Evaluation of Water Use Efficiency in Intercropping of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), Cotton (Gossypium spp.), and fodder Beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris L.) based on the Traditional Pattern of Planting in Khorasan
Journal Title: Journal of Agroecology - Year 2024, Vol 15, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction At present, farmers are facing problems of shrinking landholding size, degradation of natural resources, climatic vulnerabilities, and low financial returns due to escalating costs of cultivation and inefficient utilization of agro-inputs. Thus, production per unit area of land, time, and inputs needs to be improved by efficiently capturing the solar energy and carbon dioxide for conversion into economic products. In recent years, there has been increased interest in agricultural production systems in order to achieve high productivity and promote sustainability over time. Intercropping, as a common method in sustainable agricultural systems, plays an important role in increasing productivity and yield stability to improve the utilization of resources. One of the most important benefits of intercropping is increasing production per unit area compared with sole cropping. The reason for increasing the yield in the intercropping is the better use of environmental factors such as water, nutrients, and light. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of mixed and row intercropping on yield and yield components of sunflower, cotton, and fodder beet. Materials and Methods In order to study the effects of mixed and row intercropping of cotton, sunflower, and fodder beet on yield and yield components in three species, a split-plot experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with three replicates was performed in research farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2017-2018. Cropping pattern (mixed or row intercropping) was allocated to the main plots and different planting ratios (50% Cotton +37.5% Sunflower +12.5% fodder beet, 50% Cotton +37.5% fodder beet +12.5% Sunflower, 33.3% Cotton +33.3% Sunflower +33.3% fodder beet, sole cropping of Cotton, sole cropping of Sunflower and sole cropping of fodder beet) were assigned to the sub-plots. Yield and yield components, as well as indices such as Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) and Water Use Efficiency (WUE), were measured. SAS ver.9.1 was used to analyze data, and mean comparison was performed based on the Duncan test. Results and Discussion The results indicated that in the intercropping of cotton, fodder beet, and sunflower and in all plant ratios, the total LER was more than one. The highest LER was obtained in 50% cotton + 37.5% sunflower + 12.5% fodder beet ratio and in both mixed and row intercropping patterns. The lowest LER was observed in the ratio of 50% cotton + 37.5% fodder beet + 12.5% sunflower and the mixed intercropping pattern. The highest amount of LER in cotton was obtained in the ratio of 50% cotton + 37.5% fodder beet + 12.5% sunflower and in both methods of mixed and row intercropping and in the ratio of 50% cotton + 37.5% sunflower + 12.5 % fodder beet was obtained in row intercropping pattern. In 33.3% cotton + 33.3% fodder beet + 33.3% sunflower ratio, cotton had the lowest partial LER in both mix and row intercropping patterns. Among different ratios of cotton planting, sole cropping, with 0.32 kg / m3, had the highest and ratio of 33.3% cotton + 33.3% fodder beet + 33.3% sunflower, with 0.13 kg / m3, had the lowest water use efficiency. Conclusions Due to the different morphology, phenology, and growth type of plants used in the present study, it seems that the intercropping of cotton-sunflower and fodder beet can increase the efficiency of using resources, especially water. So, intercropping is one of the highly promising approaches for enhancing agricultural productivity and profitability that can provide sustainability in the agricultural ecosystem. Intercropping reduces the risk of crop failure, improves productivity per unit area, improves profitability, and can provide a pathway to food security in vulnerable production systems. Acknowledgments This research (Grant No. 47291) was funded by Vice Chancellor for Research of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, which is hereby acknowledged.
Authors and Affiliations
A Koocheki,Mehdi Nassiri Mahalati,Maryam Javadi,Seyyed jalil Davarpanah,
Keywords
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- EP ID EP731346
- DOI DOI: 10.22067/agry.2021.68427.1014
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