Register      Login
Crop and Pasture Science Crop and Pasture Science Society
Plant sciences, sustainable farming systems and food quality
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > CP > CP23172
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 75(1)

Yield and nutritional quality of intercropped forages for organic production in a hot-summer Mediterranean oak grassland ecosystem

Javier Plaza https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8908-1606 A * , Marco Criado https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5509-7573 B , M. Remedios Morales-Corts https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6736-5854 C , Rodrigo Pérez-Sánchez https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5170-4698 C , M. Ángeles Gómez-Sánchez https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9127-495X C , Beatriz Vázquez-de-Aldana https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6549-3545 D , Iñigo Zabalgogeazcoa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9524-7799 D and Carlos Palacios https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5876-6226 A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Animal Production Group, Faculty of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, University of Salamanca, Avenida Filiberto Villalobos 119, Salamanca 37007, Spain.

B Edaphology Group, Faculty of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, University of Salamanca, Avenida Filiberto Villalobos 119, Salamanca 37007, Spain.

C Plant Production Group, Faculty of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, University of Salamanca, Avenida Filiberto Villalobos 119, Salamanca 37007, Spain.

D Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca (IRNASA-CSIC), Cordel de Merinas 40-52, Salamanca 37008, Spain.

* Correspondence to: pmjavier@usal.es

Handling Editor: Christian Huyghe

Crop & Pasture Science 75, CP23172 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP23172
Submitted: 15 June 2023  Accepted: 15 December 2023  Published: 15 January 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

Forage cultivation plays a pivotal role in sustaining ruminants in resource-limited ecosystems such as the hot-summer Mediterranean agroforestry systems of the Iberian Peninsula comprising oak trees (Quercus spp.) and grassland species. Intercropping techniques can enhance forage yields and nutritional quality.

Aims

This study assessed the yield and nutritional quality of organic forage mixtures in an Iberian oak grassland ecosystem.

Methods

Six forage associations were assessed over two growing seasons: vetch (Vicia sativa L.)–triticale (Triticum × Secale), vetch–rye (Secale cereale), vetch–oat (Avena sativa), pea (Pisum sativum L.)–triticale, pea–rye, and pea–oat. The data were analysed using a multivariate procedure.

Key results

Differences in forage composition influenced nutritional quality but not yield. Vetch-based associations exhibited higher crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, magnesium, manganese and sulfur contents, along with lower proportions of neutral-detergent fibre and ether extract. The vetch–oat mixture emerged as the highest quality association. Interannual variations in precipitation and temperature caused differences in forage yield, with greater values observed in 2020 than in 2019. Forage associations also had significantly higher nutritional quality in 2020 (increased protein and mineral content, and decreased neutral detergent fibre and lignin).

Conclusions

All forages demonstrated satisfactory performance and quality, even in the drier conditions of 2019, suggesting high resilience and adaptability to hot-summer Mediterranean oak grassland ecosystems.

Implications

The findings of this study are relevant for organic farmers in resource-limited ecosystems. This information empowers them to select the most suitable forage species based on the specific agroclimatic conditions of each growing season.

Keywords: cereals, forages, hot-summer Mediterranean oak grassland ecosystem, intercropping, legumes, limiting edaphoclimatic conditions, nutritional quality, organic production.

References

Amin R, Khan AZ, Muhammad A, Khalil SK, Gul H, Daraz G, Akbar H, Ghoneim AM (2016) Influence of seed hardening techniques on vigor, growth and yield of wheat under drought conditions. Journal of Agricultural Studies 4, 121-131.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Anil L, Park J, Phipps RH, Miller FA (1998) Temperate intercropping of cereals for forage: a review of the potential for growth and utilization with particular reference to the UK. Grass and Forage Science 53, 301-317.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Annicchiarico P, Bozzo F, Parente G, Gusmeroli F, Mair V, Marguerettaz O, Orlandi D (1995) Analysis of adaptation of grass/legume mixtures to Italian alpine and subalpine zones through an additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model. Grass and Forage Science 50, 405-413.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Assefa G, Ledin I (2001) Effect of variety, soil type and fertiliser on the establishment, growth, forage yield, quality and voluntary intake by cattle of oats and vetches cultivated in pure stands and mixtures. Animal Feed Science and Technology 92, 95-111.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Baxevanos D, Tsialtas IT, Vlachostergios DN, Hadjigeorgiou I, Dordas C, Lithourgidis A (2017) Cultivar competitiveness in pea-oat intercrops under Mediterranean conditions. Field Crops Research 214, 94-103.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Beaufoy G (1998) The EU Habitats Directive in Spain: can it contribute effectively to the conservation of extensive agro-ecosystems? Journal of Applied Ecology 35, 974-978.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Belel MD, Halim RA, Rafii MY, Saud HM (2014) Intercropping of corn with some selected legumes for improved forage production: a review. Journal of Agricultural Science 6, 48-62.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Berkenkamp B, Meeres J (1987) Mixtures of annual crops for forage in Central Alberta. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 67, 175-183.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Buttler A, Mariotte P, Meisser M, Guillaume T, Signarbieux C, Vitra A, Preux S, Mercier G, Quezada J, Bragazza L, Gavazov K (2019) Drought-induced decline of productivity in the dominant grassland species Lolium perenne L. depends on soil type and prevailing climatic conditions. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 132, 47-57.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Bybee-Finley KA, Ryan MR (2018) Advancing intercropping research and practices in industrialized agricultural landscapes. Agriculture 8, 80.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Cao Y, Wang D, Wang L, Wei X, Li X, Cai C, Lei X, Yao J (2021) Physically effective neutral detergent fiber improves chewing activity, rumen fermentation, plasma metabolites, and milk production in lactating dairy cows fed a high-concentrate diet. Journal of Dairy Science 104, 5631-5642.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Capstaff NM, Miller AJ (2018) Improving the yield and nutritional quality of forage crops. Frontiers in Plant Science 9, 535.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Carrete M, Donázar JA (2005) Application of central-place foraging theory shows the importance of Mediterranean dehesas for the conservation of the cinereous vulture, Aegypius monachus. Biological Conservation 126, 582-590.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Chen L, Guo G, Yu C, Zhang J, Shimojo M, Shao T (2015) The effects of replacement of whole-plant corn with oat and common vetch on the fermentation quality, chemical composition and aerobic stability of total mixed ration silage in Tibet. Animal Science Journal 86, 69-76.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Daccord R, Wyss U, Kessler J, Arrigo Y, Rouel M, Lehmann J, Jeangros B, Meisser M (2017) Nutritional value of fodder. In ‘Recommended dietary intakes for ruminants (Green Paper)’. (Ed. Agroscope) Ch. 13. (Agroscope: Posieux, Switzerland) Available at https://www.agroscope.admin.ch/agroscope/fr/home/services/soutien/aliments-pour-animaux/apports-alimentaires-recommandes-ruminants.html [In French]

Delbridge TA, Fernholz C, King RP, Lazarus W (2013) A whole-farm profitability analysis of organic and conventional cropping systems. Agricultural Systems 122, 1-10.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Díaz-Ambrona CH, Mínguez MI (2001) Cereal–legume rotations in a Mediterranean environment: biomass and yield production. Field Crops Research 70, 139-151.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Eldesouky A, Mesias FJ, Elghannam A, Escribano M (2018) Can extensification compensate livestock greenhouse gas emissions? A study of the carbon footprint in Spanish agroforestry systems. Journal of Cleaner Production 200, 28-38.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Escribano AJ (2019) The dehesa system for livestock production. Evolution, conservation issues and livestock planning for sustainability. In ‘Livestock: production, management strategies and challenges’. (Eds VR Squires, WL Bryden) pp. 229–260. (Nova Science Publishers: Hauppauge, NY, USA)

Escribano M, Rodríguez de Ledesma A, Mesías FJ, Pulido F (2002) Stocking rates levels in the Extremadura dehesas [Spanish]. Animal Husbandry Archives 51, 315-326 Available at https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/495/49519503.pdf.
| Google Scholar |

Escribano AJ, Gaspar P, Mesías FJ, Escribano M, Pulido F (2015) Comparative sustainability assessment of extensive beef cattle farms in a high nature value agroforestry system. In ‘Rangeland ecology, management and conservation benefits’. (Ed. VR Squires) pp. 65–85. (Nova Science Publishers: Hauppauge, NY, USA) doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.3463433.v1

Eskandari H, Ghanbari A, Javanmard A (2009) Intercropping of cereals and legumes for forage production. Notulae Scientia Biologicae 1, 07-13.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Ghanbari-Bonjar A, Lee HC (2003) Intercropped wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and bean (Vicia faba L.) as a whole-crop forage: effect of harvest time on forage yield and quality. Grass and Forage Science 58, 28-36.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Goering HK, Van Soest PJ (1970) ‘Forage fiber analyses (apparatus, reagents, procedures, and some application).’ (Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture: Washington, DC, USA)

Govasmark E, Steen A, Bakken AK, Strøm T, Hansen S (2005) Factors affecting the concentration of Zn, Fe and Mn in herbage from organic farms and in relation to dietary requirements of ruminants. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B – Soil & Plant Science 55, 131-142.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Grahmann K, Honsdorf N, Crossa J, Alvarado Beltrán G, Govaerts B, Verhulst N (2021) Dry sowing reduced durum wheat performance under irrigated conservation agriculture. Field Crops Research 274, 108310.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Hodgson HJ (1956) Effect of seeding rates and time of harvest on yield and quality of oat-pea forage. Agronomy Journal 48, 87-90.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Iglesias E, Báez K, Diaz-Ambrona CH (2016) Assessing drought risk in Mediterranean Dehesa grazing lands. Agricultural Systems 149, 65-74.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Jarrige R, Demarquilly C, Dulphy JP, Hoden A, Robelin J, Beranger C, Geay Y, Journet M, Malterre C, Micol D, Petit M (1986) The INRA “Fill Unit” system for predicting the voluntary intake of forage-based diets in ruminants: a review. Journal of Animal Science 63, 1737-1758.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Javanmard A, Nasab ADM, Javanshir A, Moghaddam M, Janmohammadi H (2009) Forage yield and quality in intercropping of maize with different legumes as double-cropped. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment 7, 163-166.
| Google Scholar |

Javanmard A, Amani Machiani M, Lithourgidis A, Morshedloo MR, Ostadi A (2020) Intercropping of maize with legumes: a cleaner strategy for improving the quantity and quality of forage. Cleaner Engineering and Technology 1, 100003.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Jones D, Thomas T (1987) Minerals in pastures. In ‘Ecosystems of the World 17B. Managed grasslands: analytical studies’. (Ed. R Snaydon) pp. 145–153. (Elsevier Science: Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Kamihiro S, Stergiadis S, Leifert C, Eyre MD, Butler G (2015) Meat quality and health implications of organic and conventional beef production. Meat Science 100, 306-318.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Kandylis K (1984) The role of sulphur in ruminant nutrition. A review. Livestock Production Science 11, 611-624.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Karabulut A, Canbolat O, Kalkan H, Gurbuzol F, Sucu E, Filya I (2007) Comparison of in vitro gas production, metabolizable energy, organic matter digestibility and microbial protein production of some legume hays. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 20, 517-522.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Leng RA (1990) Factors affecting the utilization of ‘poor-quality’ forages by ruminants particularly under tropical conditions. Nutrition Research Reviews 3, 277-303.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Li R, Zhang Z, Tang W, Huang Y, Coulter JA, Nan Z (2020) Common vetch cultivars improve yield of oat row intercropping on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau by optimizing photosynthetic performance. European Journal of Agronomy 117, 126088.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Lithourgidis AS, Dordas CA (2010) Forage yield, growth rate, and nitrogen uptake of faba bean intercrops with wheat, barley, and rye in three seeding ratios. Crop Science 50, 2148-2158.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Maxin G, Andueza D, Le Morvan A, Baumont R (2017) Effect of intercropping vetch (Vicia sativa L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and triticale (X Triticosecale) on dry-matter yield, nutritive and ensiling characteristics when harvested at two growth stages. Grass and Forage Science 72, 777-784.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Maya-Blanco V, González-López F, Gragera-Facundo J (2017) Production and quality of rainfed cereal-legume forage mixtures in Extremadura [Spanish]. In ‘Rewilding vs. re-farming. Proceedings 56th scientific meeting, SEEP’. (Eds JB Filella, E Albanell, MJ Milán, E Serrano, MJ Broncano, CL Manuelian) pp. 39–45. (Spanish Society for the Study of Pastures (SEEP): Barcelona, Spain)

Minson DJ (1990a) Magnesium. In ‘Forage in ruminant nutrition’. (Ed. DJ Minson) pp. 265–290. (Academic Press: San Diego, CA, USA) doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-498310-6.50015-8

Minson DJ (1990b) Zinc. In ‘Forage in ruminant nutrition’. (Ed. DJ Minson) pp. 346–358. (Academic Press: San Diego, CA, USA) doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-498310-6.50019-5

Moreno G, Obrador JJ, García A (2007) Impact of evergreen oaks on soil fertility and crop production in intercropped dehesas. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 119, 270-280.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Nadeem M, Ansar M, Anwar A, Hussain A, Khan S (2010) Performance of winter cereal-legumes fodder mixtures and their pure stand at different growth stages under rainfed conditions of pothowar. Journal of Agricultural Research 48, 181-192.
| Google Scholar |

NASEM (2016) ‘Nutrient requirements of beef cattle.’ 8th Revised edn. (The National Academies Press: Washington, DC, USA) doi:10.17226/19014

Nelder JA, Wedderburn RWM (1972) Generalized linear models. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. Series A (General) 135, 370-384.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Neumann A, Schmidtke K, Rauber R (2007) Effects of crop density and tillage system on grain yield and N uptake from soil and atmosphere of sole and intercropped pea and oat. Field Crops Research 100, 285-293.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Newell MA, Butler TJ (2013) Forage rye improvement in the Southern United States: a review. Crop Science 53, 38-47.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Olea L, San Miguel-Ayanz A (2006) The Spanish dehesa. A traditional Mediterranean silvopastoral system linking production and nature conservation. In ‘Sustainable grassland productivity. Proceedings of the 21st general meeting of the European Grassland Federation’. Badajoz, Spain. pp. 3–13. (Sociedad Española para el Estudio de los Pastos: Badajoz, Spain)

Otal J, Martinez M, Quiles A, Pérez-Sempere JI, Ramírez A, Fuentes F, Hevia ML (2008) Effect of location, year and variety on winter cereal forage yield and quality in the Southern Plateau of the Spain. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 21, 1416-1424.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Parras-Alcántara L, Díaz-Jaimes L, Lozano-García B, Rebollo PF, Elcure FM, Muñoz MDC (2014) Organic farming has little effect on carbon stock in a Mediterranean dehesa (southern Spain). CATENA 113, 9-17.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Perotti E, Huguenin-Elie O, Meisser M, Dubois S, Probo M, Mariotte P (2021) Climatic, soil, and vegetation drivers of forage yield and quality differ across the first three growth cycles of intensively managed permanent grasslands. European Journal of Agronomy 122, 126194.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Revilla I, Plaza J, Palacios C (2021) The effect of grazing level and ageing time on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of beef meat in organic and conventional production. Animals 11, 635.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Sanderson MA, Soder KJ, Muller LD, Klement KD, Skinner RH, Goslee SC (2005) Forage mixture productivity and botanical composition in pastures grazed by dairy cattle. Agronomy Journal 97, 1465-1471.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Seal HL (1964) ‘Multivariate statistical analysis for biologists.’ (Methuen and Co.: London, UK)

Soto-Barajas MC, Zabalgogeazcoa I, Gómez-Fuertes J, González-Blanco V, Vázquez-de-Aldana BR (2016) Epichloë endophytes affect the nutrient and fiber content of Lolium perenne regardless of plant genotype. Plant and Soil 405, 265-277.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Staniak M, Ksiak J, Bojarszczuk J (2014) Mixtures of legumes with cereals as a source of feed for animals. In ‘Organic agriculture towards sustainability’. (Ed. V Pilipavicius) pp. 123–145. (InTech: Kaunas, Lithuania) doi:10.5772/58358

Therond O, Duru M, Roger-Estrade J, Richard G (2017) A new analytical framework of farming system and agriculture model diversities. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 37, 21.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Tukey JW (1949) Comparing individual means in the analysis of variance. Biometrics 5, 99-114.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Uzun A, Bilgili U, Sincik M, Filya I, Acikgoz E (2005) Yield and quality of forage type pea lines of contrasting leaf types. European Journal of Agronomy 22, 85-94.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Vázquez-de-Aldana BR, García-Ciudad A, García-Criado B (2008) Interannual variations of above-ground biomass and nutritional quality of Mediterranean grasslands in Western Spain over a 20-year period. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 59, 769-779.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

White LM (1985) Stand age, precipitation, and temperature effects on forage yield. Journal of Range Management 38, 39.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Willey RW (1979) Intercropping: its importance and research needs. Part 1, competition and yield advantages. Field Crops Abstracts 32, 1-10.
| Google Scholar |

Yilmaz Ş, Özel A, Atak M, Erayman M (2015) Effects of seeding rates on competition indices of barley and vetch intercropping systems in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 39, 135-143.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Yolcu H, Gunes A, Turan M (2009) Evaluation of annual legumes and barley as sole crops and intercrop in spring frost conditions for animal feeding II. Mineral composition. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 8, 1343-1348.
| Google Scholar |