Effects of intercropping desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) with vetch (Vicia villosa) on soil fertility, forage accumulation, and nutritional composition

Enhancing feed resource availability and nutritional qualities with healthful soil management practices is a decisive intervention for future livestock husbandry in developing countries. However, there is a need for sound recommendations on agronomic practices and fertilization due to local differen...

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Autores principales: Berhanu, M., Salo, S., Bezabih, Melkamu, Guyo, M.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Wiley 2026
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179731
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author Berhanu, M.
Salo, S.
Bezabih, Melkamu
Guyo, M.
author_browse Berhanu, M.
Bezabih, Melkamu
Guyo, M.
Salo, S.
author_facet Berhanu, M.
Salo, S.
Bezabih, Melkamu
Guyo, M.
author_sort Berhanu, M.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Enhancing feed resource availability and nutritional qualities with healthful soil management practices is a decisive intervention for future livestock husbandry in developing countries. However, there is a need for sound recommendations on agronomic practices and fertilization due to local differences in the climate and soil profiles. Therefore, this study evaluated the intercropping effects of desho grass (<i>Pennisetum glaucifolium</i>) with vetch (<i>Vicia villosa</i>) variety of <i>Var-Lalisa</i> on soil fertility, forage accumulation (FA), and nutritional compositions among seeding rates across harvest days. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design for intercropping of the desho grass with vetch at the seeding rates of 12 kg/ha (T1), 9 kg/ha (T2), 6 kg/ha (T3), 0 kg/ha or sole desho grass (T4), and sole vetch (30 kg/ha) (T5) with three replications. Data on soil profile in depths, plant height, biological compatibility and yield advantage, FA by forage type, and chemical compositions were studied across harvesting. The intercropping effect was substantially greater (p < 0.05) on plant height and FA than sole sown desho grass at all harvests. Moreover, T1 had the highest total forage accumulation (TFA), crude protein (CP), and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD). However, lower CP and IVOMD were obtained in T4 across the harvests. The sole desho grass yields significantly (p < 0.05) higher ash, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin contents. Therefore, the intercropping effect of T1 at higher sowing rates of vetch can maximize the TFA and soil nutrient utilization efficiency, and this can be suggested for further accession study in a range of agroecologies for adoption.
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spelling CGSpace1797312026-01-16T11:10:47Z Effects of intercropping desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) with vetch (Vicia villosa) on soil fertility, forage accumulation, and nutritional composition Berhanu, M. Salo, S. Bezabih, Melkamu Guyo, M. forage Enhancing feed resource availability and nutritional qualities with healthful soil management practices is a decisive intervention for future livestock husbandry in developing countries. However, there is a need for sound recommendations on agronomic practices and fertilization due to local differences in the climate and soil profiles. Therefore, this study evaluated the intercropping effects of desho grass (<i>Pennisetum glaucifolium</i>) with vetch (<i>Vicia villosa</i>) variety of <i>Var-Lalisa</i> on soil fertility, forage accumulation (FA), and nutritional compositions among seeding rates across harvest days. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design for intercropping of the desho grass with vetch at the seeding rates of 12 kg/ha (T1), 9 kg/ha (T2), 6 kg/ha (T3), 0 kg/ha or sole desho grass (T4), and sole vetch (30 kg/ha) (T5) with three replications. Data on soil profile in depths, plant height, biological compatibility and yield advantage, FA by forage type, and chemical compositions were studied across harvesting. The intercropping effect was substantially greater (p < 0.05) on plant height and FA than sole sown desho grass at all harvests. Moreover, T1 had the highest total forage accumulation (TFA), crude protein (CP), and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD). However, lower CP and IVOMD were obtained in T4 across the harvests. The sole desho grass yields significantly (p < 0.05) higher ash, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin contents. Therefore, the intercropping effect of T1 at higher sowing rates of vetch can maximize the TFA and soil nutrient utilization efficiency, and this can be suggested for further accession study in a range of agroecologies for adoption. 2026-03-01 2026-01-13T08:01:24Z 2026-01-13T08:01:24Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179731 en Open Access Wiley Berhanu, M., Salo, S., Bezabih, M. and Guyo, M. 2026. Effects of intercropping desho grass (<i>Pennisetum glaucifolium</i>) with vetch (<i>Vicia villosa</i>) on soil fertility, forage accumulation, and nutritional composition. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment 9 (1): e70286.
spellingShingle forage
Berhanu, M.
Salo, S.
Bezabih, Melkamu
Guyo, M.
Effects of intercropping desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) with vetch (Vicia villosa) on soil fertility, forage accumulation, and nutritional composition
title Effects of intercropping desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) with vetch (Vicia villosa) on soil fertility, forage accumulation, and nutritional composition
title_full Effects of intercropping desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) with vetch (Vicia villosa) on soil fertility, forage accumulation, and nutritional composition
title_fullStr Effects of intercropping desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) with vetch (Vicia villosa) on soil fertility, forage accumulation, and nutritional composition
title_full_unstemmed Effects of intercropping desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) with vetch (Vicia villosa) on soil fertility, forage accumulation, and nutritional composition
title_short Effects of intercropping desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) with vetch (Vicia villosa) on soil fertility, forage accumulation, and nutritional composition
title_sort effects of intercropping desho grass pennisetum glaucifolium with vetch vicia villosa on soil fertility forage accumulation and nutritional composition
topic forage
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179731
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