Comparative yield and nutritive value of forages from two cereal-legume based cropping systems. 1. Crop yields and the nutritive value of forages

The effects of two cropping systems (1 and 2) on grain and fodder yields an d nutritive quality of the fodder were studied in a randomized complete blo ck design experiment over a period of two cropping years. Crops and crop co mbinations in system 1 were oat-vetch, wheat-trifolium, teff straw, and cow pea. System 2 was similar to system 1 except that maize-lablab replaced whe at-trifolium. Neither grain yields nor yields of straws or hays were affect ed by intercropping. Grain and straw yields were about 25% higher than yiel ds reported for small holder systems. Using the standard measures of qualit y such as crude protein, neutral-detergent fibre, and acid-detergent lignin , the presence of legumes in crop mixtures improved forage quality resultin g in higher degradation characteristics than would be expected from cereals alone.