INFLUENCES OF RIDGE WIDTH AND INTERCROPPING ONION WITH FABA BEAN ON BULB YIELD AND COMEPTITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

The study was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2013/14 and 2014/15 at the farm of Sers El-Lyan Agricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, El – Menofiya Governorate, Egypt to identify and assess the suitable pattern of intercropping onion with faba bean for increasing land usage and profitability of farmers. The treatments between three ridge widths (60, 90 and 120 cm) and ten cropping systems (100% faba bean + 27% onion, 100% faba bean + 33% onion, 100% faba bean + 41% onion, 100% faba bean + 55% onion, sole faba bean 'recommended', sole faba bean 'I', sole faba bean 'II', sole onion 'recommended', sole onion 'I' and sole onion 'II') were studied. The experimental layout was conducted in split plot design with three replications by allocating the ridge widths in the main- plots and cropping systems in the sub-plots. Sub-plot area consisted of (12 ridges-60 cm width or 8 ridges-90 cm width and 6 ridges-120 cm apart) and 3 meters long. The results showed that’ higher bulb diameter was obtained, followed by 90 cm ridge width. On the other hand, the closest ridge width gave the lowest bulb diameter. The highest total weight of the plant, average bulb weight and bulbs yield/fad were obtained under the widest ridge width, followed by 90 cm ridge width. Sole onion had the highest number of leaves per plant, bulbs length and diameter, total weight of the plant, bulb weight and blubs yield per fad compared to those of intercropping patterns. The maximum number of leaves per plant, bulbs length and diameter, total weight of the plant and bulb weight were obtained by intercropping pattern 100% faba bean + 27% onion; Meanwhile’ the highest bulbs yield per fad was recorded by intercropping pattern 100% faba bean + 55% onion. The interaction between ridge widths and cropping systems was significant for most onion traits. Maximum relative yield of onion and land equivalent ratio were obtained by intercropping pattern 100% faba bean + 55% onion of ridge width 120 cm. On the other side, maximum relative crowding coefficient (RCC) was obtained by intercropping pattern 100% faba bean + 27% onion of ridge width 120 cm. The results indicate that’ the value of aggressivity of faba bean was positive for all treatments, while, the values of aggressivity were negative for all intercropped onion with faba bean in both seasons. Intercropping pattern 100% faba bean + 55% onion of ridge width 120 cm achieved the highest bulbs yield and economic return.