Aποδόσεις και χημική σύσταση σανού, συγκαλλιέργειας κτηνοτροφικών ψυχανθών και σιτηρών, στο Νομό Φλώρινας

Abstract

Intercropping of legumes with winter cereals is a very common practice for forage production that has been applied for centuries in many countries. The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the effect of different intercropping systems on yield and protein content in biomass and seeds. The experiment was established in the farm of the Western Macedonia University in Florina and the completely randomized design was applied with three replications. Particularly, common vetch and forage pea were used as forage legumes and barley and triticale were used for cereals, which were cultivated in monoculture and in intercropping in mixed rows in a sowing ratios 65:35 (legumes: cereals) and in alternate rows. In the experimental plots, six lines five meters long were sown, from which the 4 middle were harvested. Only base fertilization and all agricultural practices were used during the growing season. The height after tillering was measured during the growing season and it was found that the monocultures had a bigger height compared to the intercropping systems. The biomass was harvested when the legumes were at the end of the flowering period and were dried naturally for the formation of hay. The different plant species were separated by hand to determine their fresh matter weight. The total N content was calculated using the Kjeldahl method and then the protein content was calculated from the biomass of each plot. In all cases dry matter yield was higher in intercrops grown in different lines compared to mixed lines. Significant differences were found between treatments concerning the protein content in dry matter. But there were not significant differences between legumes concerning the protein content in dry matter, while the cereals show significant differences in protein content. To calculate seed yield and protein content, the other two inner rows were harvested at maturity stage. An increase in seed yield was observed in cereals only in the intercropping mixtures Barley + Pea and barley + common vetch (mixed rows). The seed yield of legumes in most cases was higher in intercropping system compared to monocultures. An increased seed protein content was observed only where triticale intercropped with common vetch in mixed rows). In all intercropping systems the ratio of Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was greater than 1 which indicates that the intercropping systems had greater efficiency and yield compared to their monoculture system. Comparing the values of the relative crowding factor (RCC or K) it is noticed that many crops have an advantageous performance compared to their monocultures, except the intercropping of Barley + common vetch (mixed rows) and Barley + Pea in different rows where the monoculture showed better behavior From the Aggressivity (A) and the Competitive Ratio, (CR) it is obvious that the legumes are more competitive than the cereals during the intercropping. The index of actual yield loss (AYL) had positive values meaning that intercropping has an advantage over the respective monoculture. Positive values were observed for the Index of Intercrop Advantage (IA) and Monetary Advantage Index (MAI), implying that intercropping cereals with legumes has an advantage over the respective monoculture at an economic level.