Yields of maize (Zea mays l.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea l.) in intercropping system treated by bokashi plus fertilizer under early growth of teak plantation in Napabalano District, Muna Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

The main objective of this paper was to describe and to analyse the effects of improved agroforestry system through the use of biotechnology bokashi plus fertilizer on the yields of intercropped maize and peanut characteristics in order to maintain biological diversity in agriculture simile forestry ecosystem and to improve the agriculture production to meet human needs in Lambiku, Pentiro and Bonea villages, Napabalano District, Muna Regency. Biotechnology bokashi plus fertilizer produced by local farmers. Three locations as the demonstration plot at the farmers land was selected to search the growth and yields performances of intercropped maize and peanut under improved agroforestry system of early growth of teak trees treated by the application of various doses of bokashi plus fertilizer. Closed canopy resulted in improved agroforestry practice might contribute to prevent direct rain precipitation to soil and decrease soil erosion as well as to maintain biological diversity. The yields of maize and peanut were recorded and analysed using analyses of variances (ANOVA). The results showed that the higher doses of biotechnology bokashi plus fertilizer produce the higher yields of maize and peanut at one to two years of teak plantation trees, while the further age of teak trees, the suppress the growth and yields performances of maize and peanut if there was no pruning of teak branches and leaves occurred. This was indicated that improved agroforestry system through the arrangement of intercropped maize and peanut under early growth of teak trees might sustain agricultural crops production for maize and peanut yields.