Lamlom,MM.and MM.Ewis ( 2015). Effect of some intercropping patterns of soybean with maize on growth, yield and yield components and water use efficiencyEgypt. J. Agric. Res., 93, 2 (A), 2015
Abstract: Two-year field trial was carried out at Sids Agricultural Research Station, Egypt during 2012 and 2013 summer seasons to study the effect of intercropping soybean (Glycine max L.) to maize (Zea mays L.) in four intercropping patterns (2:2, 2:4 maize:soybean), (Raised-bed 120 and Raised-bed 140 cm) and solid planting of both crops and their effect on water use efficiency, plant growth, yield and yield components of both crops. Results indicated that all intercropping patterns reduced all growth characteristics and yield of both crops compared with solid planting. The yield and yield components of both crops were significantly affected by different intercropping patterns. The highest maize yields (3664.6 and 3470.5 kg fed.-1) in the first and second seasons, respectively, were obtained when maize was planted on Raised-bed (R.B.) 140cm pattern, whereas, 2:4 pattern exerted the lowest values (1703.9 and 1602.2 kg fed.-1) in both seasons. However, the highest yield of soybean (1216.0 and 1239.5 kg fed.-1) in the first and second seasons, respectively, was obtained when soybean plants were grown in 2:4 pattern, whereas, the lowest value was recorded at 2:2 pattern (714.1 and 743.4 kg fed.-1), respectively. The highest values of seasonal water applied (m3 fed.-1) and water consumptive use (cm fed.-1) were observed in 2:2 maize/soybean pattern compared to R.B. 140 cm pattern in the two seasons. On the other hand, the highest values for water use efficiency, i.e. 1.00, 1.01 in the first season and 0.98 and 1.00 in the second season (cereal unit/cm/fed.) water consumed due to R.B. 120 cm and R.B. 140 cm patterns was observed, respectively. Maximum values of total land equivalent ratio (LER) (1.53 and 1.48), and relative crowding coefficients (12.77 and 9.38) were observed with R.B. 140 cm in both seasons, respectively. The data indicated that maize was dominating in all patterns, except for R.B. 120 and 140 cm patterns. The return showed that intercropping soybean with maize in all treatments was higher compared to solid maize or solid soybean planting.
Keywords: (Zea mays L., Glycine max L, land equivalent ratio, water consumptive use, competitive relationships)
