Effects of Vetch ( Vicia spp.) Intercropping and Harvesting Stage on Desho Grass ( Pennisetum glaucifolium Trin.)

This study was conducted to evaluate vetch intercropping and harvesting stage nexus on the morphological characteristics, dry matter yield (DMY), and chemical composition of Desho grass ( Pennisetum glaucifolium Trin.). The experiment was arranged in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement using a randomized complete block design (RCBD), consisting of sole vetch, vetch‐Desho intercropping, and sole Desho grass combined with three harvesting stages (60, 90, and 120 days after planting). Intercropping significantly improved agronomic performance and forage quality of Desho grass across all harvesting stages. DMY increased by 47%, 43%, and 9% at 60, 90, and 120 days, respectively, compared with sole Desho grass. Plant height increased by up to 43%, while tiller number and leaf‐to‐stem ratio (LSR) improved by 11% and 20%, respectively. Crude protein (CP) content reached 20.91% at 60 days, representing a 6% increase over sole Desho grass. CP yield (CPY) increased by 55% and 43% at 60 and 90 days, respectively. In contrast, neutral and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents decreased by up to 12%. A clear trade‐off between forage yield and quality was observed with advancing maturity, with higher biomass but reduced nutritive value at later stages. Harvesting at 60 days produced superior forage quality, while 90 days provided a balanced yield‐quality outcome. This study demonstrates that integrating vetch with Desho grass and optimizing the harvesting stage enhances forage productivity and quality, offering a practical strategy for sustainable smallholder crop‐livestock systems in Ethiopia and similar agro‐ecological environments.