Agronomical, Ecological and Economical Evaluation of Wheat- Chickpea Intercropping Under Rainfed Condition of Maragheh

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     In order to evaluate of wheat-chickpea intercropping under rainfed condition, a field experiment based on randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with 6 treatment and 3 replications was carried out at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh during 2013 growing season. Treatments were included sole planting of wheat and chickpea, replacement intercropping of chickpea- wheat in 1:1 and 2:1 ratios and additive intercropping of chickpea with wheat in ratios 100:100 and 100:75. Evaluation of the planting patterns was performed on basis of several intercropping indices such as land equivalent ratio (LER), relative crowding coefficient (RCC or K), aggressivity (A), competitive ratio (CR), actual yield loss (AYL), monetary advantage index (MAI), intercropping advantage (IA) and system productivity index (SPI). Results showed that pods number per plant, seed number per plant, seed yield of chickpea and spikelet number per spike, grain number per spike, grain yield, protein content and protein yield of wheat were affected significantly by planting patterns. Highest grain yield were obtained in the sole crops. The greatest grain yield of wheat and chickpea in intercropping was observed in 1:1 and 2:1 ratios. The chickpea aggressivity was greater than wheat in 1:1, 2:1 and 100:75 ratios, indicating that chickpea was more competitive than wheat. The total AYL values were positive and negative in replacement and additive intercrops, respectivilly, showing that replacement intercropping was more resistant to yield loss than additive intercropping. The highest LER, MAI, IA and SPI values were recorded for 1:1 and 2:1 intercrops, indicating that the intercropping systems were the most profitable on basis of agronomical and economical. Considering the experimental findings, there was no advantage for chickpea-wheat as additive intercropping in rainfed condition of Maragheh if grain yield is the primary purpose.
 

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