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Compatibility Analysis of Mustard and Soybean Stands in Intercrop Association

M.A. Awal
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.

M.H.R. Pramanik
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.

M.A. Hoque
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the co-existence based on the growth and yield performance of different mustard (Brassica napus L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) populations in intercrop association. The different plant populations, each with four replications, were sole stand of mustard or soybean crops, single row intercrops (one row of mustard followed by one row of soybean, MS1), and double row intercrops (two rows of mustard followed by two rows of soybean, MS2). The plant height, branch number per plant, leaf area index, total dry matter, grain yield, and harvest index were maximum in sole crops and those were minimum in MS1 intercrops. Mustard seed yields in MS1 and MS2 intercropping were declined by about 17 and 11%, respectively compared to its sole cropping (1.98 t ha^–1), and the corresponding seed yields of soybean were decreased by about 14 and 8% compared to its sole stands (1.85 t ha^–1). In the spatial associations, performance of mustard and soybean in MS2 intercropping was better than that in MS1 intercropping. The competitive ratio among the partner species in each intercrop approached to unity indicating that the management practices and species used in this study had effectively balanced the competition between them. These results suggest that soybean crop is compatible with mustard stands and may be intercropped with planting two rows of mustard followed by two rows of soybean for their profitable production.

Keywords: Intercropping association, Competitive ratio, Mustard, Soybean

Location: Field laboratory of the Department of Crop Botany

Start Date: 00-11-2006

End Date: 00-03-2007

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Mustard, Soybean

Objectives:

1. The present research was conducted to evaluate the co-existence of mustard and soybean crops based on their growth and yield performance in intercrop association.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the field laboratory of the Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, during the period from November 2006 to March 2007. The experimental field was a medium low land, fairly levelled and silt loam in texture having a soil pH 6.32. The experiment comprised of the treatments viz., sole stand of mustard or soybean crops, single row intercrops (one row of mustard followed by one row of soybean, MS1), and double row intercrops (two rows of mustard followed by two rows of soybean, MS2). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The unit plot size was 4m×4m. For all the sole and intercropped plots, row to row and plant to plant distances in a row were 25 and 5 cm, respectively. Seeds of mustard (cv. BINA Sorisha-4) and soybean (cv. Shohag) were sown as per treatments by hand on 16 November 2006 in north to south (N-S) rows orientation. The basal fertilizers of urea, triple super phosphate and muriate of potash, gypsum, zinc and boron were applied during the final land preparation corresponding to 250, 180, 70, 150, 5 and 1.5 kg ha^–1, respectively. Irrigation, pest control and other intercultural practices were performed as and when necessary to optimise growth and development of the crops. The destructive samplings were furnished at 10 days interval from 35 days after sowing (DAS) and continued till maturity of mustard (75 DAS) or soybean (95 DAS) crops for collecting required data. At each sampling time, five plants were harvested from each plot. The selected plants were uprooted carefully in order to ensure maximum root to be retained. The morphological data were recorded on plant height, number of branches per plant and leaf area. The leaves, stems and roots of the harvested plants were separated and area of the separated leaves was measured with an electronic area meter (LI 3000, USA) and then their corresponding dry weight was recorded after drying at 80oC until constant weight. Finally, the leaf area index (LAI) was calculated as the leaf area/ground area (m² m^–2) based on spacing of the harvested plants. At the end of the experiment, plants were harvested and their yield was calculated on whole plot harvest basis. The competitive ratio (CR) between mustard and soybean was calculated following Willey and Rao. The collected data were statistically analyzed and the analyses of variances (ANOVA) were calculated using computer software programme MSTAT-C. The mean differences were evaluated by least significant difference (LSD) or Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test .

Source of Information: J. Agrofor. Environ. 1(2): 53-57, 2007; ISSN 1995-6983

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The competitive ratio among the partner species in each intercrop approached to unity indicating that the management practices and species used in this study had effectively balanced the competition between them. These results suggest that soybean crop is compatible with mustard stands and may be intercropped with planting two rows of mustard followed by two rows of soybean for their profitable production.

Knowledge Management: Journal