Study of grain yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) in different ratios of intercropping

Subject Areas : crop production

Received: 2011-01-20 Accepted : 2012-05-04 Published : 2013-01-12

Keywords: Corn, Equality ratio of land, Evaluation indexes, Grain yield, Intercropping, Sunflower.,

Abstract :

Intercropping of two or more plants creates a plant community that may take advantage of the limited resources which are needed to improve product quality and quantity. In order to investigate the study of grain yield of corn and sunflower in different ratios of intercropping, the experiment was conducted randomized complete blocks design with four replications in Khoy Agricultural and Natural Research Resources in 2009. The experimented treatments were, m1 (pure cropping of sunflower), m2 (50 percent of sunflower + 50 percent of corn of intercropping), m3 (25 percent of sunflower + 75 percent of corn of intercropping), m4 (75 percent of sunflower + 25 percent of corn of intercropping) and m5 (pure cropping of corn). The result showed that the stem diameter, seed yield and biological yield of maize and stem diameter, seed yield and biological yield significantly were affected by intercropping. The highest intercropping treatment was related to m3 (25 percent of intercropping of sunflower + 75 percent maize), respectively. The plant stem was not affected by none of the ratios of different intercropping. Sunflower planting mix of 10.6 percent in m3 (25 percent of sunflower + 75 percent of corn of intercropping) and 23 percent reduction of corn yield compared to m3 (25 percent of sunflower + 75 percent of corn of intercropping) were related to pure culture. To assess the intercropping indicators of land equivalent ratio and relative total value were calculated. The highest rate belonged to 2.1 and 2.6 treatment m3 (25 percent of intercropping of sunflower + 75 percent maize). Thus this combination of economic mix is recommended.

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