Evaluation of Crop Performance and Determination of N+P Fertilizer Rate for Highland Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Intercropping with Haricot Bean {Phaseolus vulgaris (L.)} for Increased Productivity at Highland Areas of West Hararge, Ethiopia

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Research areas:
Year:
2021
Type of Publication:
Article
Keywords:
Row Intercropping, Mixed Intercropping, Yield Advantage, Net Economic Benefit, Land Equivalent Ratio
Authors:
Husen Yesuf Sirba; Ashenafi Getahun
Journal:
IJRIES
Volume:
8
Number:
6
Pages:
74-95
Month:
November
ISSN:
2394-1375
BibTex:
Abstract:
The field experiment was conducted to evaluate productivity of highland sorghum intercropping with haricot bean, to identify the best planting arrangement and different fertilizer application rates for component crop and to assess the economic importance of component crops. Treatments used were factorial 6x3 combination of six level cropping systems with three level N+P fertilizer rates arranged in RCBD with three replications. Cropping systems were consisted of three level row intercropping [(1:1), (2:1) & (1:2) sorghum + haricot bean with population proportions of 53532:125,000, 53332:62,500 & 53332:250,000 ha-1], one level mixed intercropping, sore sorghum with 53,332 and sole haricot bean with 250,000 population ha-1. Similarly, N+P fertilizers were included control (0N+0P), 0N+46P & 46N+46P rates. The analysis of the variance showed that cropping system was significantly influenced the grain yield, very highly significantly (P≤ 0.0001) affected the head weight, stand count and harvest index of sorghum. Similarly, N+P fertilizer rates were highly significantly (P≤ 0.001) influenced the grain yield, very highly significantly (P≤ 0.0001) affected the pod number, stand count and plant height of haricot bean. Moreover, the interaction effect of cropping system with N+P rates was caused very highly significant effect on grain yield of haricot bean but non-significantly affected all parameters of sorghum. The highest grain yield (3.12tha-1) & (1.18tha-1) of sorghum and haricot bean respectively were obtained from intercropped sorghum at (1:1) sorghum + haricot bean row arrangement and sole haricot bean respectively. The grain yield of intercropped sorghum was increased by 6.93% over sole-cropped, however, grain yield of haricot bean was reduced by 35.6 - 49.15% when intercropped with sorghum. Likewise, the highest grain yield (3.08tha-1) & (1.05tha-1) of sorghum and haricot bean respectively were obtained from use of 46N+46P and 0N+46Prates respectively, and grain yield of sorghum and haricot bean were increased by (12.99%) & (31.43%) respectively as compared to control (0N+0Prate). On the other hand, the highest grain yield (1.43tha-1) of haricot bean was obtained from interaction of sole haricot bean with 0N+46P fertilizer rate. Partial budget analysis indicated that the highest net economic benefit (34,391.12 ETBha-1) & (13,082.12ETBha-1) of sorghum and haricot bean respectively were recorded from use of 46N+46P and 0N+46P fertilizer rates respectively. Again, the highest TLER (1.69) was recorded from (1:1) sorghum + haricot bean row intercropped arrangement indicating yield advantage over mono-cropping system. Generally, the result of this study confirmed that sorghum-haricot bean row intercropping system was the best strategy to maximize productivity of sorghum and to improve income of smallholder farmers, then, intercropped sorghum at (1:1) sorghum + haricot bean row arrangement was the best and could be recommended for maximum productivity of sorghum, while mono-cropping system was found to be preferable over intercropping for grain yield of haricot bean. Similarly, the use of N+P rates was also important to maximize grain yield and caused the highest net economic benefit, therefore, 46N+46Pand 0N+46P rates respectively could be recommended for sorghum and haricot bean respectively.