Effect of Barley Companion Crop Seeding Rate as Companion Crop and Weed Management on Forage Yield and Quality and Alfalfa Establishment

In order to study the effects of barley as companion crop on forage yield and quality and alfalfa establishment, an experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete blocks design with 4 replications at research fields of Plant Protection Research Institute, Karaj, Iran, in 2013- 2014. Treatments comprised of 1- alfalfa+ 30 kg barley, 2- alfalfa+ 60 kg barley, 3- alfalfa+ 90 kg barley, 4- alfalfa+ 120 kg of barley, 5- alfalfa+ 150 kg barley, 6- sole alfalfa+ herbicide (gallant supper herbicide for narrow-leaf weeds and 2, 4-DB herbicide for broadleaf weeds based on the recommended concentrations) and 7- sole alfalfa (control). Measured traits in this experiment included quality traits of forage (cut 1), alfalfa density (cut 1 and 4), dry matter yield and weed biomass (if any) in second, third and fourth cuts. Results showed that in cut 1, treatments containing barley companion crop in comparison with alfalfa + herbicide and control, had more forage yield and quality, weed control and alfalfa plants density. The highest of forage dry matter yield in the first year was observed in 150 kg/ha barley seeding rate (19413.5 kg/ha) that did not had significant differences with 60 kg/ha barley (17958.8 kg/ha). Also, between treatments containing barley as companion crop in cut 1 of the first year, the 60 kg/ha of barley companion crop has highest DMD (42.64 percent), CP (8.44 percent) and lowest ADF (40.57 %) and NDF (60.27). Alfalfa plants density in the end of first year was highest in 60 kg/ha of barley companion crop. Based on the obtained results, treatment with 60 kg/ha barley companion crop in other to a maximum production of forage dry matter, quality traits, weed control and alfalfa plant density, was superior treatment.
In order to study the effects of barley as companion crop on forage yield and quality and alfalfa establishment, an experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete blocks design with 4 replications at research fields of Plant Protection Research Institute, Karaj, Iran, in 2013- 2014. Treatments comprised of 1- alfalfa+ 30 kg barley, 2- alfalfa+ 60 kg barley, 3- alfalfa+ 90 kg barley, 4- alfalfa+ 120 kg of barley, 5- alfalfa+ 150 kg barley, 6- sole alfalfa+ herbicide (gallant supper herbicide for narrow-leaf weeds and 2, 4-DB herbicide for broadleaf weeds based on the recommended concentrations) and 7- sole alfalfa (control). Measured traits in this experiment included quality traits of forage (cut 1), alfalfa density (cut 1 and 4), dry matter yield and weed biomass (if any) in second, third and fourth cuts. Results showed that in cut 1, treatments containing barley companion crop in comparison with alfalfa + herbicide and control, had more forage yield and quality, weed control and alfalfa plants density. The highest of forage dry matter yield in the first year was observed in 150 kg/ha barley seeding rate (19413.5 kg/ha) that did not had significant differences with 60 kg/ha barley (17958.8 kg/ha). Also, between treatments containing barley as companion crop in cut 1 of the first year, the 60 kg/ha of barley companion crop has highest DMD (42.64 percent), CP (8.44 percent) and lowest ADF (40.57 %) and NDF (60.27). Alfalfa plants density in the end of first year was highest in 60 kg/ha of barley companion crop. Based on the obtained results, treatment with 60 kg/ha barley companion crop in other to a maximum production of forage dry matter, quality traits, weed control and alfalfa plant density, was superior treatment.