Evaluation of growth and chemical composition of forage consortia of grasses with tree species

Integration systems have benefits in agricultural production due to the diversification of products generated through the use of annual species with high productive potential when they are intercropped with perennial species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth, production and chemical composition of forage plants. Six forage consortia were evaluated in a randomized block design with 4 replications: Gliricidia + Corn, Gliricidia + Sorghum, Pornunça + Sorghum, Pornunça + Corn, Sabiá + Sorghum, Sabiá + Corn. The consortia with Gliricidia presented a higher (p < 0.01) % of leaves and leaf/stem ratio, the Pornunça + Corn consortium presented the largest (p < 0.01) stem diameter, largest (p < 0.01) green forage mass and dry forage mass. The Sabiá + Corn consortium presented the highest (p < 0.01) dry matter content and percentage of ether extract. The Sabiá + Sorghum consortium presented the highest (p < 0.01) values ​​of Acid Detergent Fiber and Neutral Detergent Fiber. The Sabiá + Sorghum consortium presented the highest (p < 0.01) height, production of green forage mass and dry forage mass. The results can be useful to improve the biomass production of the intercropped systems.