Effect of Intercropping Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) with Teosinte (Zea mexicana Schrad ) on Forage Yield Productivity and Its Quality

TWO FIELD experiments were carried out at Giza Agricultural Research Station (30° 02’ N latitude and 31° 13’ E longitude, altitude 22.50m above sea level), Egypt, during 2017 and 2018 seasons to investigate the effect of three intercropping patterns of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) with teosinte (Zea mexicana Schrad ) (1- On the other side of teosinte ridges, 1:1 and 2:2 in alternating ridges) and three seeding rates, (50%+50%, 75%+50% and 50% +75%) teosinte/cowpea of its pure stand on forage yield and its quality. A split plot design with three replicates was used. The results could be summarized as follows: - Intercropping pattern of 2:2 recorded the highest values for total fresh and dry forage yields whereas cowpea intercropped on the other side gave the lowest values in both seasons. Seeding rate of 75%+50% teosinte/cowpea recorded the highest values for total fresh and dry forage yields in both seasons. Intercropping pattern 2:2 with 75% teosinte+50% cowpea gave the highest value of totally fresh and dry yields. Whereas, planting cowpea on the other side with 50% seeding rates of both crops, gave the lowest values in both seasons.- Crude protein and digestible protein percentages, crude protein and digestible protein yields fed^-1 were increased by different intercropping patterns. Seeding rates and the interaction between them compared with teosinte pure stand in both seasons, whereas fiber percentage behaved opposite trend in both season. - Land equivalent ratio (LER) and relative crowding coefficient recorded the highest values by the interaction between 2:2 ridges and 75% teosinte+50% cowpea seeding rates of its pure stands in both seasons. Teosinte was dominant crop in 6 out of 9 treatments in both seasons. - It could be concluded that 15kg teosinte+10kg cowpea and 2:2 intercropping pattern in alternate to obtain the highest mixture yield and quality.