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Effects of Intercropping, Nitrogen Fertilization and Corn Plant Density on Yield, Crude Protein Accumulation and Ensiling Characteristics of Silage Corn Interseeded into Alfalfa Stand

Author

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  • Ruixuan Xu

    (College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
    Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Haiming Zhao

    (Dryland Farming Institute, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Hengshui 053000, China
    Key Laboratory of Crop Drought Resistance of Hebei Province, Hengshui 053000, China)

  • Yongliang You

    (Dryland Farming Institute, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Hengshui 053000, China
    Key Laboratory of Crop Drought Resistance of Hebei Province, Hengshui 053000, China)

  • Ruixin Wu

    (Dryland Farming Institute, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Hengshui 053000, China
    Key Laboratory of Crop Drought Resistance of Hebei Province, Hengshui 053000, China)

  • Guibo Liu

    (Dryland Farming Institute, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Hengshui 053000, China
    Key Laboratory of Crop Drought Resistance of Hebei Province, Hengshui 053000, China)

  • Zhiqiang Sun

    (College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
    Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Bademuqiqige

    (College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
    Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Yingjun Zhang

    (College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
    Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China)

Abstract

Interseeding silage corn into an alfalfa stand following its spring harvests to produce mixed silage would feasibly break the restriction of alfalfa production during a hot-rainy summer. In this 2-yr experiment, the alfalfa–silage corn intercropping system (AC) with nitrogen (N) fertilization rates of 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N ha −1 and corn plant densities of 30,000, 45,000, and 60,000 plants ha −1 was compared with the monocultured corn (CK) managed using the local farmers’ practice. Intercropping with alfalfa significantly decreased the dry matter (DM) yield of the corn by 31.5% on average, while increasing the N application rate and corn plant density promoted DM yield and crude protein (CP) accumulation of the intercropped corn, and the intercropping system could achieve the same CP yield as CK—it did in most cases. Although the DM contents, pH values, and NH 3 -N concentrations were decreased in the mixed silage, its fermentation quality was not reduced and the CP, water soluble carbohydrates, and lactic acid contents were dramatically increased by 16.3%, 17.8%, and 72.9% compared with those of CK, respectively. For the opposite effects of N fertilization and corn density on silage quality, the treatment combination with a medium corn density (45,000 plants ha −1 ) fertilized at a medium N rate (120 kg N ha −1 ) was evaluated as the optimum for more balanced system productivity, silage nutritive values and fermentative characteristics during the coexisting period.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruixuan Xu & Haiming Zhao & Yongliang You & Ruixin Wu & Guibo Liu & Zhiqiang Sun & Bademuqiqige & Yingjun Zhang, 2022. "Effects of Intercropping, Nitrogen Fertilization and Corn Plant Density on Yield, Crude Protein Accumulation and Ensiling Characteristics of Silage Corn Interseeded into Alfalfa Stand," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:3:p:357-:d:762375
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xu, Ruixuan & Zhao, Haiming & Liu, Guibo & Li, Yuan & Li, Shoujiao & Zhang, Yingjun & Liu, Nan & Ma, Lei, 2022. "Alfalfa and silage maize intercropping provides comparable productivity and profitability with lower environmental impacts than wheat–maize system in the North China plain," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Cong & Ren, Yuanyuan & Yan, Minfei & He, Zhan & Chen, Yinglong & Zhang, Suiqi, 2023. "Effect of sowing date on water uptake patterns of maize and soybean in intercropping systems using stable isotopes," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).

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