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Silage Fermentation and In Vitro Degradation Characteristics of Orchardgrass and Alfalfa Intercrop Mixtures as Influenced by Forage Ratios and Nitrogen Fertilizing Levels

Author

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  • Zhulin Xue

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

  • Yanlu Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Hongjian Yang

    (State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Shoujiao Li

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

  • Yingjun Zhang

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

Abstract

Intercropping is a globally accepted method of forage production and its effect on silage quality depends not only on forage combination but also fertilization strategy. In the present study, field intercropping of orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata ) and alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) at five seed ratios (100:0, 75:25: 50:50, 25:75, 0:100 in %, based on seed weight) was applied under three N fertilizing levels (0, 50, and 100 kg/ha), and harvested for silage making and in vitro rumen degradation. As a result of intercropping, the actual proportions (based on dry matter) of alfalfa in mixtures were much closer to seed proportion of alfalfa in field, except 75:25 orchardgrass-alfalfa intercrops with no fertilization. The actual proportions of alfalfa in mixtures decreased by 3–13% with the increase of N level. Increases of alfalfa proportion in mixtures increased silage quality, nutrients degradability and CH 4 emissions. Increasing N levels increased silage pH, concentration of butyric acid, and fiber fractions. In summary, inclusion of alfalfa at around 50% in orchardgrass-alfalfa silage mixtures were selected for favorable ensiling and higher forage use efficiency while also limiting CH 4 emissions, compared to monocultures. The silage quality and feeding values of mixtures were influenced more by forage ratios than by N levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhulin Xue & Yanlu Wang & Hongjian Yang & Shoujiao Li & Yingjun Zhang, 2020. "Silage Fermentation and In Vitro Degradation Characteristics of Orchardgrass and Alfalfa Intercrop Mixtures as Influenced by Forage Ratios and Nitrogen Fertilizing Levels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-25, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:871-:d:312564
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuanting Yang & Qun Wu & Hu Liu & Ke Wang & Meng Zeng & Xiaotao Han & Weishi Peng & Hanlin Zhou & Jiancheng Han, 2023. "Sustainable Use of Pennisetum sinese : Effect on Nutritional Components and Fermentation Quality of Stylosanthes guianensis in Tropics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-12, August.

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