Changes in Panicum maximum Jacq. (Mombasa cv) Canopy Cover and its Relation to Forage Productivity under Leucaena Leucocephala Alley Cropping and NPK Fertilization in an Arid Agroforestry Systems in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

There is an increasing need for intercropping practices in drylands to increase land-use efficiency. Canopy cover is a great tool for assessing agricultural yield, as it is an indicator of plant health and productivity. The smartphone-based application Canopeo was used to measure the canopy cover (CC) of Panicum maximum Jacq. (Mombasa cv) under mixed intercropping with Leucaena and four (4) fertilization levels (control, 200 kg, 300 kg, and 400 kg of NPK). The forage yield and CC were measured for six (6) consecutive cuttings. Forage quality (N, P, K, and protein levels) was also analyzed.

The results revealed a highly positive correlation between the CC and crop yield and quality. In addition, the application of fertilizers produced higher CC, which was associated with higher yield and forage quality. The relatively low correlation between CC and yield in intercropping may be due to the high competition of the Leucaena tree.  However, the entire intercropping system was positive (with an LER of 2.7), indicating better land-use efficiency.

The results indicate that intercropping in drylands would result in better land use. The application of NPK fertilizers increases crop CC, resulting in higher forage yield and quality.