Intercropping of corn with cowpea and bean: Biomass yield and silage quality

An experiment was carried out at the Bornova experimental fields of Field Crops Department of Agriculture Faculty., Ege Univ., Turkey during 2004-2005 growing season in order to determine biomass yield and silage quality of corn (Zea mays indendata) mixed with legumes such as various cowpea (Vigna ungiuculata) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultivars monocropped or intercropped in same or alternate-rows. Results indicated that intercropping system affected many characteristics such as plant height, fresh biomass and dry matter (DM) yield, pH level and crude protein (CP) content and yield of silage material. Intercropped corn with legumes were far more effective than monocrop corn to produce higher DM yield and roughage for silage with better quality. Practicing alternate-row sowings and benefiting from climbing types of legumes as component crop had better performances than same-row sowings and dwarf type legume.