Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Former student Department of Production Engineering and Plant Genetic,Agricultural Faculty, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
2 Professor of Department of Production Engineering and Plant Genetic, Agricultural Faculty,Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
3 Associate Professor of Department of Production Engineering and Plant Genetic, Agricultural faculty, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Abstract
Objective: The advantages of intercropping in improving the efficiency of resource utilization have been demonstrated across the world. Intercropping is widely used as an important means to provide food security, diversify cropping systems, promote sustainable agricultural development, and efficiently utilize limited labor on smallholder farms. One of the key points in intercropping is providing sufficient nitrogen. Nitrogen is the first and main element required for the optimal growth and development of plants. The present study was carried out in order to investigating the yield, yield components and useful indicators of Dragon’s headin intercropping with castor at different levels of nitrogen fertilizer.
Materials and Methods: The experimental design was split plot based on randomized complete block design in three replications, in the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture of Shahid Chamran University during the crop year of 2022-23. The main-plot was include: nitrogen fertilizer amounts in three levels (0, 50 and 100 kg.ha-1) and the sub-plot was include of different density of cultivation of two plants in 5 levels (pure cultivation of castor, castor + 20, 40, 60 plants.m-2 of Dragon’s head and pure Dragon’s head. The experiment was carried out as additive intercropping where the main plant was castor and its density was considered constant and equivalent to 8 plants.m-2.
Results: The results of the comparison of the average of the experimental traits Dragon’s head also showed that with the increase in the amount of nitrogen fertilizer, the average of the traits increased significantly. So that the maximum number of leaves per plant (35.2 leaves), the number of sub-branches (11.45 branches), the number of capsules per plant (188.8 capsules), the number of seeds per capsule (2.47 seeds), the weight of one thousand seeds (4.68 g), grain yield (892 kg.ha-1) and biomass yield (2128 kg.ha-1) were observed in the treatment of 100 kg nitrogen fertilizer. Among the density levels, it was also observed that the average grain yield and biomass of Dragon’s head in pure culture were 1000 and 2224 kg.ha-1, respectively, which were significantly higher than other experimental levels. The average yield of the intercropping under the conditions of application of 50 and 100 kg of nitrogen increased by 57 and 105% compared to the control treatment (zero) to values of 2316 and 3026 kg.ha-1, respectively. The LER in the treatments of 40 and 60 plants.m-2 of Dragon’s head+ castor increased by 14 and 26%, respectively, compared to the treatment of 20 plants.m-2 of urban Dragon’s head + castor (1.34 and 1.47, respectively).Conclusion: Also, the total yield of the intercropping and LER increased significantly, which indicated the success of the intercropping cultivation of these two plants, and it is possible to cultivate these two low-expected plant species in order to increase the utilization of available resources and inputs in tropical and subtropical regions with Recommended to conduct further studies.
Keywords
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