Intra-row Spacing Research Articles

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

Effect of plant spacing and variety on weed and performance of orange-fleshed sweet potato in humid agro-ecological zone of Nigeria

Among the crops grown in the tropics, sweet potato ranks second after cassava. Field research was conducted at the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, south-eastern Nigeria, to evaluate the response of orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties to intra-row spacing. Treatments included four varieties (Umuspo 1, Umuspo 3, Ex-Igbariam and Ex-Oyunga) and three intra – row spacings (20, 30 and 40 cm). Weed density and growth decreased, but sweetpotato leaf area index (LAI), fresh shoot biomass and storage root yield increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) at the closer spacing (20 cm) than at the wider spacings (30 and 40 cm). Umuspo 1 had higher LAI and shoot biomass; and suppressed weeds more than other varieties. Also, storage root yield of Umuspo 1 (27.2t/ha) was significantly higher than that of Umuspo 3, Ex-Igbariam and Ex-Oyunga by 35, 103 and 325%, respectively.Keywords: Plant spacing, variety, yield, orange-fleshed, sweet potato, Nigeria

English

Bombay Red&rsquo; is one of the most widely used onion cultivars in Ethiopia. Seed production of this cultivar is expanding among farmers. However, various constraints are reported for the low seed productivity of this cultivar, out of which inappropriate uses of bulb size and intra-row spacing are the most important ones. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Bati Futo watershed, Meskan Wereda, Southern Ethiopia under supplemental irrigation in 2012 to find out optimum bulb size and intra-row spacing for quality and economically feasible seed production of the cultivar. The crop was grown in factorial combinations of four different bulb sizes (3-4.0,4.1-5.0, 5.1-6.0 and 6.1-7.0 cm) and four intra-row spacings (10, 15, 20 and 25 cm) in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that significantly highest value of days to 50% bolting (27 and 28 days), days to 50% flowering (75 and 81 days), days to 50% maturity (123 and 124 days), number of leaves per plant (37 and 36), biomass (130 and 146 g/plant), flower stalk height (84 and 74 cm), flower stalk diameter (1.62 and 1.75 cm), umbel diameter (5.52 and 5.82 cm), number of umbels per plant (11 and 10), number of umbels per plot (854 and 1016), 1000-seed weight (4.50 and 4.35 g) and seed germination percentage (92 and 91 %) were obtained from bulbs of 6.1 to 7 cm size and 25 cm intra-row spacing, respectively. However, the maximum (2.05 and 1.80) leaf area index was obtained at 6.1 to 7 cm bulb size and 20 cm spacing, respectively. The interaction effects of bulb size and intra-row spacing on number of seeds per umbel, weight of seeds per umbel, seed yield per plant and seed yield per hectare were significant. Significantly higher seed yield (920 to 995 kg/ha) was obtained at the larger bulb size (5.1 to 7 cm) grown at 20 and 25 cm spacing. The highest net field benefits of 245,678 Ethiopian Birr ha-1 was obtained from a bulb of 5.1-6.0 cm sizes grown at 20 cm spacing. Hence, for quality and economically feasible seed yield of onion, the treatment combination of 5.1 to 6.0 cm bulb size and 20 cm spacing is recommended to the farmers at Bati Futo watershed. &nbsp; Key words: Bulb size, intra-row spacing, onion seed production.

Weed growth and crop yield responses to tillage and mulching under different crop rotation sequences in semi‐arid conditions

AbstractConservation agriculture (CA) is thought to reduce weed pressure from the third year of adoption, when recommended practices are followed. Weed growth and crop yield were assessed during the third and fourth year of maize–cowpea–sorghum rotation, second and third year of maize–cowpea rotation and first and second year of maize monocropping on a clay loam soil at Matopos Research Station (annual rainfall, 573 mm) following recommended CA management practices. Each experiment had a split‐plot randomized complete block design with mouldboard plough (CONV), minimum tillage (MT) with ripper tine and planting basins as main‐plot factor and maize residue mulch rate (0, 2 and 4 t/ha) as a subplot factor, with threefold replication. All subplots were surface mulched and weeded by hoe at the same time. We hypothesized that under MT weed growth would be considerable with maize monocropping but from year 3 of CA, weed growth would decrease and crop yield increase relative to values from unmulched CONV. Minimum tillage increased weed growth in 2nd year of maize monocropping. Under the maize–cowpea rotation, the considerable weed growth in planting basins was likely due to the large intrarow spacing and poor light competiveness of the cowpea variety. Mulch contributed to weed growth being suppressed by up to 36% under CA in the maize–cowpea–sorghum rotation relative to unmulched CONV. When planted on the same date, crop yield did not differ between CA and unmulched CONV. Maize–cowpea–sorghum rotation grain yield (3143 kg/ha) was double that under monocropping, probably due to improvements in soil physical and chemical conditions.

Influence of Plant Population Density on Growth and Yield of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) at Wondo Genet, South Ethiopia

An experiment was conducted at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center in the production season of 2016 and 2017 with the objective of identifying the best combination of intra and inter-row spacing for optimum plant population density of chamomile. The experiment was conducted using four intra-row spacing (40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm and 70 cm) and three inter-row spacing (40 cm, 60 cm and 80 cm) with a total treatment combination of twelve that were laid out in factorial RCBD design with three replications. The main effect of intra-row and inter-row spacing had a significant influence on a number of flowers per plant, the weight of fresh flower per plant in both cropping seasons. In 2016 cropping season significantly higher number of flowers per plant was obtained from the interaction spacing of 60 cm × 60 cm and In 2017 cropping season weight of fresh flower per plant was affected by the interaction spacing of 60 cm × 80 cm. Significantly maximum fresh flower weight per hectare and dry flower weight per hectare was obtained from the main effect of 40 cm intra-row and 40 cm inter-row spacing in both cropping seasons and in 2017 cropping season their interaction was significantly influenced by the weight of fresh flower per hectare. The pooled mean analysis showed that the maximum fresh flower weight per hectare (3779 kg ha-1), dry flower weight per hectare (517.2 kg ha-1) and (586.7 kg ha-1) were obtained from the treatment combination of 40 cm intrarow with 40 cm inter-row spacing. In 2016 cropping season maximum oil yield (5.6 kg ha-1) was obtained from the treatments combination of 40 cm intra-row with 40 cm inter-row spacing. Therefore we suggest that the bestcombined intra-row and inter-row spacing for chamomile is 40 cm × 40 cm to attain maximum yield under appropriate management conditions at Wondo genet and similar agroecology zones.

Oil Yield and Fatty Acid Composition of Spring Sun flower as Affected by Sowing Date, Intra Row Spacing and Nitrogen Dose

Limited research has been so far done in spring sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) for optimising the applied nitrogen dose and plant population under staggered sowing to achieve both higher oil yields and quality. In current study, protein and oil content, oil yield and fatty acid profile was investigated under three sowing dates (January 20, February 10 & March 2), two intra-row spacings (30 & 24 cm) and four nitrogen doses (0, 45, 60 & 75 kg ha−1). The results indicated that delayed sowing caused reduction in oil content and oil yield with concomitant increase in protein content. Increase in oleic acid with concomitant decrease in linoleic acid was also noted as the sowing was delayed. Intra-row spacing did not influence the oil content and fatty acid composition of oil but caused significant improvement in protein content. Each graded nitrogen dose led to improved protein content and oil yield but oil content showed the reverse trend.

Effects of Inter and Intra Row Spacing on Growth and Yield Components of Hot Pepper (Capsicum Annum L.) Var Halaba

A field experiment was carried out during 2014 and 2015 growing seasons at Galato research farm located in Halaba, southern Ethiopia to identify optimum plant density (row x plant spacing) that maximize growth and pod yield components of hot pepper. Four row spacing (40, 50, 60 and 70cm) and four plant spacing (20, 30, 40 and 50 cm) were arranged in 4 x 4 factorial combination in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results indicated that year x row spacing produced more significant (P&lt;0.05) interaction compared to year x plant spacing, row x plant spacing or year x row x plant spacing. Row x plant spacing of 70 cm x 30 cm (47,619 plants/ha), 60 cm x 30 cm (55,555 plants/ha), 50 cm x 30 cm (66,666 plants/ha), 40 cm x 40 cm (62,500 plants/ha) and 40 cm x 50 cm (50,000 plants/ha) produced statistically similar HI results to that of 50 cm x 20 cm row x plant spacing (100,000 plants/ha). Lowest HI was measured due to 40 cm x 20 cm row x plant spacing (125,000 plants/ha). The maximum of 29.3 qt/ha of dry pod yield of hot pepper was measured due to 60 cm wide rows in 2014 (good year) where as the lowest pod yield of 15.4 qt/ha was obtained due to 40 cm wide rows in 2015 (bad year). Dry biomass yield of hot pepper was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) due to 50 cm wide rows in 2014 where as the lowest dry biomass yield was recorded due to 70 cm wide rows in 2015. Fruit yield/plant showed positive significant correlation with plant height (r=0.572) and pod numbers (r=0.641). Significant negative association was observed between HI (harvest index) and plant height (r=-0.429), and HI and branch number (r=-0.512). Results indicated that significantly higher (P&lt;0.01) dry pod yield in 2014 was obtained due to 60 cm x 20 cm row x plant spacing (83,333plants/ha). However, 50 cm x 30 cm (66,666plants/ha) spacing produced statistically similar dry pod yield to that of 60 cm x 20 cm row x plant spacing. In 2015, dry pod yield was significantly higher (P&lt;0.01) due to 70 cm x 30 cm row x plant spacing (47,617 plants/ha) compared to other row x plant spacing combinations. 60 cm x 30 cm row x plant spacing produced intermediary results in 2015. Thus, hot pepper requires wider row x plant spacing in drier times and narrower row x plant spacing in rainy times under field conditions of Halaba.

The effects of different plant densities and silage corn varieties on silage yield and some yield parameters in no-till seeding

In this study, the possibility of growing silage corn, which is used as an important nutrient in livestock and whose production is increasing in recent years, by no-till seeding method under Erzurum conditions was investigated. For this purpose, three silage corn varieties (DKC-5783, Prestige, and ADA-9510) suitable for Erzurum's climatic conditions in terms of vegetation period were selected from a large number of silage corn seeds widely grown throughout Turkey and their development conditions under no-till seeding conditions were investigated. A precision vacuum no-till seeder with double disk type furrow opener was used for silage corn seeding. Based on three different intrarow seed spacings (10, 15, and 20 cm), physical properties of soil, plant emergence, yield, and yield parameters as well as the planting performance of the machine were examined. According to the results obtained from the study, it was determined that mean emergence time decreased and seedling emergence increased as intrarow seed spacing increased. Furthermore, it was also found that DKC-5783 had the best emergence time, the best seedling emergence percentage, and the highest emergence rate index. Where yield decreased as intrarow spacing increased, ADA-9510 had the highest yield among varieties. Generally, intrarow seed spacing of 20 cm and DKC-5783 and ADA-9510 gave the best results.

Effects of inter and intra row spacing on growth, yield and yield components of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

A field experiment was conducted to assess the optimum inter- and intra-row spacing on growth, yield and yield component of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in 2014/15 cropping season at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center experimental site (at Wondo Genet station). Two inter-row spacing (60 and 90 cm) and three intra-row spacing (30, 60 and 90 cm) were evaluated using two varieties, WG-Hibiscus-Jamaica and WG-Hibiscus-Sudan on a plot size of 3.6 m length x 4.2 m width. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in factorial arrangement with 12 treatments in three replications. SAS (version 9) software was used to compute the analysis of variance. The results revealed that varieties differed markedly in most of the studied parameters. Of the two varieties tested, variety WG-Hibiscus-Jamaican showed greater plant height, number of branches per plant, number of leaves/plant, leaf area, leaf area index, days to 50 % flowering, days to 95 % maturity, number of capsules/plant, fresh calyx yield/plant, dry calyx yield/plant, seed yield/plant, total number of capsules/ha, total fresh calyx yield/ha, total dry calyx yield/ha and total seed yield/ha. In contrast, variety WG-Hibiscus-Sudan matures earlier and had heavier 1000 seed weight than variety WG-Hibiscus-Jamaican. The present study demonstrated that, the highest total fresh and dry calyx yield/ha were recorded when WG-Hibiscus-Jamaica and WG-Hibiscus-Sudan were planted at inter-row spacing of 60 cm and intra-row spacing of 30 cm.

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates and Intra Row Spacing on Bulb Yield of Onion (Allium cepa L.) at Shire, Northern Ethiopia

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates and Intra Row Spacing on Bulb Yield of Onion (Allium cepa L.) at Shire, Northern Ethiopia

Maximization of Seed Size Tubers in Potato through Manipulation of Intra Row Spacing, Nitrogen Levels and Crop Duration under Irrigated Condition in Indo –Gangetic Plains of Bihar

A field experiment was conducted during winter season (Oct-Feb) of 2013-14 and 2014-15 with four replications and eight treatments to produce maximum yield of seed size tubers of potato cultivar, “Kufri Pukhraj” by interaction of two nitrogen levels (120 and 150 kg N/ha), two intra row spacing (15 and 20cm), and two crop duration(haulm cutting at 70 and 80 days after planting). The narrow intra row spacing i.e. 15 cm, produced significantly higher yield of seed size grade tubers while wide spacing i.e. 20 cm produced higher yield of large grade tubers. The total tuber yield and tuber number was significantly more in closer spacing. Percent production of seed size tubers to total tubers (both on weight as well as number basis) was higher at narrow spacing. Haulm cutting at 80 days after planting produced significantly higher yield of large grade tuber, while haulm cutting at 70 days after planting, produced significantly higher yield of seed size grades tubers. The total tuber number and tuber yield was significantly higher in haulm cutting at 80 days after planting. Lowest total tuber yield and number was observed in wider spacing with lower nitrogen level and shorter duration. Per cent production (both on weight as well as number basis) of seed size tubers to the total tuber was significantly higher at 60 x 15 cm with 120 kg N /ha and longer crop duration. Plant spacing of 60 x 15 cm with higher fertility levels and shorter crop duration (70 day) was found to be second best treatment in terms of production of seed size tuber.

Influence of plant spacing on seed and ware tuber production of potato (&lt;i&gt;Solanum tuberosum&lt;/i&gt; L.) cultivars grown in Eastern Ethiopia

Plant spacing is an important agronomic consideration in the production of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L .) . However, the spacing of 30 cm between seed tubers and 75 cm between rows has been invariably used across all parts of Ethiopia. The practice of using this spacing across the country regardless of the variety to be cultivated, the purpose of production (seed potato or ware potato), agro-ecology, etc. may lead to lower tuber yields. To elucidate this problem and the effect of plant spacing on the productivity of different potato varieties, field experiments were conducted in Hirna and Haramaya districts in the Hararghe Zones of Eastern Ethiopia. The treatments consisted of five plant spacing and four potato cultivars. The experiment at each location was laid out as a completely randomized block design in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times per treatment. Analysis of total, marketable and unmarketable tuber number per unit area obtained indicated that the effect of cultivar and spacing highly significantly ( p <0.01) influenced. The cultivar and plant spacing highly significant ( p <0.01) affect tubers size distribution. Total tuber yield responded highly significantly ( p <0.01) to the effects of cultivar and spacing. Results of the experiment revealed that keeping intra-row spacing of 25 cm, the inter-row spacing of 50 cm and 60 cm produced total yield of potato tubers of 31.24 and 30.97 tone ha-1 respectively, i.e. more than 41% the yield of commonly used spacing of 75 cm x 30 cm. The highest number of seed-sized tubers (40-75 g) was obtained at high planting density, i.e. 50 cm x 25 cm and 60 cm x 25 cm. Since spacing 50 cm x 25 cm requires more planting material and also makes inter-cultivation practices more difficult, the spacing of 60 cm x 25 cm was recommended for maximizing production of both seed and ware potatoes. Keywords: Potato, Tuber size, Intra-row, Inter-row, Spacing

Determination of optimum plant density for faba bean (Vicia faba L.) on vertisols at Haramaya, Eastern Ethiopia

A field experiment was carried out to identify the optimum plant density, inter and intra-row spacing for the maximum agronomic performance of Gachena (a recently released faba bean variety). A thr...

Growth Characters OF Some Maize Hybrids as Affected by Inter and Intra Row Spacings

To study performance of some maize hybrids under different inter and intra row spacing on flowering and growth characters. Two field experiments were carried out in extension field at Sherbin Center, Dakahlia District, Egypt during summer seasons of 2014 and 2015.The results exposed that S.C. 3084 hybrid chronicled the earlier number of days to 50% tasseling, highest number of green leaves/plant and highest values of total chlorophyll, thickness stems, tallest plants and ear height and lowest ear leaf area. However, S.C 2066 hybrids recorded the latest in number of days to 50% tasseling, the lowest number of green leaves/plant, the lowest values of total chlorophyll, stem diameter, plant height and ear height and the highest values of ear leaf area. Sown maize hybrids on width rows (70 cm) produced earlier plants to 50% tasseling, highest number of green leaves/plants, highest values of ear leaf area, thickness stems, tallest plants and ear height. Whereas, sown maize plants on narrow row width (60 cm) produced earlier plants to 50% silking and highest values of total chlorophyll. Sown maize hybrids at hills of 30 cm apart produced the earlier number of days to 50 % tasseling and 50 % silking, the highest values of ear leaf area and stem diameter. While, sown maize plants at hill spacing of 25 cm apart produced the highest number of green leaves/plant. However, sown maize hybrids at hills of 20 cm apart produced highest values of total chlorophyll and tallest plants. It can be concluded that sown S.C. 3084 hybrid on 60 cm row width at hill spacing of 20 cm apart exploited maize growth characters under the environmental conditions of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt.

Plant density and intra-row spacing effects on phenology, dry matter accumulation and leaf area index of maize in second cropping

Crop phenology is one of the most important aspects of crop yield determination and it is essential to predicting physiological responses under varying field conditions. In order to evaluate plant density and intra-row spacing effects on phenology, dry matter accumulation, and leaf area index of maize in second cropping, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted at the research farm of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. Experimental factors were: plant population at three levels (7, 9, and 11 plants m–2) with three levels of intra-row spacing (45, 60, and 75 cm). The results showed that the maximum plant height (179.07 cm), total dry matter (592 g m–2) in 83–91 days after sowing, days to 50% anthesis (45 days), days to 50% silking (50 days), LAI (4.07) in 63–70 days after sowing were observed in the plots with 11 plants m–2 and intra-row spacing of 45 cm. Based on the results, it was concluded that application of 11 plants m–2 with row spacing of 45 cm can be recommended for profitable maize production.

Effects of seed tuber weight and intrarow spacing on the development of shoots and new tubers in Chinese yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia‘Tsukuneimo’)

Effects of seed tuber weight and intrarow spacing on the development of shoots and new tubers in Chinese yam (<i>Dioscorea oppositifolia</i>‘Tsukuneimo’)

Effects of nitrogen treatment and intra-row spacing on the morphological and physiological characteristics in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Pumpkin (&lt;em&gt;Cucurbita pepo&lt;/em&gt; L.) is a medicinal plant recently under common cultivation in Iran. The seeds and its products are used in the treatment of some diseases. Due to the lack of information about the intra-row spacing and nutritional demands of the plant a factorial experiment with Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications was planned in Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University Research Field in 2013. The treatments were 5 levels of Urea fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 kg/ha nitrogen), and intra-row spacing in 3 levels (30, 60 and 90 cm). The result showed that interaction effects of intra-row spacing and nitrogen treatment had significant effect on some morphological traits such as plant height, number of auxiliary branches and leaf number per plant. Application of 200 kg/ha nitrogen increased the plant height, the number for auxiliary branches and leaves as well as the leaves dry mass, mainly due to the prolonged vegetative growth period and delayed flowering and fruiting. 150 kg/ha nitrogen combined with 60 cm intra-row spacing hold the highest number of female flowers, fruit number and intact fruit number and fruit fresh weight, and the highest dry weight of the intact seeds. The results for some physiological traits showed that interaction effects of nitrogen and intra-row spacing had significant effects on chlorophyll b at the late stages of flowering period and the contents for chlorophyll a and carotenoids were significant at the end of growing season. The highest oil content was recorded in 150 kg/ha nitrogen and 60 cm intra-row spacing. Based on results obtained, 150 kg/ha nitrogen and 60 cm intra-row spacing were the best regime for the production of this plant.

Mechanical weed control on small-size dry bean and its response to cross-flaming

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) can be a profitable crop for farmers; however controlling weeds effectively without a decrease in yield remains a problem. An example where mechanical weed control is difficult to conduct is dry bean ‘Toscanello’, which is a small sized high-income niche product growing low to the ground. Concerning intra-row weed control, also flame weeding could be an opportunity but the dry bean heat tolerance needs to be studied. The aims of this research were to study the weed control efficacy of a spring-tine harrow and an inter-row cultivator in this bean variety, and to test the tolerance of dry bean cultivated under weed-free conditions to cross-flaming applied with different liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) doses. Flame weeding was applied at BBCH 13 and BBCH 14 bean growth stages by pairs of burners producing direct double flame acting into the intra-row space, with bean plants placed in the middle. The results suggest that the spring-tine harrow used two times at BBCH 13 and 14, respectively, lead to a yield similar to that of the weedy control. The inter-row cultivator could be an opportunity for small-sized dry bean crops producers, enabling them to obtain a similar yield compared to the hand-weeded control. Concerning the bean tolerance to cross-flaming the results showed that bean flamed at BBCH 13 stage had little tolerance to cross-flaming. Bean flamed at BBCH 14 stage was tolerant until an LPG dose of 39 kg/ha, giving yield responses similar to those observed in the non-flamed control.

Optimizing crop geometry for processing-grade tuber yield, quality and economics of potato in Grey Terrace Soil

ABSTRACTCrop geometry has great influence on economically important characteristics such as total yield, processing-grade yield, tuber size distribution and tuber quality in Grey Terrace Soil. An experiment was conducted to develop a suitable crop geometry for the production of higher processing-grade yield and quality of potato tubers. The treatment consisted of three levels of inter-row spacing (60, 67.5 and 75 cm) and four levels of intra-row spacing (20, 25, 30 and 35 cm). Crop geometry significantly influenced growth, yield contributing characters, tuber size distribution and yield of potato. The highest chips, French fry grade tubers and total potato tuber yield were found in 67.5 cm × 25 cm crop geometry without affecting processing quality but all were in the highly acceptable range. Intra-row spacing of 25 cm produced the maximum processing quality tubers, closely followed by 30 cm. The highest gross and net returns with a benefit–cost ratio of 1.75 were recorded in 67.5 cm × 25 cm crop geometry. Therefore, the 67.5 cm × 25 cm crop geometry can be recommended for higher potato tuber yield and processing-grade tubers as well as higher economic return.

Bed Height and Intrarow Spacing on Pepper Growth and Fruit Yield

ABSTRACTCultural practices can affect growth and yield of hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens L). Experiments were carried out in 2009 and 2010 to investigate growth and fruit yield of hot pepper as affected by bed height and intrarow spacing. Six-week-old transplants were established at an 80-cm interrow spacing with intrarow spacings of 20, 30, or 40 cm and bed heights of 20, 30, and 40 cm. Intrarow spacing did not affect growth and yield. Relative to 30- and 20-cm-high beds, planting on 40-cm-high beds increased number of leaves/plant by 70% and 48%, number of fruits/plant by 58% and 86%, and fruit yield·per hectare by 64% and 97%, respectively. At the 40-cm intrarow spacing, on 40-cm-high beds, fruit weight/plant was higher by 196% and 138% relative to 20- and 30-cm-high beds, respectively. Plant height, number of leaves/plant, and leaf area index (LAI) contributed 79%, 75%, and 84%, respectively, to fruit yield; number of fruits/plant and fruit weight/plant contributed 89% and 92%, respectively, to fruit yield. Planting pepper at 40-cm intrarow spacing with 40-cm bed height is recommended to optimize production space and increase yield.