Study on the effects of different component of sainafoin (Ononbrychis viciifolia) and Festuca (Festuca arundianceae) intercropped on quantitative and qualitative yields and economics characteristics

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of different cropping combinations of Sainfoin (Onobrychis Viciifolia) and Festuca (Festuca arundinaceae) as intercropping on quantitative, qualitative, economic characteristics of forage in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications at Golpayegan Agricultural Research Station since 2002. Treatments included Sainfoin monoculture, 80% Sainfoin + 20% Festuca, 60% Sainfoin + 40% Festuca, 40% Sainafoin + 60% Festuca, 80% Sainfoin + 20% Festuca and Festuca monoculture. The method of planting was row cropping with 40 cm row spacing and 60 cm row length and each plat consisted of 12 rows that 2 rows were considered as borders and 10 other rows were planted based on related treatments. Irrigation, weed control and other operations were practiced. First year were considered as establish year and were analyzed separately with one cutting and other two years with 3 cuttings per year (at the time of 10% sainfoin flowering), fresh weight, dry weight and forage protein were measured and combined analyses were performed for these traits. Results showed that there were significant differences among different combinations of cropping for fresh and dry matters and protein in 1% level and there were significant differences among different cuttings for fresh and dry matters and protein. Intercropping of 60% Sainfoin + 40% Festuca produced the highest fresh matter (95.52 ton/ha), dry matter (20.34 ton/ha), protein (2.75 ton/ha) and Land Equivalent Ratio (1.52) and recommended in the region. Festuca monoculture produced the lowest fresh matter (39.7 ton/ha), dry matter (9.4 ton/ha) and protein (1.26 ton/ha) between other treatments. Results of economic evaluation with net present value (NPV), benefit to cost ratio (BCR) and interval rate ratio (IRR) showed that intercropping of 60% Sainfoin + 40% Festuca had economical priority. IRR of the best treatment (60% Sainfoin + 40% Festuca) was 18.47% and for other treatments were less than 11%. Regarding to usual discount rate in Iran that considered about 18%, intercropping of 60% Sainfoin and 40% Festuca is recommended to farmers in Golpayegan.