Effect of Maize Plant Density, Compost and Sulfur on Productivity of Intercropped Maize and Tomato and some Soil Properties

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Farm, EL- Gemmeiza Agricultural Research Station, El-Gharbia Governorate, ARC, during the two seasons 2019 and 2020 to study the effect of maize plant density (10, 12 and 14 thousand plant fed-1), compost and sulfur on some soil physical and hydro physical properties and productivityof intercropped yellow maize with tomato and net economic return. A split- plot design in randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. The main-plots were assigned to the three plant densities (D1, 100% tomato + 50% maize ; D2, 100% tomato + 60% maize ; D3, 100% tomato + 70% maize) under different intercropping patterns. The sub-plots were allocated for soil conditioners (compost, sulfur and compost + sulfur as well as recommended doses of NPK).The results revealed that the maximum values of the all traits of maize and tomato were obtained when high plant density (D3) with compost + sulfur in both seasons. The lowest soil bulk density and settling percentage values and the highest total porosity ,void ratio and pore size distribution values were recorded with the high plant density (D3) and compost + sulfur in both seasons. Soil hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture characters were increased in all treatments at the two soil depths in both seasons compared with the sole planting of maize or tomato. The high plant density (D3) with compost + sulfur gave the highest values of water use efficiency, LER, ATER, LEC, MAI and Net economic return in both seasons.