Introduction: In the temperate-semiarid region of Aguascalientes, Mexico, most of the rural
population depends on rainfed agriculture related to the family milk production system.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of different fertilization practices on forage yield and quality of
three rainfed crops in four- and six-row seedbeds.
Methodology: Five fertilization treatments were evaluated: T1) control (no fertilization), T2) chemical
fertilization (40-40-00 kg·ha-1 of N-P-K), T3) mixture (28-40-00 kg·ha-1 and 26 kg of zeolite), T4) organic
fertilizer (5 t·ha-1 of bovine manure) and T5) mycorrhiza (inoculation with 350 g·ha-1 of mycorrhizal
substrate). Maize and sunflowers were planted in four rows, and sorghum in six rows. A randomized
complete block design with four replicates was used.
Results: Dry matter yield in relation to the control, in T2, T3 and T4 was 100, 84 and 26 % for
maize, 123, 177 and 67 % for sunflowers, and 52, 49 and 91 % for sorghum, respectively. T5 was
higher compared to T1, but without statistical difference. Forage quality of the three crops showed
no increase, except for crude protein in T2 and T3.
Limitations of the study: Results correspond to a single cycle (spring-summer).
Originality: Good agronomic practices for forage production were established
Conclusions: Agronomic practices (minimum tillage, in situ rainwater harvesting, sowing methods
and fertilization) generate a positive effect on yield and forage quality in rainfed crops.