Title of article :
The Biomass Yield, Chemical Composition and Feeding Value for Cattle of Cassava (Maniohot esculenta) and Legume (Phaseolus calcaratus) Under Monoculture and Intercropping Systems
Author/Authors :
Manh Thang, Chu National Institute of Animal Science, Hanoi, Vietnam , Wiktorsson, Hans Department of Animal Nutrition and Management - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden , Dinh Phung, Le Faculty of Animal Sciences - Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, Vietnam
Abstract :
The aim of this study was to investigate (i) the total biomass yield (foliage and root), and chemical composition
of cassava and a legume (Phaseolus calcaratus) under different intercropping systems and harvesting times, and (ii) the
feeding value of the mixture of cassava and legume foliage as feed for growing cattle. In experiment 1, forty plots (5.4
x 6.0m) were allocated in a split plot design with four blocks. The main plot treatments were harvesting of legume
and cassava foliage at 45 days cutting intervals or at the end when the cassava was harvested for roots. Each main
plot was split into five sub-plots for the method of planting the cassava and the legume: CL0 (cassava monoculture),
C0L (legume monoculture); C1L1 (one row of cassava intercropped with one row of legume), C2L1 (two rows of
cassava intercropped with one row of legume), C1L2 (one row of cassava intercropped with two rows of legume). In
experiment 2, the in sacco dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) degradation of the mixture of cassava and legume feed
was determined in nylon bags using three rumen fistulated cattle. The results showed that the total dry foliage yield was
around 8.84-9.09 tones ha-1 and CP yield of 1.82-1.98 tones ha-1 of different intercropping systems between cassava
and Phaseolus calcaratus legume. There was slightly increased dry biomass foliage yield of the intercropping system
compared to the monoculture of cassava but significant higher than the value of Phaseolus calcaratus legume in the
monoculture. The in sacco DM, CP degradation of the feed mixture of cassava and legume foliage were high. After 48h
incubation the degradation of the mixture of cassava and legumes feed was 73% of DM and 83% of CP. It is concluded
that intercropping between cassava and Phaseolus calcaratus legume is a solution to increase both quality and quantity
of the biomass, thus contribute to improved cattle production.
Keywords :
Cassava , Monoculture , Intercropping , Phaseolus calcaratus legume , Feeding value , Cattle
Journal title :
Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences
