Growth, yield and assimilate partitioning of corn (Zea mays L.), mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek), upland rice (Oryza sativa L.), and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in monocropping and intercropping systems

Leaf area ratio (LAR) of intercropped corn was significantly greater than that in monocropping at 8 WAP. No significant differences were observed in other growth parameters of corn and mungbean in monocropping and intercropping at all sampling dates. Significant differences were observed in crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), and leaf area duration (LAD) of rice; leaf area index (LAI) of sugarcane; LAR and specific leaf weight (SLW) of rice and sugarcane in monocropping and intercropping at different sampling dates. Economic yields of intercropped corn and mungbeans were 59.5% and 48.9% respectively, of their yields in monocropping. Biological yields in intercropping were 53.5% and 49.5% of their yields in monocropping. These indicate no adverse effects of intercropping since the intercrops occupied 50% of the area of the intercropping systems. Economic yields of rice in monocropping and intercropping were negligible due to damage from rice blast and bacterial leaf blight at 68 DAS and birds at early grain formation. Biological yield of intercropped rice was 66% of that of monocropped rice indicating no effect of intercropping since the former occupied 58% of the area of the intercropping system. In the two experiments, economic and biological yields of sugarcane in the two cropping systems were not significantly different. Dry matter partitioning to green leaves was slightly, but not significantly increased in monocropped corn, but was significantly increased in intercropped mungbean. In the two crops, partitioning to other parts was not significantly different between the two cropping systems. Partitioning to green leaves, but not other plant parts, was significantly greater in intercropped rice than in the monocrop. In the two experiments, partitioning to all plant parts was not significantly different between sugarcane in monocropping and intercropping.