Evaluation of Yield Stability in Intercropping: Studies on Sorghum/Pigeonpea

Abstract

S U M M A R Y Data from 94 experiments on sorghum/pigeonpea intercropping were examined for evidence that the stability of yield is greater with intercropping than sole cropping. Stability of the major component (sorghum) was examined by calculating the distribution of yields; stability of the overall intercropping system was examined by calculating coefficients of variation, by computing regressions of yield against an environmental index, and by estimating the probability of monetary returns falling below given 'disaster' levels. All these approaches have some merit; taking the last as an example, it was found that for a particular 'disaster' level quoted, sole pigeonpea would fail one year in five, sole sorghum one year in eight, but intercropping only one year in thirty-six. Intercropping gave yield advantages under a wide range of environmental conditions and there was no significant evidence that advantages were greater under stress. This is discussed in relation to possible mechanisms contributing to greater yield stability.

Effect of Varieties and Population of Intercropped Soybean with Maize on Yield and Yield components at Haro Sabu, Western Ethiopia

“…The highest grain yield of maize from 50% population of soybean variety Boshe might be due to reduction in competition for growth resources due to its early maturity of the intercropped variety. This result was in conformity with that of Rao (1980) who reported that early maturing legume varieties could lead to increased productivity of the cereal component. The yield reduction due to 75% population of variety Ethio Yugoslavia might be due to its late maturity (141.55 days) which was almost same with the maize component.…”

Study on Intercropping Carrot with Groundnut Under Different Row Arrangements

“…It increases total production in addition to stabilization of production in the rainfed areas (Rao and Willey, 1980). Intercropping provides an opportunity to avoid crop competition and advantages of increased production (Rahman, 1999 andMondal et al, 1999) and greater profit margin (Evans, 1960;Grimes, 1963) and gives higher resource use efficiency (Hashem and Moniruzzaman, 1986).…”

Yield, its components and pest incidence in mixed intercropping of oats (Avena sativa) and field beans (Vicia faba)

“…In many cases intercropping improves the reliability of the legume component in particular. In the system studied by Rao and Willey (1980), i.e. sorghum/pigeonpea cultivation in India, it was estimated that monocrops would fail once in five to eight years, but intercrops in only one year out of 36.…”