Effects of Baby Corn Density on the Crop and Weed Performance under Different Maize-Soybean Intercropping Systems

Nguyen Thi Loan,Pham Van An,Thieu Thi Phong Thu,Tran Thi Thiem

doi:10.31817/vjas.2021.4.2.02

Nguyen Thi Loan, Pham Van An + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.31817/vjas.2021.4.2.02

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Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effects of baby corn density on the crop and weed performance under two different maize-soybean intercropping systems. Treatments included four baby corn densities (D1= 138,888 plants ha-1, D2 = 111,111 plants ha-1, D3 = 92,592 plants ha-1, and D4 = 79,365 plants ha-1), and three intercropping methods (P0 = a sole cropping of baby corn, P1 = 1 row of soybean + 1 row of baby corn (density of soybean, 10 plant m-2), and P2 = 2 rows of soybean + 1 row of baby corn (density of soybean, 20 plants m-2)). Physiological characteristics and yield were measured for the baby corn and soybean. The weed species, weed frequency, and the growth of the weeds were recorded at the final harvesting time of the baby corn. The results showed that the yield of soybean and the growth of the weeds were statistically different under the different maize-soybean intercropping systems. Increasing the baby corn density increased the leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, and cob yield, but did not have a clear effect on the soybean yield under both intercropping methods. In addition, the P2 intercropping method produced significantly higher soybean yield and gave better results of weed growth reduction in comparison with the P1 intercropping method. In the P2 intercropping method, baby corn should be grown at a density of 111,111 plants ha-1 to optimize the population productivity and achieve reasonable weed control for the sustainability of agriculture.

Highlights

IntroductionWith the increasing number of health concerns, people around the world, nowadays, are looking for quality and safe agricultural products
In the P2 intercropping method, baby corn should be grown at a density of 111,111 plants ha-1 to optimize the population productivity and achieve reasonable weed control for the sustainability of agriculture
Baby corn (Zea may L.) refers to a healthy and safe vegetable. It is free from the residual effects of pesticides as it is Effects of baby corn density on the crop and weed performance under different maize-soybean intercropping systems harvested within a week of tassel emergence and the young cob is wrapped up tightly within the husk and well protected from pests (Dar et al, 2017)

Summary

Introduction

With the increasing number of health concerns, people around the world, nowadays, are looking for quality and safe agricultural products. Baby corn (Zea may L.) refers to a healthy and safe vegetable It is free from the residual effects of pesticides as it is Effects of baby corn density on the crop and weed performance under different maize-soybean intercropping systems harvested within a week of tassel emergence and the young cob is wrapped up tightly within the husk and well protected from pests (Dar et al, 2017). Baby corn is the immature corn and the entirely edible cobs are normally harvested just before fertilization when they are 2-3cm long at the silk emergence stage It is becoming prominent worldwide as a high-value crop due to its high nutritive values with 13% potassium, 14% B6 riboflavin, 17% vitamin C, and 11% fiber per four ounces (Fakir & Islam, 2008), delicious taste, and very large demand by foreign tourists. Non-chemical methods to control weeds have been studied in corn, including management of cover plants and increased corn planting densities (Tavella et al, 2014)

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