An evaluation of forage potential of an alfalfa+maize intercropping system

The nutrient production performance of different alfalfa(Medicago sativa)+maize(Zea mays) intercropping systems and the discrepancy of rumen degradable nutrients yields were studied to make a comprehensive assessment on the forage potential of these intercropping systems.Four intercropping treatments(alternating alfalfa and maize rows in a 2∶2,3∶2,4∶2,5∶2,design) with three replicates and intercropping area rates of 33%∶67%,43%∶57%,50%∶50%,55%∶45%,respectively were established.Pure stands of maize and alfalfa were used as the control groups.Dry matter yields,nutrient yields,and rumen degradability of nutrients were measured to make comparisons of degradable nutrients output and total degradable nutrients of the different alfalfa+maize intercropping systems.A comprehensive assessment was made of forage potential.The alfalfa+maize intercropping system improved total dry matter and nutrient yields per unit of intercropped land and enhanced nutrients rumen degradability and production of total degradable nutrients,with a higher feed production potential compared with pure stands of maize or alfalfa.Under the conditions of this experiment,the 5∶2 intercropping patterns gave the best production.