Determination of plant population and planting time in maize (Zea mays L.)and climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)intercropping system
2004
Negash Geleta (Bako Agricultural Research Center, Bako (Ethiopia)) | Chemeda Daba (Bako Agricultural Research Center, Bako (Ethiopia)) | Setegn Gebeyehu (Bako Agricultural Research Center, Bako (Ethiopia))
The experiment was conducted at Bako research center in 1998 and 1999 cropping seasons. The objectives of the study were to determine agronomically optimum plant population of maize and climbing bean in an intercropping system; and to determine appropriate planting time of climbing bean to be grown with maize for high total system productivity. Factorial combinations of three maize plant populations (50, 75 and 100% of optimum planting densities attained by planting 2 seeds per hill spaced at 100, 67 and 50 cm, respectively); three bean densities (2, 4 and 6 seeds per maize hill); and two bean planting times (simultaneous vs. 37 days after planting maize)were used and arranged in randomised complete block design with three replications. Maize and bean varieties used were BH-540 and 848 BCB-28, respectively. Sole maize and climbing bean at their normal densities for sole cropping were used as satellite treatments. Maize grain yield was significantly affected by year (P0.05), bean planting time (p0.01), maize population density (p0.01), and by bean planting time and density interaction (p0.01). Maize grain yield was higher for late bean planting than simulation maize/bean planting. The interaction of bean planting time and bean proportion indicated that for simultaneous maize/bean planting, the best bean proportion was 2 seeds per maize hill, while for late bean planting, higher bean proportion of 4 and 6 seeds per maize hill increased maize grain yield. Bean grain yield was high for bean planted simultaneously with maize as compared to late bean planting. Higher total productivity was obtained for early bean planting (simultaneous maize/bean planting)(1.44)and for 100% maize proportions (1.24). Generally, total productivity was higher for early bean planting + 100% maize proportions + 2 seeds per maize hill of bean (1.65).
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