Comparison of Yield and Yield Components of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and Red Bean (Phaseolus calcaratus) under different Intercropping Arrangements

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• A Koocheki
• H Zarghani
• A Norooziyan

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

10.22067/gsc.v14i2.51158

Abstract

Introduction
Intercropping is a sustainable practice used in many developed and developing countries and an essential element of agricultural sustainability. Intercropping is simultaneous growing of two or more crops during a given season on same location. Such a method enables the utilization of common limiting resources more efficiently than the species grown separately. Using two species with different growth habits and the least competitive characteristics in intercropping, increases the efficiency of resources (light, water and nutrients) and absorption in comparison with the sole cropping (Fernandez-Aparicio et al., 2008). The study of intercropping of borage (Borago officinalis L.) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) showed that the highest economic yield was achieved in monoculture and the lowest economic yield was obtained in four rows of borage plus four rows of bean, but the maximum land equivalent ratio was calculated in 2:2 intercropping. The aim of current study was to determine the best combination and efficiency of resource utilization in intercropping of additive series of chickpea and black cumin. The results were compared to respective monoculture and the advantages of intercropping was determined. The effects of planting different ratios of two crops on yield and yield components of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) was also investigated. The results of intercropping of additive series showed that the highest grain and biological yield of chickpea were obtained through monoculture and the lowest grain and biological yield of chickpea achieved by planting ratio of 100% sesame and 10% chickpea.
Materials and Methods
To evaluate the effects of different intercropping arrangements of sunflower, sesame and red bean on growth characteristics, yield components and yield, a field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran during two growing seasons of 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. For this purpose a randomized complete block design with six treatments and four replications was used. Treatments were: (A) one row for each special intercropping, (B) row intercropping (two rows for each species), (C) strip intercropping (four rows for each species) and (D) sole crop of sunflower, (E) sole crop of red bean and (F) sole crop of sesame (twelve rows for each species).
Land equivalent ratio (LER)
Land equivalent ratio of sunflower, sesame and red bean was calculated (Sullivan, 2003) as:
LER= Y1/L1+Y2/I2
Where Y1 and Y2 represent sunflower, sesame and red bean yield in intercropping and L1 and I2 represent sunflower, sesame and red bean yield in mono-culture, respectively.
Statistical analyses: SAS ver. 9.1 and MSTAT-C softwares were used for statistical analysis. To compare the means, Duncan's multiple range test at 5% probability level was used.
Results and Discussion
Results showed that the growth characteristics, yield and yield components of sunflower, sesame and red bean were significantly (p≤0.01) affected by different intercropping arrangements. There was a decreasing trend in these parameters from intercropped towards the sole crop for sesame and red bean and an increasing trend for sunflower. The highest biological and economic yield of sesame (4751 and 2207 kg ha-1, respectively) and red bean (5701 and 2719 kg ha-1, respectively) were observed in monoculture. There was a decreasing trend in land equivalent ratio (LER) from row intercropped toward, strip cropping. Maximum and minimum LER were observed in A and C with 1.38 and 1.02, respectively.
Conclusions
According to the results, intercropping of sunflower, sesame and red bean can be beneficial in terms of ecological management. In general the arrangements of sunflower, sesame and red bean could be recommended for achieving high yield in sunflower in this region.

Keywords

• LER
• Row intercropping
• Strip intercropping

20.1001.1.20081472.1395.14.2.2.1

---

References

1- Abbasi, A. 2004. Density review cumin and chickpea intercropping with emphasis keeps the weeds in Mashhad. Master thesis of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tehran University.

2- Ahmad, N. 1997. Agro-economic relationships of the component crops in some wheat-based intercropping systems at different patterns of wheat plantation. Ph.D. Thesis, Unvi. Agric., Faisalabad (Pakistan).

3- Mahdavi Damghani, A., Kocheki, A., and Zand, A. 2006. The design and management of sustainable agricultural ecosystems. Key articles of Crop Science Congress. Aboureihan-University Campus Thran.7-5 September.

4- Anonymous. 2001. The objectives of conservation tillage: fewer trips, more rest soil and increased profitability.

5- Bajwa, A. N., Nazir M. S., and Mohsan, S. M. 1992. Agro-economic studies on some wheat-based intercropping systems. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences 29(4): 439-443.

6- Banik, P.A., Midya B.K., Sarkar S., and Ghose S. 2006. Wheat and chickpea intercropping systems in an additive series experiment: advantages and weed smothering. European Journal Agronomy 24: 325-332.

7- Bhatti L. Ahmad H, R. and Shafi Nazir M. 2005. Agronomic traits of sesame as affected by grain legumes intercropping and planting patterns. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences 42(1): 10-20.

8- Biabania. A., Hashemi M.and Herbertt S.J. 2008. Agronomic performance of two intercropped soybean cultivars. International Journal of Plant Production 2(3): 215-222.

9- Brumner, E.C, 1998. Diversity, stability and susainable American agriculture. Agronomy Journal 90(1): 10-20.

10- Chandel, A.S., V.K. Singh and S.G. Saxena. 1987. Stability of soybean varieties for maize+soybean intercropping. Indian Journal of Agricultural Science 57(3): 330-335.

11- Chanthakhoun, V., Wanapat, M., Wanapat, S., 2008. Study on yield, nutritive value and ruminal degradability of Phaseolus calcaratus (Tua-mun) in swamp buffaloes. Proc. XIII th AAAP. Int. cog, Hanoi, Vietnam, p. 7.

12- Chapman, S. R., Allard R.W. and Adams J. 1989. Effect of planting rate and genotypic frequency on yield and seed size in mixture of two wheat varieties. Crop Science. 9 (1): 575-576.

13- Connolly, J., Goma H.C. and Rahim K. 2001. The infprmation content of indicators in intercropping research. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment 87: 191-207.

14- Elmore, R. W. and Jackobs J. A.1984. Yield and yield components of sorghum and soybean of varing plant heights when intercropped. Agronomy Journal 76: 561-564.

15- Fernandez-Aparicio M., Emeran A.A, and Rubiales D. 2008. Control of Orobanch crenata in legumes intercropping with fenugreek (Trigonella foenum Graceum). Crop protection 27:653-659.

16- Gardiner, T.R. and Craker L.E., 1979. Development and light interception in a bean-maize intercropping. Agronomy Abstracts, 102.

17- Geno, l., and Geno B. 2001. Polyculture production principles benefits and risks of multiple cropping land management systems for Australia, RIRDC.

18- Graham, P.L., Steiner J.L. and Wise A.F. 1988. Light absorbtion and competition in mixed.

19- Hussain S. A., Ali N., Rab A., and Hashmi A. 2005. Intercropping effect on growth and yield of winter vegetables. Sarhad Journal Agriculture 21(2): 345-350.

20- Jahan, M. 2004. Ecological aspects of intercropping chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) And marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) With manure. Master's thesis of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.

21- Jahani, M. 2006. Evaluation of different intercropping arrangements of cumin Vds. Master Thesis of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.

22- Jahani, M., Kocheki A., and Nasiri Mohalati M., 2008. Evaluation of different intercropping combinations cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and lentil (Lens culinaris) in low-input agricultural systems. Iranian Journal of Crop Research 6(1): 592-595 (In Persian with English Abstract).

23- Jindal, S.K. and Gupta B.S. 1984. Component analysis of yield in cowpea. The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 54: 183-185.

24- Karimi, M. And Azizi, M. 1994. Analysis of crop growth. Publications University of Mashhad.

25- Kazi, B. R., Oad F. C., Jamro G. H, Jamali L. A. and. Oad N. L. 2002. Effect of water stress on the growth, yield and oil content of sunflower. Pakistan Journal of Applied Sciences 2(5): 550—552.

26- Kocheki, A. and Soltani A. 1998. Principles and agricultural practices in arid areas. Publication of agricultural education.

27- Kocheki, A., Lalegani, B. and Najib Nia, S. 2009. Evaluation of intercropping beans and corn production. Iranian Journal of Crop Research 7(2): 20-30. (In Persian with English Abstract).

28- Kumar, A. and Singh, B. P. 2006. Effect of row ratio and phosphorus level on performance of chickpea (Cicer arientinum) –Indian mustard (Brassica Juncea) intercropping. Indian Journal of Agronomy 51:100-102.

29- Maffei, J. and Mucciarelli, M. 2003. Essential oil yield in peppermint-soybean strip-cropping. Field Crops Research 84:229-240. (In Persian with English Abstract).

30- Majnoon Hosseini, N. 2008. Agriculture and grain production. Tehran University Press, p 284.

31- Mansouri, D. 2010. Evaluation of intercropping of maize (Zea mays L.) And Seville (Glycine max (L.)) Merr. In different planting dates. Journal crop production 3(3):209-216.

32- Mazaheri, D. 1998. Agriculture mix. Tehran University Press

33- Mazaheri, D., Parsapoor S., and Peyghambari A., 2002. Study analysis of growth in agriculture, monoculture and mixture of soybean cultivars. Research and Builders: 54-37.

34- Mosavian. S., Lorzadeh SH., Ebrahimpour F and Chaab, A. 2010. Nitrogen and mixing ratio on grain yield and some morphological characteristics of corn and sunflower intercropping north of Khuzestan. Journal - Iran's research farm research, 8(4): 708-716. (In Persian with English Abstract).

35- Paolini, F., Caporali R., Campiglia F. 1991. Suitability of intercropping sunflower & chickpea in Mediteranean environment. Agricultural Mediteranean. 121(4).119-129.

36- Papendick, R.I., Sanchez D.A. and Triplet G. B. 1983. Multiple cropping. American Society of Agronomy .ASA.press.

37- Parves. A.Q., Gardner F.Q. and Boote K.J. 1989. Determinate and interminate- Type soybean cultivar responses to pattern, density and planting date. Crop Sci. 29: 150:157.

38- Prasad, R., Singh R., Sing S.and Pal, M.. 2001. Studies on intercropping potato with fenugreek. Acta Agronomica Hungarica 49(2): 189-191.

39- Rajeswara Rao, B. R. 2002. Biomass yield, essential oil yield and essential oil composition of Rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium species) as influenced by row spacing and inter cropping with cornmint (Mentha arrensis L.f. piperascens Malinv.EX Holmes). Industrial Crops and Products 16: 133-144.

40- Rezends, G.D.S.P., and M.A. Ramalho. 1994. Competitive ability of maize and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultivars intercropped in different environments. Journal of Agricultural Science 123: 185-190.

41- Rezvan Beidokhti, SH. 2004. Comparison of different combinations in mixed cropping of maize and beans. Thesis Master of Agronomy, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. (In Persian).

42- Rodrigues-Gomez O., Zavalet-Mejia E, Gonzales-Hernandez, V.A, Livera-Munoz M, and Cardenas-Soriano E. 2003. Allelophathy and microclimatic modification of intercropping with marigold on tomato early blight disease development. Field Crops Research 83:27-34.

43- Sarmdnia, Gh. And Kocheki A. 1993. Crop Physiology. (Translated) Publications Jihad Mashhad University. 468 p.

44- Sastava B.M., Lavan M., and Maina Y.T. 2004. Management of insect pests of soybean: effects of sowing date and intercropping on damage and grain yield in the Nigerian Sudan savanna. Crop Protection 23:155-161.

45- Singh, R.V. and Gupta P.C. 1993. Aggressively, competitive ratio and relative crowding coefficient of wheat and Indian mustard in mixed and intercropping systems. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 63(1): 1-3.

46- Sullivan, p. 2003. Intercropping principles and production practices (Agronomy system guide), ATTRA, Available at: http:// www.attra.ncat.org.

47- Suresha B. A., Allolli T.B, Patil M.G., Desaiand B.K, and Hussain S.A. 2007. Yield and economics of chili based intercropping system. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences 20(4): 807-809.

48- Taghizadeh, M. S. And Kochaki, A. 1995. Effects of seed and plant density on yield and yield components of soybean cultivars in intercropping. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology (2): 43-33.

49- Zaffaroni, E., A.F.M. Vasconcelos and E.B. Lopes. 1991. Evaluation of intercropping cassava/corn/bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in north Brazil. Journal of agronomy and crop science 167: 207-212.

50- Zhang, L., Vanderwerf, W., Bastiaans L., Zhang S., Li B., and. Spierts, J.H. 2008. Light interception and utilization in relay intercrops of wheat and cotton. Field Crops Research 107: 29-42.

51- Zhao, Z.N., and Ma, H.Q. 1992. Intercropping wheat with sesame in summer. Shaanxi Journal of Agricultural Sciences 3(41) Shaanxi Special Crops Research Station. Yangling, 712100 Shaanxi, China [Field Crop Absts] 47(7): 4574.