Effect of Nitrogen, Intercropping With Lablab Bean (Lablab purpureus) and Water Stress on Yield and Quality of Fodder Maize

Abstract

This study was conducted during the Winter of 2000/01 and 2001/02. It aimsed to investigate the effects of nitrogen application and intercropping with lablab bean on green fodder yield and quality of fodder maize under water stress. Watering intervals of 10 and 20 days were applied four weeks from planting, nitrogen at a rate of 0 and 88kg N /ha was applied two weeks after sowing and planting methods were pure stand of maize, alternating rows and alternating holes of maize and lablab bean. The results showed that neither green fodder yield nor quality of fodder maize was significantly affected by watering intervals. Nitrogen significantly increased green fodder yield in the second season. However it had no effect on contents of crude fiber, calcium, potassium and magnesium but, it reduced phosphorus content and increased crude protein content significantly in the first season. Intercropping reduced green fodder yield significantly during both seasons, increased crude protein significantly, reduced crude fiber non-significantly, did not affect mineral contents of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, but increased potassium content significantly in the first season. Significantly higher crude protein were attained by intercropped maize under different watering intervals and intercropped maize with nitrogen under different watering intervals in the first season.