FORAGE YIELD AND QUALITY OF SOYBEAN -MAIZE INTERCROPPING

Abstract

The research was conducted to evaluate the effects of sole sowing and intercropping of maize and soybean with different sowing patterns and harvest stages on forage growth, yield and quality. A split plot experiment in randomized block design (RCBD) was established in Adana, Turkey in 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. Sowing patterns of the intercropping maize with soybean were 1 row maize to 1 row soybean (MI), 1 row maize to 2 rows soybean (M2), 2 rows maize to 1 row soybean (M3) in the alternate rows or 1 maize + 1 soybean (M4), 1 maize + 2 soybeans (M5), 2 maize + 1 soybean (M6) in the same row, respectively. The forage was harvested at two different growth stages of maize such as the milk and dough stages. Intercropping of maize and soybean in the same row produced a significantly higher green herbage and dry- matter (DM) yields than their intercropping in the alternate rows. Our results suggested that intercropping of maize and soybean with a sowing pattern 1M-1S or 1M-2S in the same row and harvesting these intercrops at dough stage of maize could be suggested for higher DM yield with improved forage quality,.