Forage production from the intercropping of seasonal crops during king grass (Pennisetum purpureum sp) planting

Cowing of maize (Zea mays L), grain sorghum IJ(Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) , dolicho (Lablab purpureus (L) Sweet), Amaranthus (Amaranthus cruentus var . Morelos) and forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) intercropped dur ing king grass planting was studied to determine forage production and its establishment. A random block design with 10 replications was used. The sow ing was carried out in a typical red ferrallitic soil after a traditional p reparation. Fertilization was at a rate of 0.5 t/ha of 6-3, 2-16 which was incorporated to the soil in the last harrowing. King grass population range d between 9-14 plants/m(2) and it was not affected by intercropping. The hi ghest population (25.3 plants/m(2)) was obtained in the grain sorghum (P < 0.001), the greatest king grass height (143 cm) was reached when forage sor ghum or amaranthus were intercropped. The crop reaching the greatest height was amaranthus (159 cm) (P < 0.001) while maize was similar. King grass ha d a greater production (8.77 t/ha DM) when planted alone, although it did n ot differ from the treatments intercropped with dolicho, Amaranthus or fora ge sorghum. The lowest king grass production (3.68 t/ha DM)was attained whe n intercropped with grain sorghum. The highest yielding crop was maize (5.2 t/ha DM) (P < 0.001). It is concluded that the highest forage yields are o btained when king grass was planted alone or intercropped with maize, amara nthus and forage sorghum. The advantages of intercropping during king grass establishment are discussed.