Production, fermentation profile, and nutritional quality of silage from corn and soybean intercropping

Abstract

Forage seasonality makes farmers use conservation practices. Mixing corn silage and legumes can enhance silage quality and hence animal productivity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate yield and quality of silages from intercropping between genetically modified corn and soybean for glyphosate tolerance (RR - Roundup Ready) as a function of plant spatial arrangement, soybean variety, and sowing fertilization methods. Two intercropping arrangements of RR corn and RR soybeans were tested: alternate single rows of corn and soybeans and double corn rows for each soybean row. Treatments were randomized blocks with four replications, arranged in a 2x2+1 factorial scheme. The first factor was sowing fertilization method (2): only in corn rows or in total area. The second factor was soybean variety (2): medium- and late-cycle genotypes, and an additional treatment of corn monoculture. After harvest, forage material was analyzed for agronomic characteristics and then ensiled for 60 days. Thereafter, bromatological composition, fermentation profile, and losses were analyzed during silage fermentation process. No differences were observed among treatments for total silage production. Overall, silage from intercropping treatments showed higher levels of hemicellulose, total digestible nutrients, crude protein, and ether extract, thus improving silage quality. However, lower contents of dry matter, acid detergent fiber, and cellulose were also observed in silage from intercropped treatments. In short, adding soybeans to silage can improve final roughage, reducing costs of protein and energy supplements.