Intercropping system of cereal with legume or some non-legume is a common practice in many developing countries because it may produce higher forage quantity and quality product than monocropping. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of mixture system and planting ratios on forage yield and yield components of two intercropping systems including maize:amaranth and maize:mung bean. This field study was conducted during 2008-09 under Mediterranean region in Ahvaz, Iran. The experimental design was split plot with three replications. Our results showed that both intercropping systems at the 75:25 mix-proportion had the highest intercropping dry matter yield. However, regardless of planting ratios, maize:amaranth had the highest intercropping dry matter. But, maize:mungbean at this condition was observed to be the most LER advantages. Furthermore, greater dry matter in maize:amaranth intercropping system mainly was due to higher leaf weight and stem weight values in this mixture than maize:mungbean systems. Means stem and leaf weights were higher in maize:amaranth than maize:mungbean mixture. However, yield of all maize intercropping systems were less that it was in monocropping. The ratio of proportion also seemed to had significantly affect on yield components of both intercropping systems and all crops. Despite of maize dry matter decrease in intercropping system as compared to sole stand, mixing of legume or some pseudocereal in cereal is a suitable alternative to increase the quality of cereal fodders.
