Effect of Triticale Legume Mixed Cropping with Various Manure Levels on Forage Production for Hanwoo Cattle

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate mixed cropping triticale with legumes using different cattle manure levels for optimum forage productivity in a split plot arrangement having 3 main plots and 4 subplots with three replicates. Triticale was cultivated as monocrop, mixed cropped with hairy vetch and winter pea under 3 main plots. Four manure levels were also evaluated under 4 sub-plots: 0 kg N (nitrogen)/ha (control), 50, 100 & 150 kg N/ha. The collected data were analyzed using general linear model procedure through Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Dry matter (DM) yield of triticale-vetch mixed crop was higher (P<0.05) at 150 kg N/ha level than that of control and not different (P>0.05) from that of 50 and 100 kg N/ ha. The DM yield of triticale-pea was not different (P>0.05) from that of control and triticale-vetch mixed crop at all manure levels. Crude protein (CP) yield of triticale hairy vetch and pea mixtures was not different (P>0.05) across all manure levels. Yield of total digestible nutrients (TDN) was highest at 150 kg N/ha in triticale sole monocrop, followed by 100, 50 and 0 kg N/ha levels. The overall TDN yield in triticale vetch mixture with 100 kg N/ha was higher (P<0.05) than control and not different (P>0.05) from 50 and 150 kg N/ha levels. However, TDN yield of triticale-pea mixture was greater (P<0.05) than triticale monocrop. Carrying capacity for Hanwoo cows in triticale with vetch and pea were also not different (P>0.05) from triticale-vetch mixed crop at all nitrogen levels. Mixed cropping produced optimum CP yield and carrying capacity for Hanwoo cows even without manure application, whereas 50 kg N/ha manure could be needed for optimal DM and TDN yield. It was concluded that optimum forage productivity could be achieved by application of 50 kg N/ha from animal manure and mixed sowing of triticale with hairy vetch or winter pea.