Evaluation of forage yield and competitive indices of vetch and barley intercropping under the influence of Azetobarvar-1 biofertilizer and superabsorbent

Due to the expansion of monoculture systems and the indiscriminate application of chemical fertilizers for mass production, this process reduces biodiversity and environmental pollution. On the other hand, due to the important role of vetch and barley in feeding livestock and the lack of fodder due to the monoculture system in the rainfed areas, the yield of fodder has decreased due to the lack of moisture and the inactivity of soil microorganisms. Therefore, the present research was conducted to investigating the application of biofertilizer Azotobarvar-1 and superabsorbent material in mixed cultivation of vetch and barley as a strategy to increase fodder yield. This experiment was conducted in order to investigate the yield of dry fodder and the competitive indicators of vetch and barley mixed crop in rainfed conditions under the influence of Azotobarvar-1 fertilizer and superabsorbent material during the cropping years of 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture of Lorestan University. It was carried out factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor, mixed cultivation in 5 levels including: V1= 100% vetch, V2= 100% barley, V3= 75% vetch + 25% barley, V4= 50% vetch + 50% barley and V5= 25% vetch + 75% barley by replacement method and the second factor of coexistence of Azotobarvar-1 and superabsorbent material at 4 levels including: F1= Azotobarvar-1, F2= Superabsorbent, F3= Azotobarvar-1 + Superabsorbent and F4= control treatments. In order to farm preparing, first plowing was done with a reversible plow in the fall, then two vertical discs were placed on the ground to level and prepare the seed bed. Cultivation lines were created by plowing in the experimental field. Each plot was 4 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. Each plot has 6 planting lines with 25cm and 1m for row to row and plot to plot respectively. Distance between blocks was 3m. Azotobarvar-1 biofertilizer (seeded and foliar application) was applied by 100g.ha-1 and superabsorbent substance at the rate of 200g.ha-1. The results showed that in mixed cultivation, the highest total dry fodder yield was 3799 kg.ha-1 from the combination of 50% vetch + 50% barley, the highest ratio of total land equality (2.913), the highest total relative yield (1.457) and the highest relative coefficient of total density (7.577) from the combination of 50% vetch + 50% barley × Azotobarvar-1 material + superabsorbent was observed in the second year. On the other hand, in the first year, the highest ratio of total competition (4.297) was founded in combination of 25% vetch + 75% barley × Azotobarvar-1 + superabsorbent treatment and the greatest actual decrease total yield (4.990) was recorded in 75% vetch + 25% barley × The superabsorbent treatment. In this experiment, the increase in fodder production was affected by the contribution of the leguminous component (vetch) and management factors (biofertilizer Azotobarvar-1 and superabsorbent material) in mixed cultivation, so that the combination of the mixed cropping system with the two mentioned factors can able to improve the forage yield. Quantitative and competitive indicators were stabilized in line with agricultural goals. On the other hand, Azotobarvar -1 biofertilizer with the lowest amount and volume (100 gr.ha-1) and the lowest cost for farmers is economical and can be a suitable alternative to nitrogen chemical fertilizer and the application of superabsorbent material can be applied in drylands to storage of rainwater be useful.