Effect of intercropping oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties with common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) on yield, yield component, chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and gas production of oats in the highland area of Guji zone, southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of intercropping three oat varieties (Bonsa, Bareda, and Bate) with common vetch at different row arrangements on the yield, yield component, feed quality traits and gas production of oats in the highland area of the Guji Zone, Southern Oromia and Ethiopia. The experimental design was a factorial arrangement with a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three row arrangement (1:1, 1:2, and 2:1). Three oat varieties were intercropped with common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) in three replications. Before planting and after the forage was harvested, soil samples were taken and examined for soil nutrient levels. Agronomic performances yield and yield components, in vitro digestibility, gas production, and chemical composition were measured