Evaluation of chemical and organic-bio-fertilizer treatments on yield and forage quality of triticale and Maragheh Smoth vetch under sole and intercropping systems in rainfed condition

A mixed cropping system is an agronomic method in which different species/cultivars are sown in a unique farm in order to gain diversity in the agri-ecosystem, efficient control of pests and diseases as well increase in the yield quantity or quality. This study was conducted to determine the best cultivation pattern of vetch (Vicia dasycarpa L) mixed with triticale (X Triticosecale wittmack) under different farming systems during 2018 at Dryland Agricultural Research Institute (DARI), Iran. The experimental was laid in RCDB with different levels of sole or mixed cropping the plants in three replications with two chemical and biological fertilizing systems. Treatments were at 8 levels including sole cropping of vetch and triticale and intercropping ratios of vetch: triticale 50:50(IP1), 75:25 (IP2), 25:75 (IP3), 20:100 (IP4), 40:100 (IP5) and 60:100 (IP6). The results showed that the yield of IP1 treatment was the highest compared with the other ratios under both fertilizing systems. Increasing the proportion of vetch in mixture intercrops improved forage quality and among mixed treatments, two mixing patterns including 50%v+ 50%t and 75%v + 25%t had the highest quantity and quality of the forage. Therefore, it can be concluded that the mixing of vetch with triticale at 50%v: 50%t ratio could be regarded as one of the most efficient and sustainable cropping systems. Furthermore, the study showed organic application had a high effect on the quality and quantity of forage production and has the potential to improve performance with high land-use efficiency in cold-dryland area condition of Iran.