Highest Land Equivalent Ratio Research Articles

GROWTH, YIELD COMPONENTS AND COMPETITIVE INDICES OF FENNEL AND FENUGREEK AS INFLUENCED BY INTERCROPPING SYSTEM AND PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER RATE

The present study was conducted at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture (Ghazala Farm), Zagazig University, Egypt during the two seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. The effect of intercropping systems of fennel and fenugreek at ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 2:1 on alternative rows in comparison with sole cropped of each species and different phosphorus fertilization rates (0.0, 32 and 48 P2O5 kg/faddan) and their combination treatments on growth, yield components, oil production as well as some competitive indices of both tested crops. Application of phosphorus at 48 kg P2O5/faddan caused significant increase in all parameters of fennel and fenugreek over the other rates under study. Intercropping system 1:3 (fennel: fenugreek), in most cases, significantly increased the recorded growth parameters, yield components, fixed oil content of fenugreek and volatile oil yield per fennel plant as well as competitive indices of the two components in the two seasons, whereas all intercropping systems significantly decreased seed, fruit and oil yield per faddan compared to sole crop (control). In addition, from studying competitive indices, it was clear that, the high land equivalent ratio (1.137 and 1.156), area time equivalent ratio (1.013 and 1.023), land utilization efficiency (107.53% and 108.72%) and relative crowding coefficient (2.143 and 2.917) values were achieved by the combination treatment between intercropping system of one row of fennel alternating with three rows of fenugreek combined with phosphorus at a rate of 32 P2O5 kg/faddan during the first and second seasons, respectively. Generally, it could be gained from sowing one faddan, by using the intercropping pattern of 1:3 combined with phosphorus fertilization at 32 kg P2O5/faddan , the same yield which would required about 1.137 or 1.156 faddan of each crop cultivated alone. Also this treatment is economic by using small area.

Effect of intercropping sunflower with soybean at different interrow and intra-row spacing on land use efficiency

Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) and soybean ( Glycine max ) were relatively new crops of economic significance in Uganda before 1990s compared to traditional cash crops such as cotton, tea and coffee. By 2000 many smallholder farmers in the Mid-Northern Agro-ecological Zone of Uganda started planting sunflower and soybean as sources of household income. However, sunflower and soybean are planted in same piece of land using different planting patterns that may lead to differences in yields. This study evaluated the effect of inter-row and intra-row spacing on yields of sunflower and soybean intercrop. A 4 x 4 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design was used to determine performance of sunflower and soybean under four inter-row spacings (75, 90, 105 and 120 cm) and four intra-row spacings (30, 40, 50 and 60 cm) and sole sunflower and sole soybean. Under intercrop, a ratio of 1:1 sunflower/soybean was used. Sole sunflower was planted at 90 cm x 30 cm; while sole soybean was planted at 50 cm x 25 cm. Mean yields of sunflower from intercrop were 2517 and 1219 kg ha -1 , compared to 3241 and 1655 kg ha -1 from sole sunflower at Acwec Omio and Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NgeZARDI), respectively. Yield of soybean was 1100 and 2978 kg ha-1 (p<0.01), compared to 3364 and 2590 kgha -1 from sole soybean at Acwec Omio and NgeZARDI, respectively. The highest Land Equivalent Ratios (LER) were 1.29 at inter-row spacing of 90 cm between rows and 1.25 at intrarow spacing of 30 cm within rows. The lowest LER of 0.8 was from 120 cm x 60 cm spacing. An intercrop between sunflower and soybean at a spacing of 90 cm between rows and 30 cm within rows, was the most appropriate, since LER were above 1.2, an indication that land was efficiently utilized. Sunflower can be intercropped with soybean, enabling farmers to raise income by cultivating two crops in same piece of land, above all conserve the fertility of land. Keywords: Households, income, yield, LER, conserve

Performance of green gram - sesame mixed croppingin the red and lateritic zone of West Bengal

A field experiment was carried out in the red and lateritic soil of Regional Research Station, Jhargram, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya,West Bengal during the prekharif season of 2015 to evaluate the technological feasibility of mixed cropping of green gram with sesame under different seeding ratio. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments comprises for the experiment were T1-sole green gram, T2-sole sesame, T3-green gram: sesame -90:10, T4- green gram : sesame-75 : 25, T5- green gram : sesame-60 : 40 , T6 –green gram : sesame-50 : 50. Yield parameters like number branch/plant, number of pod/ plant, number of capsule/plant, pod length, number of grain per pod/capsule, grain weight etc. were studied. The highest grain yield for both crop was obtained from the sole cropping of green gram and sole sesame. The maximum land equivalent ratio(LER) of 1.18 was observed at green gram : sesame seeding ratio of 60 : 40.The highest green gram equivalent yield( 9.49 q/ha) was obtained from green gram : sesame seeding ratio of 60 : 40 . It was noticed that in all the mixed cropping systems, there was higher LER which indicates higher yield advantage over the sole crop.

Penampilan Produksi Hijauan Hasil Tumpangsari Arbila (Phaseolus lunatus) Berinokulum Rhizobium dan Sorgum (Sorghum bicolor) pada Jarak Tanam Arbila dan Jumlah Baris Sorgum

&lt;p&gt;The study was conducted to evaluate the forage production of arbila (Phaseolus lunatus) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in intercropping grown on different spacing of arbila and number row of sorghum, and was designed as completely randomized design of factorial pattern with two factors. The first factor was the spacing of arbila (J) i.e. J1 (120 cm) and J2 (180 cm). The second factor was row number of sorghum (P) i.e. P1 (1 row), P2 (2 rows), P3 (3 rows) with 3 replications. The variables were dry matter (DM) production, organic matter (OM) production, crude protein (CP)&lt;br /&gt;production of forage, and Land Equivalent Ratio (LER). The results showed that highest DM production at J1P2 and J1P3 (5.33 and 4.53 tons/ha), highest OM production at J1P2 and J1P3 (5.33 and 4.57 tons/ha), highest CP production at J1P1, J1P2 and J1P3 (0.55, 0.77, and 0.55 tons/ha), and highest LER at J1P2 and J1P3 (2.53 and 2.38). It can be concluded that the intercropping arbila and sorghum at planting space of 120 cm with 2 and 3 row of sorghums between arbilas produces the best forage production as ruminant feed.&lt;br /&gt;Key words: Phaseolus lunatus, Sorghum bicolor, intercropping, spasing, row number, forage&lt;/p&gt;

Penampilan Produksi Hijauan Hasil Tumpangsari Arbila (Phaseolus lunatus) Berinokulum Rhizobium dan Sorgum (Sorghum bicolor) pada Jarak Tanam Arbila dan Jumlah Baris Sorgum

&lt;p&gt;The study was conducted to evaluate the forage production of arbila (Phaseolus lunatus) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in intercropping grown on different spacing of arbila and number row of sorghum, and was designed as completely randomized design of factorial pattern with two factors. The first factor was the spacing of arbila (J) i.e. J1 (120 cm) and J2 (180 cm). The second factor was row number of sorghum (P) i.e. P1 (1 row), P2 (2 rows), P3 (3 rows) with 3 replications. The variables were dry matter (DM) production, organic matter (OM) production, crude protein (CP)&lt;br /&gt;production of forage, and Land Equivalent Ratio (LER). The results showed that highest DM production at J1P2 and J1P3 (5.33 and 4.53 tons/ha), highest OM production at J1P2 and J1P3 (5.33 and 4.57 tons/ha), highest CP production at J1P1, J1P2 and J1P3 (0.55, 0.77, and 0.55 tons/ha), and highest LER at J1P2 and J1P3 (2.53 and 2.38). It can be concluded that the intercropping arbila and sorghum at planting space of 120 cm with 2 and 3 row of sorghums between arbilas produces the best forage production as ruminant feed.&lt;br /&gt;Key words: Phaseolus lunatus, Sorghum bicolor, intercropping, spasing, row number, forage&lt;/p&gt;

Broiler litter and inorganic fertilizer effects on seed yield and productivity of buckwheat and fenugreek in row intercropping

ABSTRACTWe present data of a 2 years field experiment on influence of intercropping and N source on yield and yield components of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)–buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) intercrops. The experiment was conducted at the research farm, College of Agriculture, Shahrekord, Iran during 2014 and 2015. Treatments included sole cropping of fenugreek (F), sole cropping of buckwheat (B), and three intercropping ratios. Second factor was N fertilizer type: mineral chemical fertilizer (CF) or broiler litter (BL). Intercropping improved yield of fenugreek and buckwheat compared with sole cropping and BL was the more effective fertilizer especially in intercrops. Fenugreek and buckwheat in intercrops used available environmental resources for increasing pods plant−1, seeds pod−1, 1000-seed weight, and harvest index (HI) (for fenugreek) and clusters plant−1 and 1000-seed weight (for buckwheat) compared to the respective sole crops in both years. The resulting land equivalent ratios (LERs) of intercrops varied from 0.99 to 1.72 and the highest LER was observed in F:B = 2:1 treated with BL. This study shows a potential yield benefit of fenugreek–buckwheat intercropping under semiarid growing conditions when planting fenugreek and buckwheat at a ratio of 2:1, respectively, and applying BL compared with sole cropping with inorganic fertilizer application.

Evaluation of the effects of saffron–cumin intercropping on growth, quality and land equivalent ratio under semi-arid conditions

Proper rows arrangement in an intercropping system is an important factor for reducing interference between plants and better absorption of environmental resources. Effects of saffron–cumin intercropping based on replacement series on growth, yield, quality and total land equivalent ratio (LERT) was studied as two-year field experiment based on a randomized complete blocks design arranged in factorial with three replicates at Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, during 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 growing seasons. Different planting densities of saffron (low, medium and high equal to 64, 128, 256 corms m−2, respectively) and saffron–cumin intercropping (in proportion of 100–0, 75–25, 50–50, 25–75 and 0–100) were considered as the first and the second experimental factors, respectively. Based on the results, interaction between saffron planting density and saffron–cumin ratio was significant on flower number and dried stigma yield. However, crocin, picrocrocin and safranal were not affected by saffron planting density and intercropping ratios or their interaction. In each intercropping ratio, flower number and dried stigma yield increased with increasing saffron planting density. In the first and second year, reduction in cumin ratio in intercropping decreased cumin grain and essential oil yields. Nonetheless, saffron–cumin intercropping could partly compensate yield loss. For instance, in the second year, cumin yield in 50% saffron+50% cumin treatment was found to be 23.33% less than cumin monoculture treatment. In both years of the experiment, the highest LERT was observed in 50% saffron+50% cumin treatment. Hence, this ratio along with high planting density of saffron (256 corms m−2) is recommended for saffron and cumin intercropping.

Sidedress Nitrogen Application Rates to Sorghum Intercropped with Tropical Perennial Grasses

Intercropping sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] with tropical perennial grasses and using the appropriate rate of sidedress N application can maximize grain yield (GY) and revenue and can improve land‐use efficiency (LUE). The effects of monocropped sorghum (MS) or sorghum intercropped with palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu; SPG) or guineagrass (Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça; SGG) and sidedress N application rates of 0, 50, 100, and 200 kg ha−1 on leaf nutrient concentration, sorghum GY, revenue, and LUE were investigated during three growing seasons at Botucatu, SP, Brazil, on a clay, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Haplorthox. The SGG treatment had lower leaf N, P, and K concentrations and lower 1000‐grain weight, shoot dry matter, and GY than MS and SPG at all sidedress N rates; MS and SPG at 200 kg ha−1 of sidedress N resulted in greater sorghum GYs (3.80 and 3.81 Mg ha−1, respectively). The forage dry matter production (FDMP) and crude protein of tropical perennial grasses were higher as a function of the sidedress N rate. The SGG treatment resulted in negative net profits for all sidedress N rates. The MS and SPG treatments (independent of sidedress N rates) resulted in similar net profits (approximately US$85 and $60 ha−1, respectively). The SPG treatment using 200 kg ha−1 of sidedress N resulted in a higher land equivalent ratio and relative N yield (1.27 and 123%, respectively) than SGG (0.96 and 107%, respectively). The SPG treatment with 200 kg ha−1 of sidedress N is the best option for increasing sorghum GY, revenue, and FDMP from autumn to part of the spring and for improving LUE.

Effect of Intercropping Greengram and Blackgram in Sesame for Augmenting the Productivity and Rain Water Use Efficiency Under Rainfed Upland Condition

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2010, 2011 and 2012 at the research farm of All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture, Biswanath College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Biswanath Chariali with the objectives to find out the feasibility of intercropping green gram and black gram in sesame. The experiment was conducted with 11 treatments (T1-Sesame Sole, T2-Green gram Sole, T3-Black gram Sole, T4-Sesame + Greengram (1: 1), T5-Sesame + Greengram (2: 1), T6 Sesame + Greengram (2: 2), T7-Sesame + Greengram (3: 1), T8-Sesame + Blackgram (1: 1), T9-Sesame + Blackgram (2: 1), T10-Sesame + Blackgram (2: 2), T11-Sesame + Blackgram (3: 1).) in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Considering the sesame as base crop, sesame, greengram and blackgram were sown simultaneously as per treatment during post kharif seasons (Mid August-Mid September). It was observed that intercropping of sesame in green gram and blackgram had significantly superior value in respect of the Sesame Equivalent Yield (SEY), Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Rain Water Use Efficiency (RWUE) net return and B: C ratio. From the pooled data of three years, the highest SEY (13.85q/ha) was recorded by T8-Sesame + blackgram (1: 1) followed by Sesame + Greengram (2: 2) and Sesame + blackgram (2: 1). The highest LER (1.42), RWUE (7.42kg/ha/mm), Net return (39, 374/ha) and B: C ratio(4.40) was also recorded in Sesame + Blackgram (1: 1).

Temporal niche differentiation increases the land equivalent ratio of annual intercrops: A meta-analysis

Sustainable intensification of agriculture is needed to meet higher future food demands while mitigating agriculture’s ecological footprint. Intercropping is a strategy for increasing agricultural productivity per unit land that is based on ecological mechanisms for improved resource capture. No quantitative synthesis has been made on the effect of intercrop system properties and species trait combinations on intercrop productivity. Here we use meta-analysis of the intercropping literature to study how the productivity of mixed systems is affected by intercrop system design and species traits. We focus on the effects of temporal niche differentiation between species, intercropping pattern, relative densities, the use of C3 and C4 species and the rate of nitrogen fertilizer. Land equivalent ratio (LER) is used as index for assessing the relative productivity of a mixed system as compared to sole crops. Average LER was 1.22±0.02, and no differences in LER were found between the 50 most highly cited studies and a random sample from the literature, indicating that high LERs in highly cited papers are representative of the entire literature. Temporal niche differentiation contributed substantially to high LER in systems combining a C3 and C4 species, but not in systems based on C3 species mixtures. The amount of N fertilizer interacted positively with the effect of temporal niche differentiation on LER. The intercropping literature is dominated by studies on cereal/legume mixtures. However, the few studies on C3 cereal/C4 cereal mixtures indicate these mixtures have high LER.Substantial improvements in land use efficiency in agriculture may be obtained by using mixtures, particularly C3/C4 mixtures. Thus, enhanced within-field crop diversity can make an important contribution to sustainable increases in food production.

The intercropping common bean with maize improves the rhizobial efficiency, resource use and grain yield under low phosphorus availability

In order to better understand how mixed crop cultures mitigate stressful conditions, this study aims to highlight the beneficial effect of the intercropping legume-cereal in enhancing soil phosphorus (P) availability for plant growth and productivity in a P-deficient soil of a northern Algerian agroecosystem. To address this question, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. El Djadida) and maize (Zea mays L. cv. Filou), were grown as sole- and inter-crops in two experimental sites; S1 (P-deficient) and S2 (P-sufficient) during two growing seasons (2011 and 2012). Growth, nodulation and grain yield were assessed and correlated with the rhizosphere soil P availability. Results showed that P availability significantly increased in the rhizosphere of both species, especially in intercropping under the P-deficient soil conditions. This increase was associated with high efficiency in use of the rhizobial symbiosis (high correlation between plant biomass and nodulation), plant growth and resource (nitrogen (N) and P) use efficiency as indicated by higher land equivalent ratio (LER > 1) and N nutrition index (for maize) in intercropping over sole cropping treatments. Moreover, the rhizosphere P availability and nodule biomass were positively correlated (r2 = 0.71, p < 0.01 and r2 = 0.62, p < 0.01) in the intercropped common bean grown in the P-deficient soil during 2011 and 2012. The increased P availability presumably improved biomass and grain yield in intercropping, though it mainly enhanced grain yield in intercropped maize. Our findings suggest that modification in the intercropped common bean rhizosphere-induced parameters facilitated P uptake, plant biomass and grain yield for the intercropped maize under P-deficiency conditions.

Evaluation of maize (Zea mays) based intercropping for productivity, resource-use efficiency and competition indices in the rainfed foothills of northwest Himalayas

A three-year (2009-2011) field experiment was conducted to study competitive behaviour of maize (Zea mays L.)+ legume/oilseed based additive series paired-row intercropping at the Punjab Agricultural University's Regional Research Station for Kandi Area, Ballowal Saunkhri. The experiment comprised 10 treatments viz. 4 sole plantings of maize, blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Wilczek], greengram (Vigna radiata L.) and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) each, and six intercropping treatments. Among two planting patterns, 100 maize:33 intercrop mix proportion proved superior for maize yield than 100:67 for all the intercrops. The productivity (3.07 tonnes/ha) and sustainability yield index (0.69) were highest when 1 row of greengram was intercropped with maize (2 M:1 G). Inclusion of legumes in intercropping improved both production and rain water use efficiencies with definite yield and economic advantage. The higher land equivalent ratio (1.27) and relative crowing coefficient (20.4) values for 2 M:1 G planting pattern indicated more efficient benefits and maximum maize yield advantage. As per values of aggressivity, greengram (2 rows) proved most competitive (±0.0005) while sesame (2 rows) least competitive (±0.0046) to maize. Among intercrops, the competitive ratio was highest (1.42) for greengram followed by blackgram in both the planting patterns. 2 M:1 G provided 9.8% (actual yield loss=+0.098) yield gain as compared to sole cropping. In the maize+greengram planting patterns, area time equivalent ratio values indicated yield advantages in the range of 19% for 2 M: 1G and 17% for 2 M:2 G. Thus, inclusion of legumes (especially greengram) in maize culture system can achieve a sustainable and economic yield advantage along with shorter system duration compared to their monocultures.

Effects of Intra-Row Spacing of Sesame (&lt;i&gt;Sesamum indicum&lt;/i&gt; L.) and Frequency of Weeding on Yields of Maize-Sesame Intercrop in Makurdi, Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted from July to October, during 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons, at the Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria, to evaluate the effects of intra-row spacing of sesame and frequency of weeding on yields of maize-sesame intercrop. The trial was a 3 x 3 factorial experiment fitted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Nine of the treatments consisted of intercropped maize with sesame sown at the intra-row spacing of 10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm, and at the varied weeding frequencies: maize-sesame intercrop sown on plots weeded once (1x) at 3 weeks after planting (WAP); maize-sesame intercrop sown on plots weeded twice (2x) at 3 and 6 WAP; maize-sesame intercrop sown on plots not weeded (NW). Sole sesame and sole maize respectively sown at their recommended intra-row spacing of 10 cm and 30 cm and at their recommended frequency of weeding (2x at 3 and 6 WAP) constituted the tenth and eleventh treatments, which also served as control plots. The results obtained showed that in a maize-sesame intercrop, increasing intra-row spacing of sesame up to 20 cm, on plots weeded 2x at 3 and 6 WAP, significantly (P≤0.05) produced the highest intercrop yields of maize and sesame. This level of treatment not only recorded the lowest competitive pressure, but gave the highest total intercrop yields, highest land equivalent coefficient values (1.01 and 1.13 respectively, in years 2012 and 2013), indicating the highest yield advantage, and highest land equivalent ratio (LER) values of 2.11 and 2.25 respectively recorded for years 2012 and 2013. With these LER values, 52.6 % and 55.6 % of land were respectively saved in years 2012 and 2013, which could be used for other agricultural purposes. The implication of study showed that, to maximize intercrop yields of maize and sesame in a maize-sesame intercrop, the appropriate intra-row spacing for sesame is 20 cm, while the optimal frequency of weeding is 2x at 3 and 6 WAP. This should therefore, be recommended for Makurdi location, Nigeria.

Effects of Intra-Row Spacing of Sesame (&lt;i&gt;Sesamum indicum&lt;/i&gt; L.) and Frequency of Weeding on Yields of Maize-Sesame Intercrop in Makurdi, Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted from July to October, during 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons, at the Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria, to evaluate the effects of intra-row spacing of sesame and frequency of weeding on yields of maize-sesame intercrop. The trial was a 3 x 3 factorial experiment fitted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Nine of the treatments consisted of intercropped maize with sesame sown at the intra-row spacing of 10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm, and at the varied weeding frequencies: maize-sesame intercrop sown on plots weeded once (1x) at 3 weeks after planting (WAP); maize-sesame intercrop sown on plots weeded twice (2x) at 3 and 6 WAP; maize-sesame intercrop sown on plots not weeded (NW). Sole sesame and sole maize respectively sown at their recommended intra-row spacing of 10 cm and 30 cm and at their recommended frequency of weeding (2x at 3 and 6 WAP) constituted the tenth and eleventh treatments, which also served as control plots. The results obtained showed that in a maize-sesame intercrop, increasing intra-row spacing of sesame up to 20 cm, on plots weeded 2x at 3 and 6 WAP, significantly (P≤0.05) produced the highest intercrop yields of maize and sesame. This level of treatment not only recorded the lowest competitive pressure, but gave the highest total intercrop yields, highest land equivalent coefficient values (1.01 and 1.13 respectively, in years 2012 and 2013), indicating the highest yield advantage, and highest land equivalent ratio (LER) values of 2.11 and 2.25 respectively recorded for years 2012 and 2013. With these LER values, 52.6 % and 55.6 % of land were respectively saved in years 2012 and 2013, which could be used for other agricultural purposes. The implication of study showed that, to maximize intercrop yields of maize and sesame in a maize-sesame intercrop, the appropriate intra-row spacing for sesame is 20 cm, while the optimal frequency of weeding is 2x at 3 and 6 WAP. This should therefore, be recommended for Makurdi location, Nigeria.

Productivity, Profitability, and Energy Consumption of Potato-Based Intercropping Systems

ABSTRACTIntercropping potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) with suitable crops might improve yield and profit for small-scale producers. Effective energy use in subsistence agriculture is necessary for sustainable production because it provides financial savings and preserves resources. Potato was intercropped with radish (Raphanus sativus L.) or spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and each component was also grown in monocrop, in a field experiment during Sept. 2008–Jan. 2009 under irrigation. Intercropping radish and spinach with potato increased potato equivalent yield over monocropped potato. Potato + spinach had a higher land equivalent ratio (1.78) and area time equivalent ratio (1.29) than the potato + radish intercrop, which had a higher relative net return (3.28) and benefit : cost ratio (6.38). Monocropped radish had the highest net energy return, energy ratio, energy productivity, and energy profitability. Potato + radish had higher energy input and output and energy intensiveness than other cropping systems. Radish and spinach can be intercropped with potato for efficient use of land and higher economic return; monocropped radish may be more profitable and energy efficient than other crop combinations.

Compatibility of Jatropha Curcas with Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cv. Obatampa in a Hedgerow Intercropping System Grown on Ferric Acrisols

Skeptics are talking about the impact of the biofuel crop on food production. It is important that the compatibility of Jatropha curcas in agroforestry systems is investigated to provide answers to some of these problems being advanced. The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three hedgerow spacings of 2 m x 1 m, 3 m x 1m, 4 m x 1 m of Jatropha curcas and a control (No hedgerow) was used to lay out the experiment. This was replicated 3 times. The study showed that in the second year, plant height and plant diameter at first node differed significantly between the treatments. Maximum stover weight was 11.9 tons/ha and 7.5 tons/ha in the first and second year respectively for 4 m x 1 m spacing. Generally yields were lower in the second year in all the treatments compared to the first year. Maximum grain yield of maize was 4.47 tons/ha and 2.99 tons/ha in the first and second year respectively at the control treatment. Chemical properties of the soil did not record any significant decline after two years of cultivation. pH, organic Carbon, total nitrogen, organic matter, exchangeable cations, total exchangeable bases, exchangeable acid and base saturation did not show significant difference between the treatments. The highest Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) of 1.6 and 1.2 was recorded at 4 m x 1 m for both years, making it the most suitable plant spacing for Jatropha curcas with maize.

The Evaluation of Corn and Peanut Intercropping on Efficiency of Use the Environmental Resource and Soil Fertility

Order to study the effect of density, the control weed and various proportion corn (704 Variety) and peanut (Goli Variety) intercropping an experiment was conducted in 2012 in Research station of agriculture, University of Zabol. The experiment design was factorial in randomized complete block design with three replications. Experiment factors consisted of planting proportions in 4 levels (sole crop of corn, 50% corn + 50% peanut, 100% corn + 100% peanut and sole crop of peanut), control weed in 3 levels (non-weeding, once-weeding and twice-weeding) and the space between rows in 2 level (40 and 50 cm) has been considered. The evaluated Characteristics in environmental sources are (Photosynthetic Active Radiation, Temperature and soil Moisture), the nutrients of soil include (N, K, Na, Mg, Ca, and C) and to evaluate intercropping of pure was used land equivalent ratio and economical yield. All Characteristics of study were affected by planting system.There was significant interaction between planting system, weeding and density in the absorption of light, temperature and moisture of soil. The results showed that photosynthesis active radiation absorbed by the intercropping was higher than sole crop in both plants. The results showed that changes in soil nutrient capacity of single elements (Na and K) in the treatment of mixed and monoculture peanut was more than monoculture corn and divalent elements (Ca and Mg) in mixed and monoculture corn more than mixed replacement and peanut monoculture. The highest land equivalent ratio (1.048) was accounted additive intercropping. Generally the mixed cultures with increasing density and control weed caused increase soil fertility and amount of soil nutrients after harvest. Treatment 100% Corn +100% peanut was the best treatment because using sources and increasing soil fertility and crop yield in comparison to sole crop.

Forage Yield and Botanical Composition of Mixtures of Some Perennial Warm Season Grasses with Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Under Mediterranean Condi

This research was conducted to determine forage yield and botanical composition of duo (alfalfa + one grass) and trio ( alfalfa + two grasses) mixtures of some warm season perennial grass species such as dallis grass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana L.) and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) with alfalfa as well as their pure sowings under irrigated conditions of Mediterranean during the years of 2009-2011. In the study, green herbage yield, dry matter yield, botanical composition and land equivalent ratio (LER) were determined. The experimental design was completely randomized block design with three replications. According to the results, it was determined that the ratios of warm season grasses in the botanical composition of the mixtures declined with the establishment age while rate of alfalfa in the botanical composition of the mixtures increased. The mixtures gave higher dry matter yield than pure sowings of the species. The highest green herbage yield (68.44 t ha-1) was obtained from the mixture of alfalfa + Rhodes grass. The highest dry matter yield (15.40 t ha-1) was obtained from the mixture of alfalfa + Bermuda grass + Rhodes grass. The highest alfalfa proportion (50.0%) was obtained from the mixture of alfalfa + Bermuda grass. The highest LER (1.63) was obtained from mixture of alfalfa + dallis grass

Forage yield improvement at proper ratio and seed density of smooth vetch and barley mix cropping under cold rain-fed conditions

The mixing ratios of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cv. Abidar and smooth vetch (Vicia dasycarpa L.) cv. Maragheh were studied at Dryland Agricultural Research Institute under cold rain-fed conditions during 2009–2011 growing seasons. The mix cropping treatments comprised of pure vetch, vetch with barley at 3:1, vetch with barley at 1:1 seeding ratio and pure barley. There was one seeding rate (100 seeds m−2) for barley and five different seeding rates of vetch including 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 seeds m−2 (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5). Higher dry matter (DM) yields were obtained across different seed rates for the vetch mixtures than related monocultures. The highest DM and the lowest protein content over years were obtained from pure barley. The combination of vetch with barley at 1:1 seeding ratio in the D2 density produced 16 ton ha−1 dry forage and 1 ton ha−1 protein. The highest land equivalent ratio over two years (1.44) was belonged to mixture of vetch with barley at 3:1 ratio in D5 seeding rate. It was concluded that, mixture of vetch with barley at 1:1 seeding ratio in D5 smooth vetch density was the best mixing ratio and seed density regarding both forage quality and quantity under cold rain-fed conditions.

Evaluation of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) based Intercropping Systems under Semi-arid Vertisol in Scarcity Zone of Maharashtra

A field experiment was conducted during kharif for five years (2008 to 2012) at All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture centre, Solapur to evaluate pigeonpea based intercropping systems under Vertisols in scarcity zone of Maharashtra. Among pigeonpea based intercropping systems, pigeonpea + groundnut (1:3) was found superior with mean maximum pigeonpea equivalent yield 1425 kg/ha and mean maximum rainwater use efficiency of 3.19 kg/ha-mm compared to other intercropping systems across five years and also gave mean maximum net returns of 30,307/ha. Further, this intercropping system also recorded relatively higher land equivalent ratio of 1.29 indicating yield advantage of 29% compared to sole crops.