Fodder Quality of Peanut and Borage Improved by Exogenous Application of Fertilizers in the Intercropping System

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
F. Salari 1
S. Khalesro 2
G. Heidari 3
S. Zareei 4
1 PhD. student, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
4 Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of organic and chemical fertilizers on the forage quality and quantity of borage (Borago officinalis L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in an intercropping system. This experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of the Kurdistan University during 2021 and 2022. The treatments included fertilizer (control, organic, and chemical) and cropping patterns (sole cropping of borage, sole cropping of peanut, 50%, and 100% additive intercropping). The results indicated that intercropping enhanced the quality traits of borage forage. The fertilization treatments improved the yield and qualitative traits of peanut fodder. Organic fertilizer increased crude protein in borage and peanut fodder by 29% and 20.4%, respectively, compared to the control. Intercropping increased the protein yield of borage by 16.6% compared to sole cropping. The NDF, ADF, dry matter digestibility, and ash content in borage fodder in the 100% intercropping with organic fertilizer increased by 46%, 46%, 30%, and 58.4%, respectively, compared to sole cropping without fertilizer. Overall, this study suggests that with appropriate agricultural management in the additive intercropping systems, there is potential to enhance the quality of borage and peanut fodder for livestock feeding.

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology

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Available Online from 01 January 2024