Evaluation of productivity and quality of forage sorghum and legumes crops under varying intercropping combinations

The present study was conducted during kharif season of 2017 with objective to study the influence of different intercropping combinations of forage sorghum and legumes (cowpea and guar) on forage productivity and quality. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 7 treatments consisting of three different forage crops, viz. sorghum, cowpea and guar sown in sole treatment as well as in 1:1 and 2:1 intercropping combinations of forage sorghum with legume crop components. Results revealed that the highest total green fodder yield (434.61 q/ha) and total dry matter yield (90.65 q/ha) were obtained with sorghum+cowpea (2:1) and sorghum+guar (2:1) intercropping combinations, respectively. Forage sorghum recorded significantly higher CP content (8.92%) in sorghum+guar (1:1) intercropping combination. Significantly higher ether extract of sorghum (2.03%), cowpea (2.60%) and guar (2.61%) were found in their (1:1) intercropping row proportion. The maximum total CP yield and total EE yield (10.35 and 1.93 q/ha), respectively were reported in sorghum+guar (1:1) ratio, while total ash yield (9.18 q/ha) was recorded in sorghum+guar (2:1) intercropping ratio. The sorghum planted under 1:1 intercropping row ratios of sorghum with cowpea/ guar crops recorded significantly lowest value of NDF (61.12-61.14%) and ADF (30.12-30.15%) and ADL (4.24-4.26%) over 2:1 row ratio intercropping of sorghum with cowpea/ guar and its sole stand. The minimum value of NDICP on DM% and ADICP DM% basis and NDICP on CP% and ADICP CP% basis were reported in 1:1 intercropping proportion. Therefore, considering overall results of our study, it can be concluded that to realize higher production and quality of forage sorghum its cultivation in 1:1 and 2:1 row ratio with legumes (Guar/cowpea) can be recommended.