The Biomass Yield, Chemical Composition and Feeding Value for Cattle of Cassava (Maniohot esculenta) and Legume (Phaseolus calcaratus) Under Monoculture and Intercropping Systems

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.