Evaluation of growth indices, yield performance and advantages in intercropping of wheat, soybean and corn

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Bu-Ali Sina University

2 دانشگاه بوعلی سینا

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Intercropping is an ecological way of sustainable agriculture used to increase land productivity and crops. Therefore, while considering the necessity of using sustainable agriculture systems and creating diversity in agriculture, this experiment was done with the aims of investigating of growth, yield performance in terms of quantity, and quality and resource utilization efficiency in wheat, soybean and corn intercropping system.
Materials and methods: The experiment was conducted as a randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the Research Farm of Bu–Ali Sina University in the 2019–2020 growing season. Intercropping treatments included 4w:2s (4 rows wheat: 2 rows soybean), 4w:2s:1c (4 rows wheat: 2 rows soybean: 1 row corn), 4w:2s:2c, 6w:3s, 6w:3s:1c, 6w:3s:2c, along with sole plot of wheat, soybean and corn. Leaf area index, crop growth rate, grain yield, biological yield, grain quality, and nitrogen, water and land use efficiency, were evaluated.
Results: The effect of different planting patterns on leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), biological yield and grain yield of wheat, soybean and corn were significant. The highest amount for these properties was achieved from sole cropping of these crops. Nevertheless, the evaluation of intercropping indices showed that all the intercropping patterns had an advantage compared to sole cropping system. So that the highest LER (2.23) and the highest water use efficiency were achieved from 6w:3s:2c treatment.
Conclusion: In general, 6w:3s:2c treatment can lead to the improvement of total grain yield and WUE as well as ecosystem sustainability and maximum land productivity.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
Volume 34, Issue 3
October 2024
Pages 1-18

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