Forage yield and nutritive value of intensive silvopasture systems under cut and carry scheme in humid tropics of Kerala, India

Abstract

Intensive silvopasture systems with high yielding grass and high density trees/shrubs make a valuable contribution to quality forage production for small holder dairy farms in the humid tropics of India, but knowledge on the proper choice of species and systems for yield and quality optimization is limited. We, therefore, conducted a two year field study involving nine three – tier silvopasture models (tree + grass + herbaceous/shrub legume) with hybrid napier (HN) grass (Pennisetum typhoides x P. purpureum), three fodder trees [Leucaena leucocephala; Calliandra calothyrsus; and Morus indica], and three legumes [Stylosanthes hamata, Vigna unguiculata and Desmanthus virgatus]; one two –tier system with grass + trees (HN + mulberry + calliandra); and HN monoculture as control, to develop a suitable intensive silvopasture model for humid tropics. Grass, trees and legumes were planted in 3:1:1 ratio area wise for 3-tier and 3: 2 ratio for 2-tier grass-tree systems. Trees were planted at 60 x 60 cm spacing, pruned at 1m height at 3 months interval. Results after two years revealed the highest dry matter (31.49 Mg ha^-1) and crude protein yield (4.75 Mg ha^-1) from two- tier HN+ trees (mulberry + calliandra @ total 11,111 trees ha^-1 ) system, which is a better option for producing quality forage from a small area in humid tropical small holder stall –fed dairy farms. The dry matter yield was less for 3- tier systems as compared to HN monoculture, but the protein yield was substantially high and improved the quality of forage. HN+ calliandra/mulberry + desmanthus/stylosanthes proved to be promising 3-tier models, with the highest forage and crude protein yield from HN+ calliandra + desmanthus system.