Leaf/Stem Ratio in monoculture and intercropping system of Indigofera legumes with Brachiaria grass planted at different planting spaces

Abstract When assessing the quality of fodder, the leaf/stem (L/S) ratio is crucial; the higher the ratio, the higher the quality. The purpose of the study is to determine how the L/S ratio of Brachiaria grass (Bg) and Indigofera legume (Il) plants grown in intercropping (Ic) and monoculture (Mn) systems with varying planting area treatments varies. The design utilized was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments of planting space, each repeated five times. The planting distance (C) combination is (C1) Il, 1.00 m x 1.00 m dan Bg, 0.25 m x 0.50 m; (C2) Il, 1.00 m x 1.00 m dan Bg 0.25 m x 0.75 m; (C3) Il 1.00 m x 1.50 m dan Bg 0.25 m x 0.50 m; (C4) Il 1.00 m x 1.50 m dan Bg 0.25 m x 0.75 m. Variations in the L/S ratio of Bg and Il planted on Mn and Ic were among the factors that were measured. The Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test and analysis of variance were used to examine the data. Analysis of variance revealed that changes in the leaf/stem ratio were strongly influenced (P<0.01) by the planting spacing. Based on HSD tests, C2 produced an increase in L/S for Bg that was significantly greater than C3, C4 and C1; and C3 produced an increase in L/S for Il that was significantly greater than C4, C2 and C1. It concluded that to plant Il 1.00 m x 1.50 m in combination with Bg 0.25 m x 0.50 m for the intercropping system to increase the leaf/stem ratio of Brachiaria grass and indigofera legume.