Effects of mixture rates on forage yield and quality of mixtures of common vetch combined with oat, barley and wheat under a winter intercropping system of southern Marmara Region

Abstract

The current research was conducted to evaluate the forage yield and quality of stands of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) in various combinations with annual cereals such as oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Mixture rates were formulated using three combinations of common vetch-cereal (75:25, 50:50 and 25:75) under rain fed conditions in the southern Marmara Region, Turkey, during the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 growing seasons. The field trials were arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. The averages of the two-year findings indicated that the highest dry matter was determined at pure oat stands, followed by common vetch-oat mixtures at ratios of 50:50 and 75:25. The highest crude protein yield was obtained from pure common vetch and common vetch-oat (75:25) stands. A common vetch-oat mixture at 75:25 can be recommended for experimental and similar ecologies because of its higher dry matter and crude protein yields.