Table_2_Optimizing forage harvest and the nutritive value of Italian ryegrass-based mixed forage cropping under northwestern Himalayan conditions.docx

The scarcity of high-quality forage has a significant influence on the productivity and profitability of livestock. Addressing this concern, an investigation was undertaken to assess the effects of distinct Italian ryegrass genotypes, namely, Punjab ryegrass-1, Kashmir collection, and Makhan grass, in conjunction with varying seeding ratios of Italian ryegrass to Egyptian clover. The seeding ratios considered were 100:0 (Italian ryegrass to Egyptian clover), 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75. All possible combinations of Italian ryegrass and Egyptian clover with seeding ratios were set up in a randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. Co-cultivating Italian ryegrass and Egyptian clover at a 75:25 seeding ratio yields the best yield benefit, as determined by the land equivalent ratio. It is noteworthy that in this configuration, real yield loss is higher for Egyptian clover and for Italian ryegrass when the seeding ratio is 25:75. The higher competitiveness of Italian ryegrass in comparison to Egyptian clover is highlighted by the competitive ratio. Notably, the nutritive parameter, crude protein yield, was significantly higher in the Makhan grass-based 50:50 and 75:25 seeding ratio. Results of the study ascertained the compatibility of grass-legume co-cultivation with significantly higher quantity and quality forage harvested under mixed cropping systems whereas Makhan grass as the superior and dominant genotype in comparison to Kashmir collection. The outcomes of this study revealed that the 100:0 seeding ratio, coupled with the Makhan grass genotype, exhibited superior performance in terms of cumulative forage harvest, dry matter accumulation, net returns, and benefit–cost ratio.

优质饲草匮乏对家畜生产性能与养殖经济效益具有显著影响。针对这一问题，本研究开展试验以评估不同多花黑麦草（Italian ryegrass）基因型——即旁遮普黑麦草-1、克什米尔种质与马汗草——分别配合不同多花黑麦草与埃及车轴草（Egyptian clover）混播比例的效应。试验设置的混播比例包括100:0（多花黑麦草:埃及车轴草）、75:25、50:50及25:75，所有基因型与混播比例的组合均采用随机完全区组设计，并设置三次重复。以土地当量比（land equivalent ratio）为评价指标，75:25混播比例下的多花黑麦草与埃及车轴草混播组合可获得最优产量效益。值得注意的是，该比例配置下埃及车轴草的实际产量损失更高；而当混播比例为25:75时，多花黑麦草的实际产量损失亦显著升高。竞争比率（competitive ratio）指标进一步表明，多花黑麦草相较于埃及车轴草具有更强的种间竞争优势。尤为关键的是，以马汗草为供试基因型的50:50与75:25混播组合，其粗蛋白产量（crude protein yield）这一核心营养指标显著更高。本研究结果证实，禾本科-豆科作物混播体系具有良好的种间相容性，可显著提升饲草总产量与品质，且马汗草相较于克什米尔种质为更优异、更具主导性的供试基因型。此外，本研究结果表明，采用100:0单播比例配合马汗草基因型的处理，在累计饲草收获量、干物质积累量、净收益及效益成本比（benefit–cost ratio）方面均表现最优。