Evaluation of Forage Yield and Important Agronomic Indices of Corn Affected by Intercropping Systems with Peanut and Nitrogen Rates

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors

-

Abstract

Introduction
Multiple cropping such as intercropping plays an important role in agriculture because of maximizing beneficial interactions. Intercropping of legumes and cereals is an old practice in tropical agriculture that dates back to ancient civilization. Maize-legume intercrops could substantially increase forage quantity and quality and decrease requirement for protein supplements (Ahmad et al., 2008). Intercropping of cereals and legumes is important for development of sustainable food production systems. This may be due to some of the potential benefits in intercropping systems such as high productivity and profitability, improvement of soil fertility through the additional supply of N by fixation and excretion from the component legume, efficient use of resources, reducing damage caused by pests, diseases and weeds and improvement of forage quality (Ahmad et al., 2008; Fernandez-Aparicio et al., 2007; Lithourgidis et al., 2006). The main advantage of intercropping is more efficient utilization of the available resources and the increased productivity compared with each sole crop of the mixture. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate agronomic characteristics of corn and Land equivalent ratio (LER) under intercropping with peanut and different rates of nitrogen.
Materials and methods
In order to evaluate the forage yield and important agronomic indices of corn (Zea mays L.) affected by intercropping systems with peanut and different nitrogen rates, this experiment was performed in the experimental field of agricultural and natural resource research center of Guilan province, Rasht, Iran, during 2013-14 cropping season as a split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications. Nitrogen rates, including of zero, 100, 200 and 300 kg per hectare as main plot and sole cropping of corn and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), intercropping systems including of intercropping corn and peanut at ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 1:2 and 2:2 on alternative furrows as sub plot, comprised the experimental factors.
Results and discussion
The results of this experiment showed that the effects of nitrogen were significant for all measured characteristics except the leaf number, leaf length and wide. Also, the effects of intercropping were significant for all study traits except the ear diameter, leaf number, leaf length and wide. In addition, the interaction effects of the nitrogen × intercropping system were significant for peanut seed yield, corn forage yield, stem weight, stem diameter, ear diameter, leaf length and land equivalent ratio. The results of this experiment showed that the application of 300 kg nitrogen per hectare obtained the highest corn forage yield under (C6) intercropping system. At the same condition, no significant difference was observed for corn forage yield between (C4) and (C6) intercropping systems. The interaction between 100 kg N/ha × C5 intercropping system at the ratio of 1:2 showed the greatest peanut seed yield. Peanut seed yield decreased by increasing the nitrogen application rate. However, based on this experiment results, application of 300 kg nitrogen per hectare increased total production of both corn and peanut and land equivalent ratio (LER= 1.51) under (C3) intercropping system. The land equivalent ratio (LER) under 100 and 300 kg per hectare and intercropping system of corn with peanut (C4) by the ratio of 2:1 was 1.42 and 1.39, respectively. There was no significant difference between the land equivalent ratio (LER) under above mentioned conditions. The results showed that maize-peanut intercropping increased corn forage yield compared to peanut seed yield. Hence, increment of land equivalent ratio (LER) related to corn forage yield more than seed yield of peanut.
Conclusion
In general, results showed that maize-peanut intercropping could be profitable due to use of the available resources. Maize-peanut intercropping system can decrease yield loss caused by pest and disease and enhance soil fertility. Maize-peanut intercropping pattern can increase productivity compared to sole cropping. According to our results, intercropping system of corn with peanut (C4) by the ratio of 2:1 and utilizing of 100 kg nitrogen per hectare could be recommendable for enhancement of crop production and increment of farmers economical income in Rasht and similar climatic conditions.
Acknowledgement
The authors gratefully acknowledge the comments and suggestions received from Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Guilan province.

Keywords


1- Ahmad, Z., Mezori, H.A.M., and Duhoky, M.M.S. 2008. Effect of intercropping systems and nitrogen fertilizer on yield, yield components of corn (Zea mays L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogea L.). Journal of Dohuk University 11(1): 206-214.
2- Anil, J.P., Phipps, R.H., and Miller, F.A. 1998. Temperate intercropping of cereals for forage: Review of potential for growth and utilization with particular reference to the UK. L. Grass and Forage Science 53: 301-317
3- Astatke, A., Mohamed Saleem, M.A., and El Wakeel, A. 1995. Soil water dynamics under cereal and forage legume mixtures on drained vertisols in the Ethiopian highlands. Agricultural Water Management 27: 17-24.
4- Cusicanqui, J.A., and Lauer, J.G. 1999. Plant density and hybrid influenced on corn forage yield and quality. Agronomy Journal 91: 911-915.
5- Dahmardeh, M., Ghanbarim, A., Siahsar, B., and Ramroudi, M. 2011. Evalution of forage yield and protein content of maize and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) in intercropping. Iranian Journal of Crop Science 13(4): 633-642. (In Persian with English Summary)
6- Eskandari, H., and Ghanbari, A. 2011. Evaluation of competition and complementarity of corn (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna sinensis L.) intercropping for nutrient consumption. Crop Science and Sustainable Production 21(2): 67-75. (In Persian with English Summary)
7- Fenandez Aparicio, M., Sillero, J.C., and Rubials, D. 2007. Intercropping with cereals reduces infection by Orobanche crenata in legumes. Crop Protection 26: 1166-1172.
8- Ghosh, P.K. 2004. Growth, yield, competition and economics of groundnut/cereal fodder intercropping systems in the semi arid tropics of India. Field Crops Research 88: 227- 237.
9- Hosseini, S.M.B., Mazaheri, D., Jahansouz, M.R., and Yazdi Samadi, B. 2002. The effects of nitrogen levels on yield and yield components of forage millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) in intercropping system. Pajouhesh and Sazandegi 59: 60-67. (In Persian with English Summary)
10- Kafi Ghasemi, A., and Esfahani, M. 2005. Evaluation of the effects of nitrogen fertilizer levels on yield and yield components of seed corn (Zea mays L.) in Guilan region. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Science and Natural Resource 12(5): 137-145. (In Persian with English Summary)
11- Koocheki, A., Lalehgani, B., and Najibnia, S. 2010. Evaluation of productivity in bean and corn intercropping. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research 7(2): 605-611. (In Persian)
12- Lithourgidis, A.S., Dhima, K.V., Vasilakoglou, I.B., Dordas, C.A., and Yiakoulaki, M.D. 2007. Sustainable production of barley and wheat by intercropping common vetch. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 27: 95-99.
13- Lithourgidis, A.S., Vasilakoglou, I.B., Dordas, C.A., and Yiakoulaki, M.D. 2006. Forage yield and quality of common vetch mixtures with oat and triticale in two seeding ratios. Field Crops Research 99: 106-113.
14- Maurice, G., Albert, N., and Isidore, T. 2010. Altering time of intercropping cow pea (Vigna unguinculata L.) relative to maize (Zea mays L.): A food Production strategy to increase crop yield attributes in Adamawa – Cameroon. Journal of Agricultural Science 6: 437-458
15- Mazaheri, D. 1998. Intercropping. Second Edition. Tehran University Press, Tehran, Iran. (In Persian)
16- Moynihan, J.M., Simmons, S.R., and Sheaffer, C.C. 1996. Intercropping annual medic with conventional height and semi dwarf barley grown for grain. Agronomy Journal 88: 823-828.
17- Nour Mohammadi, G., Siadat, A., and Kashani, A. 2007. Cereal Production. Vol. 1. Ahvaz Shahid Chamran University Press. Iran. (In Persian)
18- Nasrollahzadeh Asl, A., Chavoshgoli, A., Valizadegan, E., Valiloo, R., and Nasrollahzadeh Asl, V. 2012. Evaluation of sunflower (Heliantus annus L.) and pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercropping based on additive method. Crop Science and Sustainable Production 22(2): 79-90. (In Persian with English Summary)
19- Oluwasemire, K.O., Stigter, C.J., Owonubi, J.J., and Jagtab, S.S. 2002. Seasonal water use and water productivity of millet-based cropping systems in the Nigerian Sudan Savanna near Kano. Agricultural Water Management 56: 207-227.
20- Saman, M., and Sepehry, A. 2012. Effects of water deficit stress and nitrogen levels on growth and yield of two maize (Zea mays L.) varieties. The proceeding of 12th Iranian Crop Science Congress. Karaj, Iran. (In Persian)
21- Singh, J.K. 2007. Response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Intercropping to different row ratios and nitrogen levels under rain fed conditions of temperate Kashmir. Indian Journal of Agronomy 52: 36-39.
22- Tavassoli, A., Ghanbari, A., Ahmadi, M.M., and Haidari, M. 2010. Effect of manure and chemical fertilizers on forage and seed yield of millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in intercropping. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research 8(2): 203-212. (In Persian with English Summary)
CAPTCHA Image