Effect of intercropping cereal crops with forage legumes and source of nutrients on cereal grain yield and fodder dry matter yields

The study investigated the effect of intercropping cereals (maize, sorghum and wheat) with forage legumes (lablab and clover), planting methods and manure application on cereal grain and fodder dry matter yield and fodder nutritive value. Data collected over a period of three years, indicated that intercropping significantly (P_0.05) by planting method. However, intercropping forage legumes with cereals generally resulted in fodder with higher fodder CP concentration, lower NDF and higher dry matter degradability than fodder from sole cereals. Manure application into cereal + forage legume cropping systems significantly (P<0.05) yielded higher grain and fodder DM (range: 2.9-3.6 t ha-' and 8.2-9.3 t ha-', respectively) than inorganic fertiliser (3.2 and 8.8 t ha''). These yields were significantly (P