Study of Canopy Growth Indices in Mono and Intercropping of Chickpea and Barley Under Weed Competition

Abstract
In order to evaluate the effect of chickpea-barley intercrop on some canopy growth indices, an experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bu-Ali Sina, during 2010 growing season. Experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Weed control as main factor in two-levels (weed interference and Weed free and nine different planting patterns were considered as sub-plots (sole-crop of chickpea (PT1), sole crop of barley (PT2), additive intercropping of chickpea 100% + barley25% (PT3), chickpea100% + barley50% (PT4), chickpea100% + barley75% (PT5) and chickpea100% + barley100% (PT6), and replacement intercropping of chickpea25% + barley75%, (PT7), chickpea50% + barley50%, (PT8), chickpea75% + barley25%, (PT9)). Results showed that traits were affected by treatments. In comparison with WF treatment, all growth indices reduced at non weeding treatment. This reduction in leaf area index, total dry matter and crop growth rate was 11, 15 and 17%, respectively. Also, among planting patterns minimum leaf area index (1.77), total dry matter (606.90 g.m^-2) and crop growth rate (18.84 g.m^-2.
d^-1) were achieved at PT1 treatment. But, intercropping treatments increased all traits as above mentioned and maximum values of LAI (4.69), TDM (1110.40 g.m^-2), CGR (34.47 g.m^-2.d^-1) belonged to PT3 treatment. In general, chickpea-barley intercropping improved all canopy growth indices in comparison to sole cropping.