Enhancing the contribution of maize to food and fodder security in smallholder dairy

production systems

1Kabirizi, J.; 2Nampijja, Z. and 1Kigongo, J.1National Livestock Resources Research Institute,

Uganda; 2Makerere University, Uganda

Introduction

Inadequate year-round feed supply is a major challenge in smallholder dairy (SHD) systems in Uganda,

Napier grass productivity, a major feed resource in SHD systems is constrained by Napier stunt disease resulting into a reduction in fodder yield of >40%.

Maize is a major cereal and cash crop in SH systems.

Introduction (cont.)

Maize stover could be an additional feed resource base in SHD systems.

The low CP content (<5%) of maize stover is a serious constraint to livestock nutrition (Mwebaze, 1996).

Integration of forage legumes into maize cropping systems improves stover and grain yield (Mpairwe 1998)

Study objectives

1. Determine the effects of intercropping maize with Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai on maize grain yield.

2. Determine the effects of intercropping maize with Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai on stover dry matter yield and quality.

Materials and Methods

Study site: Kitenga village, Masaka district

Target group: 12 smallholder dairy farmers

Establishment of experimental fields

0.2ha of maize-lablab intercrop (ML) and 0.2 ha of maize monocrop (MC) planted on the same farm

Data collection

Stover yield (Humphreys, 2001)

Chemical composition (A.O.A.C, 2001)

Data analysis: SAS (2001) for a RCBD

Results and Discussion

Maize grain yields and cob size increased (p<0.05) by 7 and 6%, respectively while stover DM yield reduced (p<0.05) by 5% in maize-lablab intercrops (Table 1).

Crude protein content of fodder from ML was 1.9 times higher (p>0.05) in intercrops than monocrops (4.0% CP) (Table 2).

Intercropping maize with lablab reduced (p<0.05) NDF but increased (p<0.05) P; Ca; IVOMD and ME (Table 2).

  Parameter

Cropping system   Intercrop Monocrop LSD 

Lablab fodder DM yield (kg/ha/yr)

 1321

 -

 -

Stover DM yield (kg/ha/yr) 4166b 4373a 200.6Total fodder DM yield (kg/ha/yr)

5487a 4373b 174.7

Mean weight of cobs (g/cob)

142a 134b 4.2

Grain yield (kg/ha/yr) 3115a 2912b 136.1 

Table 1: Effect of intercropping maize with lablab on grain and fodder dry matter yield

LSD=Least Significant DifferenceabLeast square means within a row followed by superscripts differ (p<0.05)

Parameter(% DM basis) 

MS from monocrop 

ML stover LSD

Dry matter 49.8 49.2 1.83Crude protein 4.0b 7.7a 0.22Crude protein yield (kg/ha/year)

180b 432.0a 36.84

Ash 9.2 9.3 0.43NDF 62.5a 60.8b 1.46Calcium 0.33b 0.39a 0.02Phosphorus 0.44 b 0.50a 0.02IVOMD 55.2b 58.8a 0.87#ME (MJ/kg DM) 8.6b 9.0a 0.13

Table 2: Effects of maize-lablab intercropping on chemical composition of fodder

# Calculated ME = 0.15*IVOMD (Close and Menke, 1986); MS=Maize stover; ML= Maize/lablab stover; abLeast square means within a row followed by different superscripts differ (p<0.05)

Conclusions

Intercropping maize with forage legumes increases quantity and nutritive value of the stover and grain yield.

Crude protein yield & ME of feeds from the intercrops were not adequate to meet the nutritional requirements of crossbred lactating dairy cattle.

Recommendations

Dairy cattle fed on forages from maize-Legume intercropping systems must be supplemented with other sources of protein and energy to meet the nutritional requirements of lactating cows.

Proposed research activities

Assess the effects of staggering planting dates on maize grain and stover yield and;

Evaluate the performance of crossbred cows fed forages from maize-forage legume intercropping systems supplemented with legume hay and a homemade concentrate.

Acknowledgements

The World Bank

ASARECA

NARO

NaLIRRI

EAAPP (U)

RDCoE-KARI

Research team members

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