Efficiency of intercropping maize, soybean and sunflower on grain yield
1999
Khan, A. | Khan, S. | Asrar, M. | Khan, M. (NWFP Agricultural Univ., Peshawar (Pakistan))
An experiment was conducted with an objective to study the land use efficiency and economic return under maize, (Zea mays L.) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) sown alone and in four possible intercropping systems. The results indicated that intercropping substantially affected grain yield. In monoculture the grain yields of soybean was higher by 23 to 42 percent than grain yields of soybean in different intercropping combinations: Intercropping of sunflower significantly affected grain yields of maize and soybean. The relative yield total of different species in intercropping was greater than their yields in monocultures. The highest land equivalent ratio (LER) of 1.48 and a gross income of Rs. 23197 ha-1 were obtained from maize + soybean intercropping system. This suggests 48 percent increase in production during one season of intercropping. Intercropped maize and soybean resulted in greater LER and higher economic returns than those of monocultures. More research is suggested to devise a viable and profitable intercropping system in different agro-ecological zones of NWFP.
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