Evaluation of Advantage and Yield Quality in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Intercropping under Nitrogen Fertilizer

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

       Intercropping has been mentioned as a useful tool for improving the utilization of existing environmental resources in comparison with sole cropping systems. Hence, this research was conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran during 2015 cropping year. The treatments included cropping patterns (rapeseed sole crop and intercropping of rapeseed with chickpea) and nitrogen rates in four levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg nitrogen.ha-1). Chickpea was cropped as sole crop without nitrogen consumption and with consumption of 40 kg N.ha-1. Traits of yield and yield components, leaf chlorophyll index, photosynthesis rate for chickpea and rapeseed, as well as rapeseed equivalent yield (REY) and intercropping indices were measured and evaluated. The effect of nitrogen and planting pattern on rapeseed traits were significant, but nitrogen×planting pattern interaction was not significant for rapeseed traits. Between N rates treatments, the maximum values for yield components, biological yield, chlorophyll index, photosynthesis rate, grain yield (304 g.m-2) and oil yield (129 g.m-2) were obtained with 120 kg nitrogen.ha-1. However, 120 and 80 kg N treatments were not significantly different for rapeseed traits. Also, rapeseed sole cropping had the highest values of above mentioned traits except for chlorophyll index. Chickpea sole cropping with consumption of 40 kg N without significant difference with non-nitrogen application had the highest seed and protein yields (192 and 71   g.m-2, respectively). Rapeseed and chickpea yields decreased in intercropping systems, but different indices showed more usefulness of intercropping compared to sole cropping. In all intercropping treatments, LER was >1. Also, REY was higher in intercropping than sole cropping. Rapeseed-chickpea intercropping with consumption of 80-120 kg N.ha-1 had the highest LER and it was useful.
 

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