Response of a maize or dry bean intercrop to maize density and dry bean arrangement under rainfed conditions

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/06/2015
Views (288) Download (25)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Response of a maize or dry bean intercrop to maize density and dry bean arrangement under rainfed conditions

T. Ramagoshi Nthabiseng, K. Mariga Irvine, P. Mabapa Moshibudi
Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res.6( 6), 18-29, June 2015.
Certificate: IJAAR 2015 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

An experiment was conducted under dryland conditions at the University of Limpopo experimental farm, Syferkuil, in Capricorn district in 2009/10 and 2010/11 growing seasons to determine the effect of maize density and dry bean arrangement on performance of a maize/bean intercrop. The trial was a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement consisting of ten treatments: three maize densities (18500, 24700 and 37000 plants/ha), and two dry bean arrangements (single and double row arrangement). Sole treatments were added to enable comparison of the performance of sole crops and intercrops. Maize density of 18500 plant/ha achieved significantly (P<0.05) lower maize yield than 24700 and 37000 plants/ha in both seasons. Intercropping with double rows of dry bean resulted in higher maize yield in both seasons. The Combination of 37000 plants/ha with double arrangement achieved highest maize yield in both seasons. Maize density of 24700 plants/ha produced higher dry bean yield than 18500 and 37000 plants/ha. The double row bean arrangement resulted in higher dry bean grain yield in both seasons. The combination of 24700 plants/ha and double row arrangement attained the highest dry bean yield in both seasons. Intercropping achieved LER values greater that one. Maize density of 37000 plants/ha with double row of dry bean gave the highest LER value of 1.76 in 2009/10 season while in 2010/11 maize density of 18500 plants/ha with double row of dry bean arrangement achieved the highest LER value of 1.92. Maize/bean combination of 37000 plants/ha maize with double row arrangement of dry bean is recommended.

VIEWS 11

Addo-Quaye AA, Darkwa AA, Ocloo GK. 2011. Yield and productivity of component crops in maize-soybean intercropping system as affected by time of planting and spatial arrangement. Journal of Agricultural and Biological science 6, 50- 54.

Ayisi  KK,  Whitebread AM,  Mpangane PZN. 2004. Growth and symbiotic activities of cowpea cultivars in sole and binary cultures with maize. Tropical legumes for sustainable farming systems in Southern Africa and Australia, edited by Whitebread AM , Pengelly BC, ACIAR Proc, 115 P.

Aynehband A, Behrooz M. 2011. Evaluation of cereal-legume and cereal-Pseudocereal intercropping systems through forage productivity and competition ability. American-Eurasian Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Science 10, 675- 683.

Banik P, Sharma RC. 2009. Yield and resource utilization efficiency in baby corn-legume intercropping system in the eastern plateau of India. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 33, 379- 305.

Ciftci V, Tongay N, Tongay Y, Dogan Y. 2006. The effect of intercropping sowing system with dry bean and maize on yield and some yield components. Agronomic Journal 5, 53- 56.

Craufurd PQ. 2000. Effect of plant density on the yield of sorghum–cowpea and pearl millet–cowpea intercrops in northern Nigeria. Experimental Agriculture 36, 379-395.

Jiao NY, Zhao C, Ning TY, Hou LT, FU GZ, Li ZJ, Chen MC. 2008. Effects of maize-peanut intercropping on economic yield and light response of photosynthesis. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology 19, 981- 985.

Kipkemoi PL, Wasike VW, Ooro PA, Riungu TC, Bor PK, Rogocho LM. 2002. Effects of intercropping pattern on soybean and maize yield in central Rift valley of Kenya.conference/conference12. March 2010. httpwww.kari.org/biennial

Li L, Yang S, Li X, Zhang F, Christie F. 1999. Interspecific complementary and competitive interactions between intercropped maize and faba bean.Plant and Soil 212, 105- 114.

Majonoun-Hoseeini NR, Ellis H, YazdiSamadi B. 2001. Effect of plant population density on yield and components of eight isoline of cv. Clark (Glycine max).Journal of Agricultural Science 3, 131- 139.

Mohta NK, De R. 1980. Intercropping maize and sorghum with soybean. Journal of Agricultural Science 95, 117- 122.

Molatudi RL, Mariga IK. 2012. Grain yield and biomass response of a maize/dry bean intercrop to maize density and dry bean variety. African Journal of Agricultural Research 7, 3139- 3146.

Morgado LB, Willey RW. 2008. Optimum plant population for maize-bean intercropping system in the Brazilian semi-arid region. Science of Agriculture (Piracicaba,Braz.) 65, 474- 480.

Moriri SC. 2008. The effect of maize density and planting patterns on maize (Zea mays) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), growth yield and yield components in maize/cowpea intercrop under dryland conditions. Masters dissertation, University of Limpopo. South Africa.

Moriri S, Owoeye LG, Mariga IK. 2010. Influence of component crop densities and planting patterns on maize production in dry land maize/cowpea intercropping system. African Journal of Agricultural Research 5, 1200- 1207.

Muoneke CO, Oqwache MAO, Kalu BA. 2007. Maize planting density on the performance of maize/soybean intercropping system in a Guinea savannah agro-ecosystem. African Journal of Agricultural Research 2, 667- 677.

Mutungamiri A, Mariga IK, Chivinge OA. 2001. Effect of maize density, bean cultivar and bean spatial arrangement on intercrop performance. African CropScience Journal 9, 487- 497.

Ndung’u KW, Kwambai T, Barkutwo J, Wanjekeche E, Mulati J, Nyambati E, Mutoko M, Wanyonyi M, Kifuko M. 2006. Effect of different spatial arrangements on yield of maize and different bean varieties in North Rift Kenya. admin/publications/10thproc.February 2010. www.kari.org/file

Ofori F, Stern WR. 1987. Cereal-legume intercropping systems. Advanced Agronomy 41, 41-90.

Pandey S. 2000. Maize Research Highlights. Bulletin: Mexico.

Prasad RB, Brook RM. 2005. Effect of varying maize densities on intercropped maize and soybean in Nepal. Experimental Agriculture 41, 365- 382.

Safex. November 2011. www.farmwise.co.za/trading-safex

Scott TW, Pleasant J, Burt RF, Otis DJ. 1987. Contributions of ground cover, dry matter and nitrogen from intercrops and cover crops in a corn polyculture system. Agronomic Journal 79, 792- 798.

Sedaghathoor S, Janatpoor G. 2012. Study on effect of soybean and tea intercropping on yield and yield components of soybean and tea. Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science 7, 664- 671.

Tsubo M, Walker S, Ogindo HO. 2005. A simulation model of cereal–legume intercropping systems for semi-arid regions II. Model application. Field Crops Research 24, 23- 33.

Undie UL, Uwah DF, Attoe EE. 2012. Effect of intercropping and crop arrangement on yield and productivity of late season maize/soybean mixtures in the humid environment of Southern Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Science 4, 37- 50.

Yilmaz Ş, Atak M, Erayman M. 2008. Identification of advantage of maize- legume intercropping over solitary cropping through competition indices in the East Mediterranean region. Journal of Agriculture 32, 111- 119.