Identification of Advantages of Maize-Legume Intercropping over Solitary Cropping through Competition Indices in the East Mediterranean Region

Authors : Şaban YILMAZ, Mehmet ATAK, Mustafa ERAYMAN

Pages : 111-119

View : 17 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 2008-03-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Alternate planting combinations of maize insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Zea mays L.); with common bean insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Phaseolus vulgaris L.); or cowpea insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Vigna sinensis L.); were compared with the solitary planting of each crop during 2003 and 2004 under the East Mediterranean conditions in Turkey. The experiment comprised 15 treatments; sole planting of maize insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(71,500 plant ha-1);, sole planting of common bean insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(285,750 plant ha-1); and cowpea insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(285,750 plant ha-1);, and 2 different planting patterns insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1- and 2-row plantings); with 6 maize-legumes intercropping series, 50:50, 67:50, and 100:50, respectively, using randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Evaluation of the planting patterns was performed on basis of several intercropping indices such as land equivalent ratio insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(LER);, relative crowding coefficient insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(K);, aggressivity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(A);, aggressivity ratio insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CR);, actual yield loss insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(AYL);, monetary advantage index insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MAI);, and intercropping index insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IA);. Competition indices revealed that, compared to solitary planting, the maize-cowpea and maize-common bean intercropping, regardless of planting patterns, at the mix proportions of 67:50 plant density had advantages due to its better yield, land use efficiency, and economics. Methods used in this study should be easily implemented especially by small scale farms in the East Mediterranean region.
Keywords : Maize, common bean, cowpea and intercropping