The performance of wheat and wheat/clover intercropping on drained vertisol in the Ethiopian highlands
1998
Abate Tedla (ILRI, Addis Abeba (Ethiopia)) | Tekalign Mamo | Klaij, M.C.
Crop residues are becoming the major feed source in the highland mixed farming systems. However, the quality of the feed produced as crop residues is low, since these feeds are generally considered to be inadequate and low in nutritive values. The situation in the dry season is even worse when the crude protein content of crop residues and stubble falls below normal. In order to demonstrate the possibility of producing high quality fooder without jeopardizing the grain production, a trial on wheat/clover intercropping was conducted in the 1994 and 1995 seasons at ginchi (9 degree 0'n, 38 degree 15. E). 2200 masl., on farmers' fields. Results showed that in both seasons, what/clover intercropping did not reduce wheat grain yields compared to that obtained from the pure wheat treatment. However, the wheat/clover treatment substantially raised the fodder output and its quality. Weed yield was slightly lower in wheat/clover treatment than in pure wheat but the difference was not significant. The combined wheat/clover stubble improved feed quality in terms of CP as opposed to the pure wheat straw. Since forage clover provides generally high quality in terms of CP as opposed to the pure wheat straw. Since forage clover provides generally high quality-feed as it is rich in protein, it can be used to improve the quality of wheat straw which is a major source of feed as it is rich in protein, it can be used to improve the quality of wheat straw which is a major source of feed in the smallholder farming system. Hence, a wheat/clover intercrop is the most practical method of enhance the quality of stubble grazing after grain harvest and as a whole maximises production per unit land area.
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