Intercropping Marandu Grass with Desmodium Boosts Cattle Weight by 60%
By
littlexsparkee
Baker's choice. Dense with flavour, light on filler.
Summary
A four-year study found that intercropping marandu grass with the forage legume Desmodium ovalifolium (desmodium) increases grazing cattle weight by 60% compared to pastures without nitrogen fertilization. The legume's impact was equivalent to an annual application of 150 kilos of nitrogen fertilizer per hectare, as explained by researcher Robert Boddey. Published in Grass & Forage Science, the study highlights the benefits of this intercropping method for beef production and soil nitrogen enrichment.
Key quotes
· 2 pulled"The introduction of the legume had the same impact of an annual application of 150 kilos of nitrogen fertilizer per hectare in the pasture." - Robert Boddey
"Intercropping marandu grass with desmodium increases animal weight and provides the soil with nitrogen."
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