Determination of Seeding Rates of Pea Intercrops with Oat, Barley and Triticale

Intercrop in the world and in our country is becoming wide spread due to the reduced costs and the availability of green forage during the grazing season. Annual legume forage plants such as peas (Pisum sativum L.) were seeded with mild climate grains such as oats (Hordeum vulgare L.), barley (Avena sativa L.) and triticale (xTriticosecale wittmack) alone and in ratios of 25% grain:75% peas, 50% grain:50% peas and 75% grain:25% peas. The trial determined botanic composition, fresh and hay yield, dry matter ratio, NDF, ADF, ADL, crude protein and crude ash ratios. Botanic composition was high in the intercrop of legume with oats, while the ratio with wheat was lower than for oats. Weed ratios were high in the two intercrops with 50% and 75% oats. The highest grass and hay yields were obtained for the 50% barley:50% pea intercrops (1713,5 kg/da), while the intercrops of barley and triticale alone, barley:peas and triticale:peas with 50:50% and 75:25% ratios had similar yields. The dry matter ratio was highest for triticale alone and for 75% triticale:25% peas intercrop, while the lowest dry matter ratio was determined for peas alone. The NDF was low for peas planted alone and for 25% oats:75% peas and was similar for other applications. The crude protein ratio was highest for peas planted alone and lowest for single plantings of barley and triticale. Increasing the legume ratio in the mixtures of barley and triticale caused an increase in the crude protein ratio. The ADF, ADL and crude ash ratios were similar for all applications. In conclusion, binary combinations of barley and triticale intercropped with peas in 50:50% ratio is recommended in terms of yield and quality.