Interseeding of Sorghum Sudan (Sorghum sudanense) and Pearl Millet (Pennisetum americanum) in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)
Traditionally, increased crop productivity has been achieved through breeding and management practices. However, if one considers the production per unit of area and time, crop associations can be another way to improve productivity. This trial was conducted in Cordoba, Argentina, in a typical Hapludol soil. On an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pasture established in March 2009, two treatments were imposed in November 2010: 1) pure alfalfa and 2) interseeding of pearl millet (Penisetum americanum) and sorghum sudan (Sorghum sudanense), the latter two forages also being planted in pure stand. A randomized block design with two replications was used. Treatments compared were pure alfalfa, alfalfa-sorghum association, alfalfa-millet association, pure sorghum, and pure millet. Forage dry-matter production was determined during the period (11/01/2011 to 19/04/2011) based on three cuttings in all treatments. Frequency of the same was according to the phenological stage of alfalfa. Land use equivalent (LUE) was estimated as was the effect of intercropping on alfalfa plants. Forage production of intercrop was 150% more than that of pure alfalfa but was less than that of pure sorghum and millet crops. The LUE values were close to 1.5 for the alfalfa-sorghum and alfalfa-millet associations. The population of alfalfa plants was not affected by interseeding, but their vigor and productive performance were. In conclusion, intercrops of alfalfa with pearl millet and with sorghum sudan improve forage production and LUE without altering the alfalfa plant stand.
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | spa |
| Published: |
Asociacion Latinoamericana de Produccion Animal
2013
|
| Online Access: | https://ojs.alpa.uy/index.php/ojs_files/article/view/2258 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|