Analysis of performance and quality of forage triticale mixed with leguminous crops

The aim of this study was to find a high-yield and high-quality forage production model for mixed crops of grass and legumes suitable for promotion in the agricultural and pastoral areas of Qinghai Province. This study was performed to analyze the forage production model of × Triticale Wittmack, Vicia faba, Pisum sativum, Vicia sativa, and Vicia villosa under mono-cropping and different proportions of mixed cropping. The results showed that mixing rye with legume crops significantly affected legume crop phenology and plant height (P < 0.05) and had no significant effects on rye phenology and plant height (P > 0.05). The total dry weight after M treatment (× Triticale Wittmack 150 kg·ha⁻¹ + V. sativa 150 kg·ha⁻¹) was 8500.4 kg·ha⁻¹, which was significantly higher than the other treatments and with a stronger mixing advantage. No significant differences in crude protein were observed between the mixed crop treatments and small rye monocrop, whereas crude fat, soluble sugar, crude fiber, nitrogen-free leachate, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber contents were mostly higher in the mixed crop treatments than in the small rye monocrop. The optimal mixing combination of wheat and legume crops and optimal sowing rate of mixing were obtained using a comprehensive evaluation with principal component analysis and affiliation function analysis: × Triticale Wittmack 150 kg·ha⁻¹ + V. sativa 150 kg·ha⁻¹, as evaluated using the affiliation function analysis. It can be popularized and used in the intertwined agricultural and pastoral areas of Qinghai Province, to provide theoretical basis and technical support for the efficient production of high-quality forage in the agricultural and pastoral intertwined areas.