Evaluation of forage production using maize-legume intercropping and biofertilizer under low-input conditions

Intercropping as a low�input cropping system has been associated with higher forage yield in comparison with sole crops. This study compared the forage yield of sole maize and intercrops of maize with legumes grown under biofertilizer application, and examined the different competition indices in these intercropping patterns. The field assay was conducted during the 2013 growing season at the University of Maragheh in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran. The study was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 14 treatments and 3 replications. Experimental treatments included intercropping of maize (inoculation with nitroxin as biological fertilizer) with hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) maize (no inoculation)-grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.). maize (no inoculation)-sainfoin (Onobrychis vicifolia Scop.), maize (inoculated)-berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), maize (no inoculation)-vetch maize (inoculated)-vetch, maize (inoculated)-sainfoin, maize (no inoculation) + berseem clover and monoculture of maize (no inoculation), maize (inoculation), clover, vetch, grass pea and sainfoin. Results showed that the maize (inculation)-vetch intercropping pattern had the highest forage production and the lowest yield production was in sainfoin and grass pea sole crops. Intercropping inoculated maize with vetch also had the highest amounts of land equivalent ratio (LER) and monetary advantage index (MAI), The higher relative crowding coefficient (RCC) of maize (K = 1.08) compared with those of legumes (k=0.93) indicated that maize was more competitive than legumes as intercrops, However, among all intercrops, maize (inoculation)-vetch was found to be most profitable. The results obtained from completion and economic indices indicated superior advantage of this intercrop in terms of more efficient land use and more economic benefits than those of other evaluated intercrops.