Intercropping of forage crops with grasses - an innovative fodder production system for mid-Himalayan hills.

摘要

In a study conducted during 1998-2001 in Himachal Pradesh, India, perennial grasses (Setaria anceps [S. sphacelata var. sericea], hybrid Napier [Pennisetum purpureum], Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and green panic grass (Panicum maximum var. trichoglume)) were cropped with soyabeans in the kharif season, and oats, peas and sarson [Brassica campestris var. sarson] in the rabi season for enhanced forage production as well as duration of forage availability. Hybrid Napier alone and its mixture with soyabeans produced significantly higher green (62.99 and 68.18 t/ha) and dry (8.38 and 9.21 t/ha) biomass. S. anceps and hybrid Napier produced higher biomass during their second cuts, while, Guinea and green panic grasses produced higher biomass in the first cut. Crude protein content under different cuts ranged from 5.26 to 8.99% in S. anceps, 7.02-11.03% in hybrid Napier, 6.94-8.13% in Guinea grass and 6.32-9.18% in green panic grass. Crude protein content was higher in perennial grasses when cut along with intercropped legumes. Hybrid Napier and its mixture with soyabean had higher crude protein content and lower amounts of lignin and silica. During the rabi season, there was no significant difference in biomass production among treatments. The average crude protein content under different cuts in oats, peas and sarson was 11.07, 19.32 and 11.64%, respectively. The herbage mixtures of both seasons had adequate amounts of macro and trace minerals to meet the minimum requirements of animals. Hybrid Napier intercropped with legume and non-legume fodders during the kharif and rabi seasons produced the highest green biomass and net profit (87.64 t/ha and Rs 18 861/ha, respectively). Hybrid Napier and its intercropping was better than the other combinations and can be cultivated in grasslands and waste lands under rainfed conditions in the humid sub-tropics of Himachal Pradesh..