The present study was conducted during kharif season of 2017 with objective to study the influence of different intercropping combinations of forage sorghum and legumes (cowpea and guar) on forage productivity and quality. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 7 treatments consisting of three different forage crops, viz. sorghum, cowpea and guar sown in sole treatment as well as in 1:1 and 2:1 intercropping combinations of forage sorghum with legume crop components. Results revealed that the highest total green fodder yield (434.61 q/ha) and total dry matter yield (90.65 q/ha) were obtained with sorghum+cowpea (2:1) and sorghum+guar (2:1) intercropping combinations, respectively. Forage sorghum recorded significantly higher CP content (8.92%) in sorghum+guar (1:1) intercropping combination. Significantly higher ether extract of sorghum (2.03%), cowpea (2.60%) and guar (2.61%) were found in their (1:1) intercropping row proportion. The maximum total CP yield and total EE yield (10.35 and 1.93 q/ha), respectively were reported in sorghum+guar (1:1) ratio, while total ash yield (9.18 q/ha) was recorded in sorghum+guar (2:1) intercropping ratio. The sorghum planted under 1:1 intercropping row ratios of sorghum with cowpea/ guar crops recorded significantly lowest value of NDF (61.12-61.14%) and ADF (30.12-30.15%) and ADL (4.24-4.26%) over 2:1 row ratio intercropping of sorghum with cowpea/ guar and its sole stand. The minimum value of NDICP on DM% and ADICP DM% basis and NDICP on CP% and ADICP CP% basis were reported in 1:1 intercropping proportion. Therefore, considering overall results of our study, it can be concluded that to realize higher production and quality of forage sorghum its cultivation in 1:1 and 2:1 row ratio with legumes (Guar/cowpea) can be recommended.

The current trend in global agriculture is to search for highly productive, sustainable and eco-friendly cropping systems. Intercropping of cereals with legumes is a recognized practice for economizing the use of nitrogenous fertilizers and increasing the productivity, quality, and profitability particularly in commercial grain crops but possibilities of fodder production in these intercropping systems is less explored. Availability of green fodder with improved quality to animals is the key to success of dairy enterprises and it is difficult to maintain the health and milk production of the livestock without supply of the quality green fodder. The growing of fodder crops in mixture with legumes has potential to improve palatability and digestibility of fodder (Kumar et al. 2018, Kumar et al. 2016). It is fact that about 65-70% of the total cost of livestock farming is attributed to feeding. However, green fodder production is a good way in order to curtail the cost on feed and fodder resources for sustainable livestock production. At present, the country is facing a net deficit of 35.6% green fodder, 10.95% dry crop residues and 44% concentrate feed ingredients. At the current level of growth in forage resources, there will be 18.4% deficit in green fodder and 13.2% deficit in dry fodder by the year 2050 (Anonymous 2015). The main objective of intercropping has been to maximize use of resources such as space, light and nutrients as well as to improve fodder quality and quantity. When legumes are used as intercrops, they provide beneficial effect on soil health by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, improving physical, chemical and biological properties. Hence, present study was undertaken in order to to assess the productivity, soil nutrient status and economics of different forage maize-legumes based intercropping systems.

Availability of green fodder with improved quality to animals is the key to success for sustainable livestock production. It is difficult to maintain the health and milk production of the livestock without supply of the quality green fodder. Therefore, the study was carried out to evaluate the forage quality of maize and legumes as influenced by varying intercropping combinations. This experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments consisting of three different forage crops, viz. maize, cowpea and guar sown in sole as well as in 1:1 and 2:1 intercropping combinations of forage cereal with legume crop components in three replications. Experimental results showed that the highest dry matter yield (94.89 q/ha) was obtained in maize+ cowpea (2:1) intercropping combinations. The quality parameters of different forage crops, viz. Organic Matter, Crude Protein, Ether Extract, Ash Content, Neutral Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Lignin, NDICP and ADICP were influenced significantly and favourably with inclusion of both legumes. Among intercropping combinations Maize: legume (1:1) was better over Maize: legume (2:1) and sole maize. The CP, EE and Ash yield were influenced significantly and maximum value were observed 10.74, 1.99 and 9.4 q/ha, respectively in forage maize+ cowpea (2:1) ratio. Among the different forage crops, the fiber fractions were observed minimum in (1:1) intercropping ratio of maize with legume components as compares to their sole component as well as (2:1) intercropping combinations. The insoluble crude protein content was found minimum in (1:1) intercropping combination and influenced significantly with their respective (2:1) or sole crop.