Influence of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Phosphorus Fertilization on Forage Yield, and Nutritional Quality of Intercropped Chicory (Cichorium intybus) and Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University

2 Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University o

10.22034/saps.2024.61717.3223

Abstract

Background and Objectives: This study investigated the quantitative and qualitative traites of chicory and Egyptian clover, grown in Intercropping with mycorrhizal biofertilizer and triple superphosphate fertilizer.
 
Materials and Methods: A two-year field experiment was conducted. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications and a factorial arrangement of treatments. Fertilizer treatments included: no fertilizer (F0), 75 kg/ha triple superphosphate (F75), 150 kg/ha triple superphosphate (F150), mycorrhizal fungal (M), and mycorrhizal fungal + 75 kg/ha triple superphosphate (MP). Cropping systems included: pure chicory (C), pure Egyptian clover (B), intercropping with one row of clover replacing one row of chicory (C1B1), two rows of chicory replacing one row of clover (C2B1), and two rows of clover replacing one row of chicory (C1B2).
 
Results:The intercropping of two rows of clover and one row of chicory (C1B2) with mycorrhizal fertilizer treatment + 75 kg ha-1 of triple superphosphate (MP) compared to pure chicory with mycorrhizal  + 75 kg ha-1 triple superphosphate fertilizer (MP ) causing a 55.6% increase in crude protein, a 10.7% increase in digestibility, a 97.6% increase in soluble carbohydrates, a 29.6% decrease in acid detergent fiber and a 45.6% decrease in neutral fiber, and an improvement in phosphorus and potassium of chicory fodder. The quality characteristics of clover fodder in this treatment combination had the lowest drop compared to pure clover.
 
Conclusion: The combination of C1B2 cropping system treatment with MP fertilizer treatment emerged as the most balanced and cost-effective approach, aligning with the principles of sustainable agriculture.
 
 
 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production
Volume 35, Issue 3
2025
Pages 235-251

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