Silage of maize intercropped with grass and pigeonpea subjected to N rates and pasture development in the offseason

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen topdressing rates applied to an intercrop of maize (M) with paiaguás grass (G) and pigeonpea (P) on silage production and on the pasture development in the offseason. Treatments consisted of two simultaneous intercropping systems (M + G; and M + G + P) and four N topdressing rates (0, 80, 160, and 240 kg ha^?1). The introduction of pigeonpea into the system and the increasing N rates provided gains in yield and silage quality. Pigeonpea responded to nitrogen fertilization by having good regrowth and good dry matter yields in the intercrop. For silage making, the N rates of 240 kg ha^?1 N for M+G and 120 kg ha^?1 for M+G+P can be recommended. Nitrogen rates promote an increase in the dry matter yield of the grass and of pigeonpea, resulting in improvements in the pasture during the offseason.