Mixed cropping system of maize and bean as a local source of N-substances for the nutrition of farm animals

• Published in: European journal of agronomy Vol. 154; p. 127059
• Main Authors: Kintl, Antonín, Smeringai, Jan, Sobotková, Julie, Huňady, Igor, Brtnický, Martin, Hammerschmiedt, Tereza, Elbl, Jakub
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Acid detergent fibre; Biomass quality; Biomass yield; Cropping system; Nitrogenous substances; Biomass yield; Biomass quality; Nitrogenous substances; Cropping system; Acid detergent fibre
• ISSN: 1161-0301; 1873-7331
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eja.2023.127059

In this study, we investigated the quality of mixed cropping system (MCS) composed of maize and bean in comparison with maize grown as monoculture. Experimental stands were established using the precision vacuum seeding machine during a single crossing of the plot. Inter-row distance was 0.375 m, and regularly alternating experimental crops were maize (Zea mays L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Experimental variants included maize alone (M) in an amount of 80,000 seeds per hectare and maize (M-MCS) with bean (B-MCS) in a 1:1 ratio (80,000: 80,000 individuals) in MCS. Average yield of N-substances (t/ha) in the biomass obtained from individual variants was 2.36 t/ha in the pure maize culture and 3.09 t/ha in the mixed culture (by 30.9% more). The difference was statistically significant. On the other hand, differences in the content of N-substances (protein) were not found. Results of the experiment for the whole period from 2020–2022 also indicated that the presence of bean in the mixed crop statistically significantly increased contents of acid detergent fibre and crude fibre. On the other hand, compared with the biomass of maize monoculture, bean reduced contents of starch and lipids in the maize biomass. The measured results indicate that biomass from mixed cropping systems has a higher potential to fix more N than biomass from the maize monoculture which is important for digestibility of fodder in livestock production. •Mixed cropping system of maize and beans affects qualitative parameters of silage.•Growing legume together with maize leads to increased yield of N in plant biomass.•Growing legumes alone cannot replace maize in livestock nutrition.