ABSTRACT
Irrigated fodder production is an integrated component of range management. Thus, it should be developed to complement and reduce pressure on native range plants. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) are the main forage crops in the Arabian Gulf states to feed livestock. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of pure stand and mixing stand of both species on both quality and quantity of animal feed production under the extreme arid conditions of Kuwait. Experimental plots consisted of pure stand of alfalfa, pure stand of barley and three different mixed ratios of both crops. Plots were irrigated with underground brackish water. Mixed cropping was found to improve crop yield and quality of forages. Further field studies are needed to improve forage production in Kuwait.
