Forage production by four annual cropping sequences emphasizing barley under irrigation in southern interior British Columbia

Abstract

Forage yield and quality of four annual cropping sequences were compared under irrigation in the southern interior of British Columbia. Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was intercropped with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) (BR), double cropped alone (B–B), double cropped in mixtures with common vetch (Vicia saliva L.) (BV-BV), or double cropped with annual ryegrass included with the second crop (B–BR). Averaged over 2 yr, BR produced 19% more dry matter, 38% more in vitro digestible dry matter and 43% more crude protein than B–B. Intercropped common vetch (BV–BV) improved forage quality and increased protein yield of both barley crops without reducing seasonal dry matter yield. Intercropping annual ryegrass reduced the neutral detergent fiber of both barley crops, but did not affect other quality characteristics or yield.Key words: Forage mixtures, barley, annual ryegrass, common vetch, forage yield and quality