Effect of Intercropping of Sesbania rostrata with Transplant Aman Rice on Yield and Profitability

Abstract

The effect of intercropping of Sesbania rostrata with Transplant Aman rice on yield and profitability was determined at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from July to December 2009. The experiment consisted of five treatments viz.; i) intercropping Sesbania in between two rows of rice, ii) intercropping Sesbania in two rows interval of rice , iii) intercropping Sesbania around the rice field, iv) sole rice and v) sole Sesbania rostrata. The results revealed that rice grain yield decreased to a significant level by Sebania intercropping compared to sole rice which varied from 11.43 to 28.21%, with the maximum (28.21%) by intercropping Sesbania in between two rows of rice followed by intercropping Sesbania in two rows interval of rice (12.5%) against the minimum (11.43%) by intercropping Sesbania around the rice field. In terms of total rice grain yield equivalent (TRGYE), the highest TRGYE (6.88 ton ha -1 ) was recorded for the treatment of intercropping Sesbania in two rows interval of rice followed by intercropping Sesbania in between two rows of rice (6.00 ton ha -1 ) and intercropping Sesbania around the rice field (5.87 ton ha -1 ) against the minimum (5.60 ton ha -1 ) for sole rice clearly indicating yield advantages of intercropping over monocropping of rice. Similarly the net field benefits obtained from different intercropping systems were considerably higher than the sole cropping of rice. The maximum net benefit of Tk.73531 ha -1 was recorded for intercropping Sesbania in two rows interval of rice which is 26.68% more than sole rice (Tk. 59620 ha -1 ).