Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Pearl Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and Red Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Intercropping

Subject Areas : Journal of Crop Ecophysiology

A. Tavassoli ¹ , A. Ghanbari ² , D. Ramazan ³ , S.M. Mousavi-nik ⁴

1 - Ph.D Student of Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
2 - Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
3 - Staff Member, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
4 - Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

Received: 2009-06-16 Accepted : 2010-10-28 Published : 2010-11-22

Keywords: Intercropping, Red bean, Organic Fertilizer, Inorganic fertilizer, Pearl- millet,

Abstract :

This experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Center of Zabol University during 2007 cropping season. The experiment was split plot, based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factors consisted of unfertilized (control) (F1), recommended fertilizer (F2), recommended manure (F3), half of recommended manure + half of recommended fertilizer (F4) and sub factors were cropping of millet (I1), 75% millet + 25% bean (I2), 50% millet + 50% bean(I3), 25% millet + 75% bean (I4) and sole crop of bean (I5). Results showed that were for these tow species the highest grain and dry matter yield and harvest index (HI) obtained from half of recommended manure + half of recommended fertilizer treatment. However, fertilizer treatments did not have significant effect on 1000-seeds weight. Highest land equivalence ratio (LER) for grain and dry matter yield was achieved from half of recommended manure + half of recommended fertilizer treatment. The highest crude protein (CP), P and K content in each of the forage crops obtained from recommended fertilizer treatment. Interrace culture different ratios treatments, for millet the highest grain and dry matter yield and P and K content achieved from sole cropping. While highest harvest index (HI), 1000-seeds weight and CP content in millet forage obtained from their intercroppings. Highest bean values for all traits in achieved from its sole cropping. Furthermore, highest LER for dry matter and grain obtained from 25% millet + 75% bean treatment.