Effect of Intercropping Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) with Teosinte (Zea mexicana Schrad) on Forage Yield Productivity and Its Quality

TWO FIELD experiments were carried out at Giza Agricultural Research Station (30 degrees 02' N latitude and 31 degrees 13' E longitude, altitude 22.50m above sea level), Egypt, during 2017 and 2018 seasons to investigate the effect of three intercropping patterns of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) with teosinte (Zea mexicana Schrad ) (1- On the other side of teosinte ridges, 1:1 and 2:2 in alternating ridges) and three seeding rates, (50%+50%, 75%+50% and 50% +75%) teosinte/cowpea of its pure stand on forage yield and its quality. A split plot design with three replicates was used. The results could be summarized as follows:- Intercropping pattern of 2:2 recorded the highest values for total fresh and dry forage yields whereas cowpea intercropped on the other side gave the lowest values in both seasons. Seeding rate of 75%+50% teosinte/cowpea recorded the highest values for total fresh and dry forage yields in both seasons. Intercropping pattern 2:2 with 75% teosinte+50% cowpea gave the highest value of totally fresh and dry yields. Whereas, planting cowpea on the other side with 50% seeding rates of both crops, gave the lowest values in both seasons. Crude protein and digestible protein percentages, crude protein and digestible protein yields fed(-1) were increased by different intercropping patterns. Seeding rates and the interaction between them compared with teosinte pure stand in both seasons, whereas fiber percentage behaved opposite trend in both season. Land equivalent ratio (LER) and relative crowding coefficient recorded the highest values by the interaction between 2:2 ridges and 75% teosinte+50% cowpea seeding rates of its pure stands in both seasons. Teosinte was dominant crop in 6 out of 9 treatments in both seasons. It could be concluded that 15kg teosinte+10kg cowpea and 2:2 intercropping pattern in alternate to obtain the highest mixture yield and quality.