Advantages of bi-cropping field beans (Vicia faba) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) on cereal forage yield and quality. Issue 4 (1st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kamalongo, Donwell M. A.; Cannon, Nicola D.
• Is Part Of: Biological agriculture & horticulture. Volume 36:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 213
• Page End: 229
• Publication Date: 2020-10-01
• Subjects: Bi-cropping -- chlorophyll -- crude protein -- forage yield -- N availability; organic farming; Agriculture -- Periodicals; Horticulture -- Periodicals; 630.27
• DOI: 10.1080/01448765.2020.1788991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8765

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In organic production systems, penalties in cereal forage yield and low crude protein (CP) concentration are mainly caused by limited soil nitrogen (N) availability, which can be addressed by using cereal/grain legume bi-cropping systems. To confirm this, a bi-cropping experiment with spring wheat cv. Paragon and faba beans cvs. Fuego and Maris Bead were conducted in 2 years, using a randomised complete block design and sowing the crops in a replacement design series. In 2016, the wheat forage yield in sole cropping exceeded that in bi-cropping by 58%. In 2015, the wheat forage harvest index (HI) in bi-cropping was 14% higher than that in sole cropping, but in 2016 it was 7% lower. In both years, bi-cropping increased the CP and the grain N uptake in the wheat compared with that sole cropping, by 25% and 17%, respectively. The chlorophyll concentration index (CCI) in the wheat was 2.2 times higher in bi-cropping than in sole cropping and 34% higher in the alternate rows systems compared with the broadcast system. In 2015, the efficiency of N use (NLER) in bi-cropping was 50.7% higher than that in sole cropping. Alternate row bi-cropping improved NLER over broadcast by 37.9%. Faba bean rust disease was more severe in Fuego than in Maris Bead. In conclusion, bi-cropping in uniform alternate row spacing can improve productivity and nutritional quality of wheat forage, compared with sole cropping. The bi-crop bean cultivars Fuego and Maris Bead can, improve wheat straw CP and reduce rust disease severity, respectively.