Forage mixture productivity and silage quality from a grass/legume intercrop in a semiarid Mediterranean environment

In semiarid environments of the Mediterranean region, intercropping is a sustainable agricultural system long standing. this area, pea (Pisum sativum L.) one most commonly grown legume crops. Little information available on quality silages to be obtained from forage mixtures intercropped with cereals or annual grasses. study, two experiments were conducted over course growing seasons in Sicily (Italy) aim determine biomass production crop and assess, only second experiment, silage grass legumes. Four species pure stand mixture pea, their main agronomic traits determined. The land equivalent ratio (LER), competitive ratio, aggressivity index also calculated. A number parameters considered assess fermented biomasses derived pea–ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. var. Westerwoldicum) intercropping. first best performance between intercrops was recorded for pea–wheat mixture. total LER calculated fodder yields always greater than 1, indicating yield advantages ranging 2.0% 47.0%. appeared respond well, depending plant arrangement seeding factors: ratios 50:50 100:50 showed greatest advantages, 12.0% 11.0%, respectively. All revealed very good suitability high-quality Southern region.