influence aggressivity crowding coefficient. main benefit established grazing which considered good cultivation strategy regions. Core Ideas crops no‐till system diversification agricultural production. better uses areas throughout year. crops. One benefits off‐season.