Title : Microelement profile of soybean forage managed by intercropping and bio-fertilizer use
Abstract:
One of the foremost advantages of soybean forage production is flexibility of harvest date due to retention of high nutritional quality of plant over longer period. This characteristic is particularly desirable in intercropping systems, where harvesting time must take in account the yield and quality of multiple crops. As deficiencies in essential mineral elements can affect normal physiological functions in animals, and so impair forage utilization, objective of this study was to investigate the microelements accumulation in different parts (vegetative and reproductive) of the soybean plant, intercropped with common millet, simultaneously identifying the most appropriate sustainable agricultural practice that enhance accumulation of beneficial elements in biomass. The experiment encompassed three intercrop combinations: AR - alternating rows, AS1 - alternating strips consisted of two rows of soybean and two rows of millet, AS2 - alternating strips consisted of two rows of soybean and four rows of millet, as well as soybean mono-crop, as control. The effect of bio-fertilizer Coveron (BF) was also examined. In general, soybean biomass is deficient in micro-elements, particularly Zn and Cu, necessary to meet feed requirements. AS1 combination proved to be perspective for increasing accumulation of B and Zn in vegetative part of biomass, especially in combination with BF. Additionally, AS1 combination, in general, resulted in the greatest accumulation of Cr and Mn in reproductive part, i.e. pods, thus complementing nutritional value of soybean. On the other side, AR combination without BF could be recommended when higher concentration of Cr, Cu and Zn in vegetative part of soybean biomass is needed, whereas the increased Cr, Mn, Co and Ni concentration in reproductive part was present, too. Although integration of intercropping and BF influenced significant changes in accumulation of Cr in both parts of soybean, as well as Cu and Zn in vegetative and Mn and Co in reproductive part, independent effect of BF was not observed. According to the results, the inclusion of common millet in intercropping with soybean appears to enhance microelements concentration in soybean forage, particularly when implemented in a 1:1 ratio. In contrast, the effect of bio-fertilizer was relatively limited.
