Elsevier

Field Crops Research

Volume 84, Issues 1–2, October–November 2003, Pages 57-77
Field Crops Research

Crop management factors influencing yield and quality of crop residues

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4290(03)00141-2Get rights and content

Abstract

In the semi-arid tropics, over two-third’s of the world’s people depend on agriculture within which livestock play a major role in building rural livelihoods. Crop residues (fodder/stover) are important feed resources for ruminants. This review was undertaken with the objective of improving understanding of the role of various crop management factors in affecting the productivity and quality of crop residues. Variability in productivity and quality of residues can be of both genetic and non-genetic origin. Recommended agronomic practices vary according to crop and cultivar and can release the maximum genetic potential determining quantity and quality of residues. Planting method and planting rate recommendations should be followed to maximise productivity. Although low density planting improved fodder quality, fodder yield declined. Time of sowing affected fodder yield in most of the crops, but fodder quality was not generally affected. It was common to observe that application of nitrogen (up to 120 kg ha−1) in cereals and application of phosphorus (up to 60 kg ha−1) in legumes improved the green and dry fodder yields, as well as crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF) and other quality parameters. Inoculation of cereal seed with nitrogen fixing bacteria such as Azotobacter and seed of pulses with phosphate solubilising bacteria has been reported to decrease fertiliser needs and improve the CP and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of fodder. Irrigating at more frequent intervals by splitting the same quantity of irrigation water into smaller irrigations and at critical stages improved dry matter and CP yields. Hand weeding resulted in better weed control efficiency and stover yield than application of herbicides. However, application of herbicides resulted in the greatest benefit:cost ratio. Manual harvesting resulted in lower losses than mechanical harvesting, and may affect quality depending on the extent of loss of different fodder components. Drought stress yielded more digestible organic matter due to increases in the proportion of leaves compared to stems. Saline conditions affected seed germination and crop yields. Several methods are suggested to counteract the effects of salinity. Intercropping of cereals with legumes improved fodder nutritional quality (mostly protein content). In almost all crops, a positive association was found between fodder and grain yield indicating simultaneous improvement in both characters. In most cases, fodder yield and digestibility were positively correlated and showed positive association with plant height, leaf number and the number of tillers per plant, but there were limits and variation among crops.

The ICRISAT–ILRI partnership experiments were conducted with a diverse set of sorghum and pearl millet cultivars at ICRISAT, India. Planting density levels in both crops did not influence forage quality although some fodder yield traits were affected. A significant interaction of genotype with planting density was observed for grain and fodder yield in sorghum and grain yield and harvest index in pearl millet. Adherence to recommended crop management practices can potentially facilitate the release of the maximum genetic potential determining quality and yield parameters for improved animal production.

Introduction

Over two-thirds of world’s 1.3 billion impoverished people live in rural areas and rely on agriculture for a significant part of their livelihoods. Livestock are important assets of this group and play a critical role in both sustainability and intensification of agricultural productivity in most farming systems. Increasing human population and changes in dietary habits associated with urbanisation and higher incomes are causing increased demands for food of animal origin.

Delgado et al. (1999) estimated that between 1993 and 2020, the demand for livestock products will double and meat and milk production in developing countries will grow at annual rates of 2.7 and 3.2%, respectively. The inability of producers to feed animals adequately throughout the year remains the major technical constraint in meeting future demands for meat and milk. Improving the feed supply, both in yield and quality, is an effective means to build assets and increase livestock productivity. The purpose of this paper is to assess briefly the role of crop residues among feed resources and to summarise the crop management factors that affect the yield and quality of crop residues.

Section snippets

Importance of crop residues among feed resources

Pastures (herbaceous plants, fodder trees/shrubs), crop residues, cultivated forages, concentrate feeds (agro-industrial by-products, grains, feed supplements, etc.) and household wastes are the main resources used as livestock feed. Availability of grazing land is decreasing due to expansion of cropping to meet the demands for food, urbanisation and land use for other activities such as industries.

The adoption of introduced forages in tropical developing countries has been limited due to lack

Role and influence of crop management factors on the yield and quality of crop residues

The yield and quality characteristics of residues are determined by the genetic makeup of the crop, growing conditions and harvesting, threshing and storage methods. For improvement in residue quality, efforts will have to be made to increase the soluble nutrient content (cell content) and the digestibility of the cell wall fraction. Studies during crop development indicate different rates of change in chemical composition and digestibility due to conditions of growth, which ultimately affect

Summary and conclusions

This review discussed the importance of crop residues as livestock feed and the influence of crop management factors on the yield and quality of crop residues and the genetic factors governing them. Management factors such as planting method, seeding rate, population density, sowing time, fertilizer, irrigation, weed control, intercropping and abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity were discussed in detail. Sowing by drilling coupled with optimum seed rate recommendations gave higher

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