Fermentation quality and nutritive value of strip intercropping of sweet sorghum and mung bean grown with different sowing patterns

This study aimed to investigate the silage fermentation quality and nutrient content of the forages obtained from mixtures (M) of sweet sorghum and mung bean grown in different sowing patterns (SP) compared to monoculture (pure) systems. In the present study, different sowing patterns (conventional/75 cm row spacing, narrow/55 cm row spacing, and twin/55 + 20 cm row spacing) were used as factors. Sweet sorghum was sown at a density of 14 plants m ^− 2 (pure SS14), and mung bean was sown at densities of 14, 21, 28 plants m ^− 2 (pure MB14, pure MB21, and pure MB28). Mixtures of these crops were also utilized (Mix 14 + 14, Mix 14 + 21, and Mix 14 + 28). Forages obtained from sweet sorghum and mung bean grown in different sowing patterns and mixtures were chopped and ensiled in laboratory-type silos using a vacuum device. After 90 days, the silages were opened, and nutrient content along with silage fermentation quality parameters were examined. The impact of SP×M interactions was found to be significant on all examined characteristics except for the condensed tannin feature. All intercropping systems in the present study improved silage fermentation quality compared to pure MB systems in all sowing patterns. In addition, they enhanced the nutrient content of silages compared to pure SS14. Upon a comprehensive evaluation of all the results obtained from present study, the treatment of Mix 14 + 14 is recommended, especially in conventional and narrow sowing patterns.