Effect of Intercropping of Sugar Beet With Onion and Garlic on Insect Infestation, Sugar Beet Yield and Economics

Abstract

Intercropping system greatly contributes to crop intensification and production by its effective utilization of resources as compared with monoculture cropping system. The current investigation was conducted at a sugar beet field at El-Riad Districts, Kafrelsheikh Governorate during 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons. The study aimed to investigating the effect of intercropping sugar beet with either onion or garlic on the density of major sugar beet insects. Also, the influence of intercropping on sugar beet yield and yield components and quality was a main target. The economics of such intercropping systems were considered. A split plot design with three replications was used. The main plots were assigned to the intercropping pattern and the sub-plot was allocated to the plant spacing of the second crop The sole sugar beet plots displayed the highest infestations with cotton leaf worm, beet fly, tortoise beetle and beet moth. The lowest infestations were detected in plots having sugar beet intercropped with onion, while the moderate infestations were found in case of sugar beet intercropped with garlic. On the other hand, the insect infestations appeared to be lowest with narrow spacing (25 cm) of onion or garlic hills, but highest with wider spacing (75cm). Concerning the yield, the sole sugar beet produced the highest foliage, root, sugar percentage and total sugar. The values were less in case of sugar beetonion system, and least in case of sugar beetgarlic system. Chemical analysis of sugar beet plants revealed no significant differences among intercropping systems concerning with sodium, Alpha amino-nitrogen α-N and potassium. From the economic point of view, sugar beet intercropped with 25cm-onion gave the highest gross income (14.890 L.E./ fed), followed by that at 50 cm (14.110 L.E./ fed). The sole sugar beet displayed 12.556 L.E., while that intercropped with 75 cm-onion or garlic gave the lowest income 11.90 and 11.520 L.E., respectively. It could be concluded that intercropping sugar beet with 25 cmonion maximized the growers' income and reduced insect pest infestations.

Effect of intercropping systems on yield and its component in onion / faba bean crops .

“…Yildirim and Guvenc (2003) reported that net income increased when used cos lettuce, bean, leaf lettuce or onion as intercrop. Intercropping sugar beet with 25cm-onion maximized the income of farmers and reduced insect pest infestations as reported by Badawy and Shalaby (2015). Moreover, Morsy et al (2009) indicated that intercropping cucumber with onion enhanced leaf number and number of flowers/plant in cucumber.…”

Performance of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Cultivars under the Intercropping with Clover in Arid Land Conditions

“…Values of land return ratio were greater than 1.00 in any intercropping system of sugar beet with wheat, barley, and faba bean, indicating an advantage of the intercropping patterns for land usage and yield gain (Salama et al, 2016). Intercropping sugar beet with 25 cm -onion maximized the growers income and reduced insect pest infestations (Badawy and Shalaby, 2015). Farghaly et al, (2003) reported that yield of sugar beet has been reduced by intercropping with onion or faba bean compared to sole sugar beet.…”

Influence of Two Intercropping Patterns of Onion with Sugar Beet on Some Foliar Diseases and Productivity of Both Crops.

“…Onion was intercropped with sugar beet (Abdel Motagally and Metwally, 2014), faba been (El Refaey et al, 2018 andAlbayati, 2018), or with rape seed, kale, fenugreek, lentil, linseed, black cumin and dill (Getahun et al, 2018). On the other hand, sugar beet was intercropped with onion and garlic (El-Mansoub et al, 2010, Abdel Motagally and Metwally, 2014and Badawy, and Shalaby, 2015, wheat, barley, lentil or faba bean (Ismail et al, 2005;Gadallah et al, 2006;El-Mansoub et al, 2010;Abou khadra et al, 2013;Usmanikhail et al, 2013 andSalama et al, 2016).…”