Effect of Spatial Distribution on Competition, Yield and Economics of Spring-Planted Sugarcane Intercropped With Some Oil Crops

Abstract

The effect of two sugarcane row arrangements and intercropping systems with three densities of soybean and/or sunflower on yield and quality of sugarcane as well as the companion crops were investigated in two successive seasons. The study conducted at Mallawi Research Station, Sugar crops Institute, Giza, Egypt during 2013/2014 and 2014/2015. Results showed that, spatial distributions had no significant effects on the most of studied traits. Furthermore; the higher the dense of intercrop the lower the number of millable canes. Sole cane and cane intercropped with 15 and/or 30% soybean showed significant superiority over the other systems in terms of millable stalk weight and cane and sugar yields (ton fed-1). The low dense systems of soybean (15 %) gave the greatest plant yield (kg) and the lowest seed yield (ton fed-1). Moreover; sole systems of soybean and sunflower presented the highest seed and oil yields (ton fed-1). Maximum land equivalent ratios (LERs) were showed in case of sugarcane intercropped 30 % soybean. In addition; data revealed that sunflower showed more competitive than sugarcane when they grew in associations.