Evaluation of sunflower (Heliantus annus L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) intercropping based on replacement method in Khoy region

Subject Areas : Journal of Plant Ecophysiology

A.  نصراله زاده اصل ¹ (استادیار دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد خوی، خوی، ایران)
Mehdi  Talebi ² (دانش آموخته کارشناسی ارشد زراعت دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد خوی، خوی، ایران)

Received: 2015-06-14 Accepted : 2016-02-17 Published : 2017-02-19

Keywords: Density, Intercropping, yield and LER,

Abstract :

In order to study the effect of intercropping sunflower and corn in a replacement method, an experiment was conducted as randomized complete blocks design with three replications and 12 treatments at Khoy in 2013. The treatments, were as follows: Eight treatments of replacement intercropping with 2:1 and 3:1 proportions of sunflower and corn (6.6 and 8.3 plants m-2 for sunflower and 6.6 and 8.3plants m-2 for corn), two sole cropping of sunflower (6.6 and 8.3 plants m-2) and two sole cropping of corn (6.6 and 8.3 plants m-2). Results showed that the effect of intercropping was significant on sunflower plant height; diameters of head; seeds per head, 100 - seed weight and seed yield per plant and the highest seed yield per plant, were obtained from intercropping treatments. Effect of intercropping was significant on corn grains per row; 100 - seed weight; grain yield per plant and the highest grain yield per plant were obtained from sole cropping treatment of corn. The highest LER (1.16) was obtained with 66% sunflower with density of 8.3 plants m-2 + % 34 corn with density of 8.3 plants m-2. These two crops have used more environmental resources and therefore this treatment, is recommended the best intercropping pattern in this region.