Potential of forage production on dry land agriculture with mixed cropping pattern

Abstract

Mixed farming system is an alternative to overcome the shortage of ruminants feed. This study aimed to observe the potential forage production in mixed cropping pattern on dry land agriculture. This research was conducted at the Agro Technology Innovation Center (PIAT) Universitas Gadjah Mada, from January until November. The research field size was 3.000 m2 divided into 2 blocks for monoculture and mix-cropping. During rainy season the sweet corn was planted on monoculture plot; on mix-cropping plot 1.000 m2 was planted with sweet corn and the rest was planted with Brachiaria brizantha, Arachis hypogaea, and Manihot utilissima. Gliricidia maculata is planted as a hedge that surrounds the mixed plot. After the first harvest, both plots were re-processed and planted with Arachis hypogaea. Forage sampling was done using the quarter method. The variables observed were the production of dry and organic matter of agricultural by-product, in vitro digestibility of dry and organic matter, and the economic income of the main crops. The data were analyzed using Independent sample t-Test. The results showed an increase (P<0.05) of production, digestibility, and economic income with the existence of mixed cropping. Mixed cropping provides better production, digestibility and economic income compared to a single planting.