Fig 1.
Diagram of different intercropping patterns between alfalfa (A, *), corn (C, +) and rye (R, +). Distances between rows (cm) are indicated.
Table 1.
Weather conditions for the duration of the experiment.
Table 2.
Dry matter and nutrient yields (kg/ha) of different cultivation patterns.
Table 3.
The 48-h degradability and yields of degradable dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP)and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) based on 48-h degradability.
Table 4.
The in sacco degradation kinetics* of different cultivation patterns.
Fig 2.
Transverse sections of alfalfa, rye and corn stems before and after degradation.
a. the anatomic structure of alfalfa stem (the cross-section of the seventh internode); b. the anatomic structure of rumen-degraded alfalfa stem subjected to sole cropping; c. the anatomic structure of intercropping alfalfa stem degraded together with rye and corn stem in rumen; d. the anatomic structure of rye stem (the cross-section of the fourth internode); e. the anatomic structure of rumen-degraded rye stem subjected to sole cropping; f. the anatomic structure of intercropping rye stem degraded with alfalfa and corn stem in rumen; g. the anatomic structure of corn stalk (the cross-section of the fourth internode); h. the anatomic structure of rumen-degraded corn stalk subjected to sole cropping; i. the anatomic structure of intercropping corn stalk degraded with rye and alfalfa stem in rumen.