Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer, Intercropping Ratios, and Molasses On Silage Quality of Millet-Soybean Intercrops.

Silage quality is considered as one of the most important components in dairy cattle’s diet.  Cereal – legume intercropping may improve forage chemical composition and silage quality parameters. To study the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and intercropping ratios on silage quality parameters of millet (Pannicum glaucum L.) - soybean (Glycine max L. Var.Williams) intercrops, two field experiments were conducted at the research farm of University of Tehran during 2007-2009 growing seasons. Experiments were established on a clay-loam soil in a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangements with four replications. Main plots consisted of three levels of nitrogen from the source of urea (46% N) and sub-plots were consisted of four intercropping ratios including: 50% millet: 50% soybean (One row of each species), 50% millet: 50% soybean (Two rows of each species), 60% millet: 40% soybean, 40% millet: 60% soybean, along with pure stand of millet and soybean. Also, forage samples were treated with and without molasses for silage preparation. Silage quality parameters included pH, Acetic acid, Butyric acid, ammonia nitrogen, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude protein (CP), ash, and dry matter (DM).  Some silage chemical compositions were affected by molasses and adding molasses improved silage quality compared with no molasses. Nitrogen fertilizer increased CP and ammonia- nitrogen concentrations of silage. Silage quality parameters were affected by intercropping ratios and silage produced in intercropping ratios had a higher quality compared with sole crop of millet and soybean.