Influence of Different Proportion Intercropping on Oat and Common Vetch Yields and Nutritional Composition at Different Growth Stages

Abstract

Crop yield mainly depends on environment and cultivation practices that vary according to a growing environment. However, an oat (Avena sativa L.)-common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) intercrop system has not been fully developed in the agro-pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia, China. This study evaluated the effects of seven treatments, including five oat-common vetch intercropping patterns, sole oat, and sole vetch on yield and quality performance at different growth periods [75 days after sowing (DAS), 90 DAS, 105 DAS], on the basis of field experiments conducted in the agro-pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia in 2015 and 2016. The OV3:1 (oat intercropped with common vetch at seeding ratios 3:1) treatment at 105 DAS in 2016 was superior to other treatments, as it achieved the highest shoot dry matter, increasing by 24.1% and 37.1% compared to sole oat and common vetch. The crude fat (CF) contents, CF yield, and crude protein (CP) yield increased under OV3:1, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) decreased under OV3:1, compared to monoculture. The results indicate that intercropping is an efficient cropping system for the agro-pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia. The appropriate proportion of oat and common vetch intercropping at 3:1 and harvesting time not only increases crop yield but also improves the crop quality.