Forage Yield, Quality of Triticale Intercrops with Faba Bean, Pea and Vetch at Varying Seeding Ratios

Intercropping of annual legumes with cereals is getting more common every day. Triticale (xTriticosecale Wittmack), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), pea (Pisum arvense L.), Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica L.) sole crops as well as the intercrops of triticale with each of the above legumes, in three seeding ratios (75:25, 50:50 and 25:75), were determinated for forage yield, legume cereals and weed rate, crude protein (CP), NDF, ADF, ADL and ash content. In intercropping systems, decreasing ratios of legumes and cereals also resulted in decreased legume and cereal yields. The least weed ratios were observed in pure triticale and triticale–faba bean intercropping. The greatest green herbage yield was obtained from pure faba bean and the greatest dry hay yield was obtained from pure triticale and triticale–faba bean (50:50) intercropping system. In general, dry hay yields increased with increasing triticale ratios in intercropping systems. The greatest crude protein ratio was obtained from pure legumes and among them, from faba bean. Increasing crude protein ratios were observed with increasing legume ratios in intercropping systems. The lowest NDF ratios were observed in pure legumes. Increasing NDF ratios were observed with decreasing legume ratios in intercropping systems. In faba bean–Hungarian vetch intercropping, significant decreases were observed in ADL ratios with decreasing legume ratios. The greatest crude ash was observed in pure faba bean and the lowest value was seen in triticale. Crude ash contents of intercropping systems were close to each other. Although the pure sowings had higher yields, triticale: faba bean (50:50) intercropping system was recommended for environmental sustainability.