Herbage accumulation and nutritive value of mixtures of desho grass ( Pennisetum glaucifolium ) and vicia spp. in Southern Ethiopia

Grass and legume mixtures work well, but there are no data on the mixed planting of desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) Vicia species. A study was conducted to investigate whether forage dry matter yield (DMY) quality can be improved by growing species in with grass. The experimental layout followed a randomized complete block design four replications, where treatments consisted pure stands three dasycarpa, V. villosa, sativa, mixture each results showed positive effect intercropping leading greater herbage accumulation than expected from sown sole cropping. Growing resulted higher yields land equivalent ratio (LER), as well increased crude protein (CP) content digestibility compared stand Intercropping smooth vetch, hairy common vetch gave 63, 67, 48% more DMY grass, respectively. When intercropped LER 9, 55, 58% for respectively, over Therefore, it concluded that is suitable practice improve DM production quality, farmers use efficiently