Fodder Quality of Peanut and Borage Improved by Exogenous Application of Fertilizers in the Intercropping System

This study aimed to investigate the effects of organic and chemical fertilizers on the forage quality and quantity of borage (Borago officinalis L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in an intercropping system. This experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of the Kurdistan University, during ۲۰۲۱ and ۲۰۲۲. The treatments included fertilizer (control, organic, and chemical) and cropping patterns (sole cropping of borage, sole cropping of peanut, ۵۰%, and ۱۰۰% additive intercropping). The results indicated that intercropping enhanced the quality traits of borage forage. The fertilization treatments improved the yield and qualitative traits of peanut fodder. Organic fertilizer increased crude protein in borage and peanut fodder by ۲۹ and ۲۰.۴%, respectively, compared to the control. Intercropping increased the protein yield of borage by ۱۶.۶% compared to sole cropping. The Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), dry matter digestibility, and ash content in borage fodder in the ۱۰۰% intercropping with organic fertilizer increased by ۴۶, ۴۶, ۳۰, and ۵۸.۴%, respectively, compared to sole cropping without fertilizer. Overall, this study suggests that, with appropriate agricultural management in the additive intercropping systems, there is potential to enhance the quality of borage and peanut fodder for livestock feeding.

کلیدواژه ها:

ash ، Cell wall ، Fodder digestibility ، Metabolizable energy ، Sustainable agriculture