Relay-Intercropping of Stylosanthes guianensis in Rainfed Lowland Rice Ecosystem in Northeast Thailand

We evaluated the usefulness of the Stylosanthes guianensis (stylo)- rice relay-intercropping system for increasing agricultural productivity in Northeast Thailand. Although large production variability was observed, the relay-intercropping system produced an average of 350 g m-² stylo dry matter during the dry season under non-irrigated and non-fertilized conditions in the experimental fields at the Ubon Rice Research Center. Utilization of the stylo production as green manure increased rice yield, but only slightly. The relay-intercropping also slightly improved soil chemical properties, but not significantly. The trial of the relay-intercropping in farmer’s fields produced a maximum of 367 g m-² stylo dry matter. Since the stylo production did not decrease the subsequent rice production, the rice-stylo relay-intercropping system is worth considering as one way to utilize the paddy fields during the dry season in Northeast Thailand.     

Continuous Application of Biochar Inoculated with Root Nodule Bacteria to Subsoil Enhances Yield of Soybean by the Nodulation Control using Crack Fertilization Technique

Abstract

Crack fertilization is a soybean cultivation technique for nodulation control in which midterm subsoiling is used to supply fertilizing materials to deep soil just before the flowering stage. This study examined the effects of fertilizing materials and the continuous application of nodulation control, on soybean yield enhancement in two field experiments. The survival of nodule bacteria in deep soil was also evaluated by a bioassay of nodule bacteria in a root box. When the nodule bacteria on biochar were continuously applied without any other chemical fertilizers for three successive years, seed weight was significantly heavier being up to 1.34 times that of the control. The application of nodulation control in the previous year but not in the experimental year did not have residual effects on seed weight. The enhancement of seed weight in a farm field converted from a paddy was much lower. This may be partly attributed to the midterm tillage practice, whichdestroys the crack structure after the nodulation control, together with soil water status and cultivar differences. Nodule growth and nitrogen fixation activities significantly increased in the soybean plants grown on the soil collected from the subsoil to which nodule bacteria on biochar had been applied the previous year. This suggests that nodule bacteria in the subsoil survived in the biochar habitat for at least a year after application. These results indicate that nodulation control by the crack fertilization technique leads to yield enhancement when nodule bacteria on biochar are continuously applied.     

Fate of 15N-labeled Inorganic Fertilizer in an Upland Soil Applied with Sweet Sorghum Bagasse and N Uptake Efficiency by Komatsuna Plants

Abstract

Sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) is a soil amendment with potential for biofuel production. This study was conducted to determine the appropriate techniques for application of SSB and the effect of incorporation of inorganic fertilizer (IF) on the production of komatuna (Brassica rapa) plants. SSB was applied to the surface of the plant or incorporated into soil. The N fate of IF was evaluated by using ¹⁵N-labeled IF. The combination of surface application of SSB and incorporation of IF to soil decreased the N uptake by komatsuna plants but increased dry weight, whereas the incorporation of IF and SSB gave lower komatsuna dry weight than IF treatment alone. Moreover, the application of SSB tended to increase the N distribution from IF to komatsuna with decreased N loss from the plant-soil system. These results showed that surface application of SSB is effective for increasing crop production due to reduction of N loss and improved N use efficiency.     

Evaluation of forage legumes for introduction into natural pastures of semi‐arid rangelands of Kenya

To address the potential of legumes to contribute to improved quality and quantity of natural pastures in the semi‐arid rangelands of Kenya, five legume species were introduced and evaluated in a small‐plot field experiment over three growing seasons. The investigated species were glycine (Neonotonia wightii), siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum), dolichos (Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai), velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and shrubby stylo (Stylosanthes scabra cv. seca). Treatments included two cutting heights (ground level and 15 cm) and two cutting intervals (at 2 and 4 months). The mean dry matter (DM) yields of glycine and siratro were highest when the legumes were harvested at ground level at 2‐month intervals (10·31 and 7·81 t ha^?1 year^?1 respectively). Mean DM yield of stylo was highest when the legume was harvested at 15 cm after 4 months (3·52 t ha^?1 year^?1). These three legumes also produced high organic matter through litter fall, which contributed to soil fertility. Evidence from a supporting pot experiment showed effective nodulation and potential for N fixation. These legumes also possessed deep tap roots and withstood heavy defoliation. These three legumes were selected for further integration with grasses in natural pastures. The DM yields of dolichos and velvet bean when harvested at 15 cm after 2 or 4 months were low (2·48 and 1·91 t ha^?1 year^?1), and these species were considered inappropriate for further investigation.     

长期施肥对黑垆土氨化细菌数量和氨化作用强度的影响

为探讨长期施肥下黑垆土氨化作用的变化,在长期定位试验条件下,分析了长期施肥对黑垆土氨化细菌数量和氨化作用强度的影响。结果表明,在小麦连作下,各施肥处理均可不同程度提高土壤中氨化细菌数量和氨化作用强度,其中单施有机肥及有机无机肥配施的效果更明显。在不同施肥处理中,氮磷配施有机肥处理的土壤氨化细菌数量最多(7.53×108个·g~(-1)),是不施肥处理(CK)的189.2倍,氨化作用强度最高(1.49mg·kg~(-1)),较CK增加55.0%;其次为单施有机肥、氮肥配施有机肥和磷肥配施有机肥处理,其氨化细菌数量和氨化作用强度均显著高于CK。在苜蓿连作下,与CK相比,单施磷肥处理的土壤氨化细菌数量和氨化作用强度均明显降低,降幅分别为99.5%和49.7%。因此,黄土高原黑垆土区小麦连作时,长期施用有机肥及有机无机肥配施均可提高土壤有机氮的转化作用,增强其供氮能力;苜蓿连作时,长期单施磷肥可减弱土壤有机氮的转化作用。     

A Knowledge-Based Model for Nitrogen Management in Rice and Wheat

Abstract

Excessive nitrogen fertilization results in low nitrogen-use efficiency. To improve nitrogen management for high yield and high nitrogen efficiency in rice and wheat, we developed a knowledge-based nitrogen fertilization model by integrating the quantitative relationship between N fertilization and yield target with respect to N supply and demand balance. The total amount of nitrogen and ratio of basal to top dressing nitrogen could be determined by this nitrogen fertilization model, and the desirable nitrogen fertilizer strategies could be made under the conditions of different climates, soil types and managements. Furthermore, the function of dynamic regulation of pre-designed N dressing rate could be determined by using the nitrogen fertilization model on the basis of actual growth status under a specific production system. The nitrogen fertilization model is evaluated using the data from field experiments of rice and wheat at Nanjing, and the results on crop growth pattern and N use showed that the grain yield and N recovery were markedly improved by the N fertilization plan given by the model. The nitrogen fertilization model can be used as guidance for quantifying N fertilization strategy in cereal crop production.     

Roles of Root Aerenchyma Development and Its Associated QTL in Dry Matter Production under Transient Moisture Stress in Rice

Abstract

Enhanced aerenchyma development in rice under transient drought-to-waterlogged (TD-W) stress promotes root system development by promoting lateral root production. This study analyzed the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the plasticity in aerenchyma development under TD-W stress. A mapping population of 60 F₂ genotypes of chromosome segment substituted lines (CSSL) derived from CSSL47 and Nipponbare crosses were grown in rootboxes and evaluated for shoot and root growth, and aerenchyma development (expressed as root porosity). The TD-W stress was imposed starting with water saturated soil condition at sowing and then to progressive drought from 0 to 21 days after sowing (DAS) prior to exposure to sudden waterlogging for another 17 days (21 to 38 DAS). We performed simple and composite interval mapping to identify QTLs for aerenchyma development. QTL associated with aerenchyma development was mapped on the short-arm of chromosome 12 and designated as qAER-12. The effect of qAER-12 on the plasticity in aerenchyma development under TD-W was significantly associated with the increase in lateral root elongation and branching. This resulted in greater root system development as expressed in total root length and consequently contributed to higher dry matter production. This qAER-12 is probably the first reported QTL associated with aerenchyma development in rice under TD-W and is a useful trait for the improvement of the adaptive capability under fluctuating soil moisture conditions.     

Re‐evaluation of the liming‐fertilization interaction in grasslands on poor and acid soils

The effect of surface liming on herbage production in permanent grasslands is rather uncertain. To better understand the effect of liming on the grassland, a study was made with a field experiment and a pot experiment with soil from the same field. In the field, the effects of liming and NPK fertilization on the production and composition of the vegetation were studied. In pots, the effects of liming and phosphate fertilization on different grass species were analysed. The effect of NPK fertilization (+3·96 t ha^?1) on the production of the original grassland was greater than that of liming (+0·68 t ha^?1), which was only observed (P < 0·05) on the unfertilized plots. Liming increased the total number of species and the proportion of dicotyledons. After replacing the semi‐natural community with Dactylis glomerata L., the effects of liming (+2·37 t ha^?1) and fertilization (+6·52 t ha^?1) were increased. These results, together with those of the pot trial, show the important role of phosphorus in the fertilization effect, and are interpreted as a protective effect of P against aluminium toxicity.     

Effects of Organic and Chemical Fertilizers and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculation on Growth and Quality of Cucumber and Lettuce

Summary

Arbuscular mycorrhizae were inoculated into phosphorus-deficient soil fertilized with either organic or chemical fertilizer with cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) as the first crop and lettuce (Lactu-ca sativa L.) as the second crop but without additional fertilization and AM inoculation. AM increased dry matter and fruit yield of cucumber significantly in the unfertilized, organic-fertilized and P-deficient plants compared with the fully chemical-fertilized plants. AM inoculation increased the available phosphorus in plant and soil by around 30% for all treatments except for those chemically-fertilized. The rate of AM infection did not differ significantly among the fertilization treatments, but the infection intensity was higher in unfertilized, organic-fertilized and phosphorus-deficient treatments than chemical-fertilized treatment. The residual effects of AM-inoculated to cucumber were evident for lettuce in all pre-treatments that were unfertilized and un-inoculated for the second cropping. Without P-fertilization, neither crop could grow optimally even when the soil was inoculated with AM, suggesting that AM could not serve as a substitute for phosphorus fertilizer. However, the other beneficial effects of AM on crop growth and yield could not be fulfilled with phosphorus fertilizer.     

Toposequential Variation in Soil Fertility and Rice Productivity of Rainfed Lowland Paddy Fields in Mini-Watershed (Nong)in Northeast Thailand

Abstract

Mini-watersheds called Nongin Thai are geographical components of rainfed lowland rice culture in Northeast Thailand, and constitute distinct units in understanding environmental constraints for low and unstable rainfed rice production there. The toposequential variation of soil fertility and its relation to rice productivity within mini-watersheds, was examined by phytometry of sampled soils and field measurements of rice growth and yield. The phytometry experiment with irrigated potted rice using soils sampled from various rice fields within each mini-watershed, revealed that soil fertility as evaluated by rice dry matter production showed a 5 times difference among the fields at most. The difference in the soil fertility was ascribed primarily to that in nitrogen (N) supply capacity, which itself had a strong correlation with soil organic carbon (SOC) content. Accordingly, the biomass production of pot-grown rice was proportional to SOC. content, which suggested the usefulness of SOC as an index for soil fertility evaluation. The effect of clay on the soil fertility was much less than that of SOC. The actual rice yield in each field also showed quite large field-to-field variation, most of which was explained by the SOC content, rice growth duration and fertilizer application rate even though water availability also affected the yield. The yield positively correlated with growth duration and hence with earlier transplanting. Both SOC and clay contents of fields showed steep gradients with ascending field elevation within mini-watersheds, resulting in a marked toposequential distribution of rice yield. The toposequential distributions of SOC and clay contents imply that rice culture after deforestation accelerated soil erosion from upper to lower fields. The large toposequential gradient in soil fertility requires different resource and crop management for each toposequential position, in order to improve rice productivity of the mini-watershed as a whole.     

Sulphur supply affects morphology,growth and nutritional status of Tanzania Guinea grass and Mineirão stylo

Forage plants constitute the primary food source for ruminants, and their aboveground growth and belowground growth depend on mineral nutrient supply. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify variation in morphology, production and nutritional status in Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia and Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Mineirão grown with varying levels of S availability. In an experimental setting, plants of both species received rates of S calculated to reflect suboptimum, adequate and excessive levels of the element. S had a direct effect on morphology and production in both species. S limitation altered the allocation of photosynthates between the aboveground and belowground portions of Guinea grass and stylo, and was associated with lower root dry mass production. Guinea grass plants increased root surface area as an adaptive mechanism when S was limiting in the growth medium. The relative chlorophyll index of recently expanded leaves was correlated with aboveground dry mass production. After the initial growth, Guinea grass and stylo plants showed similar S requirements and use efficiency to achieve the maximum of aboveground productivity, although leguminous plants have a substantially higher capacity for store S in the shoot tissue as compared to gramineous plants growing under similar availability of S in the medium. While applying S was necessary for increasing dry mass production in both species, planting these species together is a promising strategy for guaranteeing high yields of forage with a nutritional value that satisfies the S requirements of ruminants.     

Effects of Low Root Temperature on Dry Matter Production and Root Water Uptake in Rice Plants

Abstract

Chilling is a major constraint in rice production in cool climates. In rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants, both the air temperature and the water (soil) temperature affect various growth processes independently, and low root zone temperature (thus, root temperature) can inhibit rice growth and yield. In this study, we investigated the effect of low root temperature on rice growth in relation to dry matter production and root water uptake. Plants were grown in hydroponic solutions at two temperatures, one equivalent to air temperature and the other 14ºC for 15 d starting 11 d after germination. Low temperature of the solution (low root temperature) inhibited dry matter production of rice plants by decreasing leaf area rather than photosynthetic rate. The response of leaf area was affected by changes in plant water status, that is relative water content (RWC) of stem was decreased by low root temperature resulting in reduced leaf area. The decrease in RWC caused by low root temperature was related to that in root hydraulic conductance (K_r). The responses of transpiration (E) and K_r to the low root temperature depended more on root surface area than on changes in hydraulic conductance per unit root surface area (Lp_r). These results suggest that dry matter production under the low root temperature condition is controlled mainly by quantitative growth parameters such as leaf area and root surface area.     

Phosphorus Balance and Soil Phosphorus Status in Paddy Rice Fields with Various Fertilizer Practices

Abstract

Excess phosphorus (P) has accumulated in Japanese paddy soils, due to fertilizer P inputs over crop requirement for several decades, and improvement of the excess of P is necessary in view of environmental conservation. This study aimed to evaluate the input/output balance of P related to soil P status in paddy rice systems, and to obtain a practical indication. Irrigated rice (Oryza sative L.) was cultivated on a gley soil from 1997 to 2006. Six field plots fertilized with commercial fertilizer, animal waste composts, green manure and none were included. Phosphorus input varied among plots from 0 to 73 kg ha-¹ yr-¹. Rice P uptake was approximately 20 kg ha-¹, indicating no response to the P input. This was attributed to a large amount of plant-available Bray- and Truog-P in our soils. In our fields, paddy rice could be cultivated with no P-containing fertilizer or amendment. As a result, increase in the P input led to an increase in partial P balance (PPB). Cumulative increase in PPB resulted in the increase in soil total P, whereas cumulative decrease of PPB tended to decrease it. Excess accumulation of the soil P results in a loss of P into the environment. We concluded that P fertilization should be restricted to 20 kg ha-¹ yr-¹ (corresponding to 46 kg ha-¹ yr-¹ as P₂O₅), based on evenly balanced P input with the rice P uptake. It is also important to include all of the P-containing fertilizers and amendments when determining the amount of application.     

Influence of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Biochar on Floodwater pH and Yield Components of Rice Cultivated on Acid Sulphate Soil under Rice Intensification Practices

Abstract

Rice has a vital role in food security but the production is limited in infertile and degraded soils. Rice is cultivated on acid sulphate soil in the coastal area of Peninsular Malaysia. Soil amendment using biological charcoal (biochar) increases the soil fertility. Thus, empty fruit bunch biochar (EFBB) was applied in a pot experiment under a controlled environment using an organic system of rice intensification (SRI) practice and its effects on the floodwater pH, acid sulphate soil properties and growth performance of rice and yield of rice MR219 were preliminarily investigated. EFBB increased grain yield by 141 to 472%. Plant growth and yield parameters in EFBB amended soils were significantly higher than in soil without biochar. The number of tillers increased significantly with the increase in biochar applied; 28 tillers were produced in the control, while up to 80 tillers were produced in the plots applied 40 t ha^–1 EFBB. Moreover, the decline of Al³⁺ in flood water indicated that EFBB mitigated Al³⁺ toxicity. Soil water pH increased from 3.5 to 6 with increasing EFBB application rates. The grain yield was linearly correlated to the application rate of EFBB. This pot study demonstrates that the application of EFBB combined with organic fertilization and intermittent irrigation has the potential to improve rice yield on acid sulphate soil. Further study in the field is warranted to determine the effect of EFBB on large scale rice production.     

Matching the Expression of Root Plasticity with Soil Moisture Availability Maximizes Production of Rice Plants Grown in an Experimental Sloping Bed having Soil Moisture Gradients

Abstract

Soil moisture distributions in rainfed lowland rice environments are largely determined by the position in the toposequence. In this study, we developed an experimental sloping bed that can simulate the soil hydrological conditions in sloping rainfed lowland rice environments to examine if the expression of promoted root system development in relation to soil moisture availability along the soil profile may maximize water uptake and dry matter production under drought. The gradient of available water along both the surface soil layer and the vertical soil profile was successfully created by manipulating ground water levels in the experimental sloping bed indicating the practical effectiveness of this experimental system. Then, two contrasting genotypes, IRAT109 (upland rice adapted japonica) and KDML105 (lowland adapted indica) were grown for plasticity evaluation. Dry matter production was maintained even at a higher position in the toposequence in IRAT109, but decreased in KDML105. Such maintenance of dry matter production in IRAT109 was attributed to its greater ability to increase root length density in a deeper soil layer, where more soil moisture is available. In contrast, KDML105 maintained root length density in the upper soil layer, and could not utilize the soil moisture available in the deeper soil layer. These results imply that the genotype that expressed root plasticity with root system developing in the soil portion where more soil moisture was available showed greater dry matter production than the genotype that showed root plasticity in the soil layer where soil moisture was less available.     

Efficient Plant Regeneration in Garlic through Somatic Embryogenesis from Root Tip Expiants

Abstract

The present study was conducted to establish an efficient protocol of plantlet regeneration through somatic embryogenesis in garlic (Allium sativum L.). Root tips measuring 2 to 3 mm were excised and cultured on agar-solidified MS medium containing various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) for callus and embryo formation. The optimum concentration of 2,4-D was 0.5 μM. At a concentration higher than 1.0 μM, 2,4-D had an inhibitory effect on callus and embryo formation. Embryos germinated and formed rooted plantlets on MS solid medium containing 5.0 μM kinetin. The number of plantlets regenerated per root tip expiant depended on the concentration of 2,4-D in the callus initiation medium. The plantlets were established in the soil after acclimatization in a growth cabinet. Somatic embryos were morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Effect of six-weekly harvests on the yield, chemical composition and dry matter degradability of Panicum maximum and Stylosanthes hamata in Nigeria

The dry matter (DM) yield and degradability of 6‐week‐old harvests of tropical forages were measured over a season. The forages were nitrogen‐fertilized Guinea grass (Panicum maximum, NFG), unfertilized Guinea grass (UFG), Verano stylo (Stylosanthes hamata,VS), a Guinea grass–Verano stylo mixture (GSM) and Guinea grass in the grass–Verano stylo mixture (GGSM). Six‐week‐old forages were made possible through a cutting regime, which produced four harvests in the growing season. The DM yields of the forages differed significantly (P < 0·001) and showed a significant reduction (P < 0·01) across the season. Crude protein and neutral‐detergent fibre concentrations were significantly (P < 0·01) different between the forages but there was no difference between harvests. The DM degradability of the forages at all harvests were significantly (P < 0·001) different with differences in the soluble fraction (a), degradable fraction (b), potential degradability (PD) and effective degradability (ED), but rate of degradability (c) did not show any significant difference between the forages. Significant (P < 0·01) differences were found between harvests for b and PD, and for the interaction between forage and harvest for b, PD and ED but were not found for the a and c fractions. Both the PD and ED values of all the forages fell with advancing harvests. Although the 6‐week‐old harvests of forage were found not to influence the characteristic reduction in yield of tropical grasses over time, it is concluded that such a management system could be used to obtain forage of relatively high nutritive value during the growing season.     

Establishment rate of direct-seeded rice in the relay-intercropping system in Kanto region of Japan

The relay intercropping system for cultivating direct-seeding rice and winter cereal is a low-cost method particularly for double cropping, because it eliminates the steps of raising seedlings, paddling, and transplanting. However, in this system, the seedling establishment rate (SER) of rice is low and unstable. The objective of this study was to identify the factors affecting SER to highlight the ways to improve SER. Experiments were conducted in experimental fields in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture in 2015 and 2016. To determine the time of rice seed death and to calculate seed survival rates, ‘Akidawara’ seeds were embedded in soil (depth: 3 cm) and dug up after defined periods. We then analyzed the correlation between SER and meteorological factors at two sites (Ibaraki Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture) over the same two years. Based on mean air temperature (MT), we divided the period from seeding to June 20 (when irrigation had been initiated in almost all the fields) into four phases. In Phase 1, the number of days with rainfall (≥5 mm) and soil-wetting days (water potential ≥ ?100 kPa) were significantly and negatively correlated with SER. We found that most of the seed deaths occurred after germination, and the germination rates were presumably affected by water absorption during the low temperature phase. Further investigations are needed to understand the occurrences during the seedling emergence period. This study contributes to a better understanding of the factors affecting variations in the SER of direct-seeded rice grown in the relay-intercropping system.

List of Abbreviations: DSR: direct-seeded rice; SER: seedling establishment rate; TT: thiuram treatment; SSR: seed survival rate; DS: dead seeds; AGS: already germinated seeds; DSRI: direct-seeding of rice in the inter-row spaces of winter cereals; VWC: volume water content; WP: water potential     

Rice Production in Unfertilized Paddy Field: Mechanism of grain production as estimated from nitrogen economy

Abstract

Rice grain production in a long- term unfertilized paddy field was compared with that in an adjacent paddy field which had been supplied with the standard level of fertilizers in 1980-1998 to elucidate the mechanism of maintained grain production in the unfertilized field. Average grain yield (brown rice) in the unfertilized paddy field was 382.7 g m^–2 while that in the fertilized field in the adjacent field was 480.0 g m^–2, indicating that 80% of grain production was constantly maintained without supplying any nitrogen fertilizer. The amount of nitrogen absorbed by rice plants for producing 1 g grain was estimated to be 14.1 mg, 55% higher than that in the fertilized field in terms of grain production efficiency. The amount of nitrogen absorbed by rice plants per year in the unfertilized field was calculated to be 5.4 g m^–2. This amount of nitrogen should have been supplied annually to maintain the stable grain production for the period of 18 years. Quantitative analysis of nitrogen in the unfertilized field demonstrated that 1.4 g m^–2 of nitrogen was supplied from irrigation water containing suspended solids, 0.68 g m^–2 from biological fixation, and 9.0 g m^–2 from soil, respectively, to maintain the stable grain production. Total nitrogen of soil in the unfertilized paddy field had been maintained at a constant level during these 18 years, suggesting that grain production of around 380 g m^–2 (brown rice) could be supported without fertilization for an extended period of time.     

Effect of applications of organic solid cattle manure on Hungarian vetch and barley intercropping mixtures grown on soils of different depths

Sloping fields on soils of shallow depth to tillage are commonly left uncultivated in many parts of the world. This study was conducted to compare the effects on morphological traits, dry‐matter (DM) yield, legume ratio (LR), crude protein content (CP), crude protein yield (CP yield) and mineral concentrations (N, P, K, S, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, B and Zn) of Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown in intercropping mixtures in response to three rates of organic solid cattle manure application (M₀: 0, M₁: 10, M₂: 20 t ha^?1). Experimentation was conducted on soils of two different soil depths [shallow (8–12 cm; low‐medium erosion risk) and normal soil depth (18–22 cm; no erosion risk)] on a sloping field in the 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 growing seasons at Gumushane, Turkey. Herbage harvested on the shallow depth area had 22–73% less DM yield, 14–72% less CP yield, 6–9% greater CP content and generally higher minerals contents than herbage from the normal soil depth area. Cattle manure applications increased DM yield by about 23%, increased CP content and CP yield, and also increased the contents of most minerals in herbage of the intercropping mixtures, relative to the control, averaged over the two soil depths. It is suggested that, for areas with shallow soil depths that are prone to erosion, plant cover should be used for forage production, and that fertilization with solid cattle manure at 20 t ha^?1 can support production of quality forage of acceptable DM yield.