Intercropping of African marigold (Tagetes erecta Linnaeus (Asteraceae)) Varieties at Different Plant Density with Tomato (Solanum iycopersicum Linnaeus (Solanaceae)) on Yield Related Traits and Yield of tomato at Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Tomato is among the most important vegetable crops in Ethiopia. Planting marigolds between tomatoes protects the tomato plants from harmful root-knot nematodes in the soil and increase the marketable fruit yield of tomato by trapping different insects and pest attack and the like. Field experiment was conducted to assess effect of plant densities of intercropped African Marigold Varieties on yield related traits and yield of tomato and to evaluate the productivity and economic value of tomato and African marigold intercropping system, in southern parts of Ethiopia, at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center in 2017/18 cropping season. Three varieties of African marigold (AVT 001, AVT 540 and AVT 7063) at three population densities (PD) (25%, 50%, and 75%) were intercropped with tomato variety 'Melkashola'. The three varieties of African marigold (AFM) and tomato were included as a sole for comparison. Randomized complete block design in factorial with three replications was used. Plant height, days to 50% flowering, days to physiological maturity and days to first harvest of tomato were not significantly affected by varieties of African marigold, population densities, interaction and cropping system. Harvest duration of tomato was delayed (27.56 days) and hastened (25.78 days) by variety AVT 540 and AVT 001, respectively as compared to VAT 7063. The highest (7.56) number of primary branches was due to 50% PD African marigold (AFM). The 50% PD delayed harvest duration (29.56 days) as compared to other PD. The highest number of harvest (3.91), numbers of fruit per plant (45.89) and number of fruit per cluster (15.56) were also obtained due to 50% PD. The highest fruit weight (13.80 ton ha -1 ) and marketable fruit yield (13.11 ton ha -1 ) were also obtained from 50% PD, but the highest unmarketable fruit yield (3.24 ton ha -1 ) was obtained from 25%. Cropping system was showed non-significant effect except marketable and unmarketable fruit yield of tomato, the highest marketable (10.19 ton ha -1 ) and unmarketable (4.37 ton ha -1 ) fruit yield were obtained from intercropped and sole cropping of tomato respectively .The highest (0.84) partial land equivalent ratio (LER) of tomato and total LER (1.43) were due to 50% PD. The highest value of monetary advantage index (37,225 ETB ha -1 ) was due to 50% PD. Therefore, any of the three African marigold varieties at 50% PD could be recommended for intercropping with tomato.