investigation of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of green pea (lathyrus sativus l.) and nutrifed millet (pennisetum sp.) forage in different cultivation patterns

one of the most effective ways to reach yield stability with low input is increasing diversity through utilizing intercrops in agro-ecosystems. a field experiment based on a randomized complete block design with six treatments and three replications and two crops, green pea and nutrifed millet, was carried out at research farm of agriculture and natural resources of kerman during growing season 2011-2012. the sole cultivation of green pea and millet, 25+75, 50+50, 75+50% of substitutional intercrops and mixed cultivation (50:50) of seeds on each row constituted the experimental treatments. results showed that all the measured traits including dry forage yield, land equivalent ratio, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, ash and crude protein were significantly affected by the experimental treatments. the highest dry forage yield was recorded for sole millet, 25% green pea+ 75% millet and 50+ 50 % treatment without significant difference other among them. the difference between sole crop of green pea with 75% green pea+ 25% millet was not significant for crude protein. increasing green pea percentage in intercrop resulted in neutral detergent fiber reduction. the highest value of ler obtained from25% green pea+ 75% millet that had no significant difference with that of 50% green pea+ 50% millet. based on the results of this experiment it could be concluded that the intercrop of 50% green pea+ 50% millet resulted in increase in the quality and quantity of forage yield.