Effect of Intra-Row Spacing and Cropping System with Sugar Beet on Growth,Yield and Quality of Two Garlic Cultivars

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Sakha Horticulture Research Station, Kafr El- Sheikh Governorate Egypt, during winter seasons of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 to study the effect of two garlic cultivars, two intra-row spacing and three intercropping systems addition sole were used on growth, yield and quality of garlic and sugar beet, as well as to evaluate land equivalent ratio (LER) and economic return under different combinations. Variety Geloria sugar beet (a mono-germ variety) was used as the main crop. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design. Main plots contained garlic cultivars (Balady cv. and Sids-40 cv.), sub plots were devoted to intra-row spacing (10 cm and 15 cm) and subsub plots were assigned to intercropping system (one garlic row, two garlic rows and three garlic rows), pure stand of sugar beet and also pure stand of garlic. Results indicated that Balady cv. was surpasses Sids-40 of germination %, plant height, bulb diameter and clove number. Moreover, Sids-40 cv. gave the highest values for all the other studied characteristics (leaves number, fresh and cured bulb weight, clove weight and total yield per fed.) in two seasons. The 15 cm intra-row spacing superior over the 10 cm intra-row spacing in most characteristics. Also, one garlic row resulted the highest improvement of all characteristics except total yield per feddan of garlic and sugar beet. However, the pure stand of garlic and sugar beet had the highest values of total yield fed-1 and its components in comparison to intercropping system. The highest LER were obtained from Balady cv. at 10 cm intrarow spacing with three garlic rows, followed by the same cultivar at 15 cm intra- row spacing with two rows (1.55 and 1.51), respectively, as mean of both seasons. The highest net income was obtained from Sids-40 cv. (20052 L.E.) followed by Balady cv.(19355L.E) at 15cm intra row spacing with two rows as mean of both two seasons.