Influence of Varieties and Population of Intercropped Soybean with Maize on Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) and Growth Monetary Value (GMV) of the Component Crops

Abstract

The study was conducted to determining the effect of varieties and population densities of soybean intercropped with maize on LER and GMV of components of associated crops. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replication in factorial combination of three soybean varieties (Boshe, Ethio-Yugoslavia and Didesa) and three soybean plant populations (25%, 50% and 75%) along with respective sole crop of soybean varieties and maize BHQPY-545. The partial land equivalent ratio (PLER) and total land equivalent ratio (TLER) of maize and soybean intercrops were significantly (P<0.01) affected by plant population and soybean variety. The highest LER (1.54) was obtained from the combination of 100% maize x 50% soybean followed by 100% maize x 75% soybean (1.51) and the lowest was from 100% maize x 25% soybean (1.38). The GMV of intercrops was highly significantly (P<0.01) affected by main effect of soybean variety and plant population and cropping system. The highest GMV (36490 ETB ha^-1) and the lowest (32390 ETB ha^-1) were obtained from varieties Didesa and Ethio Yugoslavia intercropped with maize, respectively. Considering the experimental findings intercropping of maize with 50% soybean population and Didesa Variety was recommended for the study area.

Keywords: Glycine max, GMV, LER, intercropping, plant populations, sole cropping, Zea mays  1.