Productivity and LER (Land Equivalent Ratio) Napier grass-based intercropping with Legume Cover Crop (LCC)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate productivity and Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) Napier grass-based intercropping with Legume Cover Crop (LCC). The experiment conducted at Teaching Farm Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya. Three type of LCC (A) were Clitoria ternatea, Centrocema pubescens and Pueraria javanica and number of row of LCC (B) that nested on factor A. Each treatment repeated 4 times. One plot of experiment were 5 × 4 m (30 plants, 5 row). Parameters that observed were productivity (fresh and dry matter forage production) and LER. Data analyzed with Variance Analysis using Completely Randomized Block Nested Design. The result has shown that type of LCC had influenced on fresh and dry matter forage production while row number of LCC had not influenced. Land Equivalent Ratio Napier grass-based intercropping with two row of LCC were higher than one row of LCC, especially intercropping with Clitoria ternatea and Pueraria javanica have LER > 1, in order 1.073 and 1.028. It can be concluded that type of LCC on intercropping had influence on forage production and intercropping Napier grass with two rows of LCC are more effective to maintain forage production and sustainable animal production with high quality forage.