The Effect of Under Sowing of Forage Legumes in Maize on Dry Matter Yield and Nutritional Value of the Fodder in Baresa Watershed, Ethiopia

A field evaluation study was conducted in Baresa watershed in Meskan Woreda, Gurage zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities and People Regional State, Southern Ethiopia in 2010. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of under sowing forage legumes in maize in terms of productivity, nutritional quality and compatibility. Three forage legumes namely cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), lablab (Lablab purpureus) and vetch (vetch dasycarpa) were under sown in maize (BH-540). The trial was laid out in a randomized completely block design with three replications on-farm, on three farmers field with participatory approach. The forage integration treatments did not have a significant effect on maize grain and biomass yield (Pgreater than0.05). There was no difference (Pgreater than0.05) among the different treatments in the chemical composition and the crude protein yield of the maize Stover. The DM yield of the legumes, total biomass yield varied significantly (P less than 0.05) between treatments. Among the tested forage legumes, lablab produced the higher forage yield. The total fodder crude protein yield, varied significantly (pless than 0.05) among treatments. Under sowing of forage legumes resulted in higher total crude protein yield than pure cropping of maize. High total crude protein yield was obtained in combination with lablab (0.94 t/ha) compared to maize pure cropping (0.60 /t/ha). The forage legumes crude protein yield, varied significantly (p. less than 0.05) among treatments. From the legumes were under sown in maize the crude protein yield was higher from lablab (0.30 t/ha) compared to cowpea (0.19/t/ha). Under sowing forage legumes in maize is recommendable for high relative yield total, high total biomass yield and increased nutrient yield, particularly that of crude protein. Therefore, farmers are recommended to under sown lablab and/or vetch forage legumes in maize to enhance dry season feed availability in the Baresa watershed.