Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), and Competition Indices in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) – Sesame (Sesamum indicum) Intercropping System

Abstract

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and sesame (Sesamum indicum) are two major crops in Islamic Republic of IRAN. In the northeast of IRAN, most farmers' landholdings are less than 5 hectares; therefore cotton production cost is high. Agricultural experts suggest that one method for improving productivity is intercropping system. This research was done to study advantages or disadvantages of intercropping of cotton and sesame through investigation of Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) and competition indices. The experiment was conducted during 2015 growing seasons in Cotton Research Institute (C.R.I.). It was included a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. Treatments were intercropping patterns of cotton (c) and sesame (s) (1c:1c, 1c:2s, 2c:1s, 3c:1s, 1c:3s, sole cotton, sole sesame). Substitution method of intercropping was done. Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Relative Crowding Coefficient (k), Aggressivity (A), Competitive Ratio (CR), Actual Yield Loss (AYL), and Relative Value Total (RVT) were evaluated. Results revealed that, Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Relative Crowding coefficient (K), Aggressivity (A), Competitive Ratio (CR) values of cotton generally were more than sesame. Planting cotton in intercropping with sesame had a higher monetary profitability too. In this study the best intercropping pattern for acquiring a highest Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) and monetary profitable was (3:1).

Effect of Cotton and Soybean Intercropping on the Production Indicators of the Two Crops

“…While all Intercropping systems when planting at a distance of (15 and 25 cm) for the cotton crop had values higher than (0.25), and their highest values were (0.29 and 0.33), respectively, in the Intercropping system (2: 2) cotton: soybean, while The values of (LEC) were less than (0.25) in Intercropping systems (1: 1 and 1: 2) for cotton: soybeans when planting at a distance of (20 cm) for the cotton crop.While it was higher than (0.25) in the Intercropping system (2:2) cotton: soybean and reached (0.27) because the Land Equivalent Coefficient is a measure of the interaction relationship between the two crops in different loading systems, and if it was higher than (0.25) it indicates the strength of the relationship for this mixture And an indication of the possibility of independence of the growth requirements available in the soil and its surroundings in favour of the two crops without competition,These results are in agreement with the findings of [21] and [17] who indicated that increasing plant density leads to an increase in LEC. 5) that the cotton yield has a Competitive Ratio (CRA) higher than one in the Intercropping systems (1: 1 and 2: 2) Cotton: soybeans when planting a distance of (15, 20 and 25 cm) between plants and in the Intercropping system (2 : 2) Cotton: Soybeans when the cotton crop is planted at a distance of (10 cm), and this confirms the dominance of the cotton crop in these systems of intercropping and has the highest competitive ability of the soybean crop While it is noted that the soybean crop had competitive values (CRb) higher than one in the Intercropping system (1:2) of competition indicators when planted Intercropping in this system and the cotton crop is planted with a distance of (15 and 20 cm) as the values of (CRb) and (2.03),Also, the competitive values of soybean crop were higher than the one when planting system (1:1) cotton: soybean and cotton crop cultivation with a distance of (10 cm), which is an indication that the soybean crop has a higher competitive ability than cotton in the intercropping cultivations according to the Intercropping system ( 1: 2) Cotton: Soybean, These results are in agreement with [22] and [17] who found that the values of competition in cotton were higher than that of sesame, and the cotton yield was greater than one when Intercropping compared to monoculture.…”

Land Efficiency of Functional Food Sweet Corn Intercropped with Vegetable Soybean in Application of Integrated Fertilizers

“…Not influenced by cropping pattern LER, ATER, A and CR were higher than sesame. In addition, planting cotton among sesame has higher monetary benefits than sesame sole monoculture 30 . The highest seed yield was obtained in intercropping through 2 rows of cowpea plants between maize plants.…”

Evaluation of Intercropping System of Sweet Corn (Zea mays-saccharata Sturt) and Vegetable Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) in Integrated Fertilizer Application

“…Not influenced by cropping pattern LER, ATER, A, CR were higher than sesame. In addition, planting cotton among sesame has higher monetary benefits than sesame monoculture (Donyavian et al, 2018). The highest seed yield was obtained in intercropping through 2 row of cowpea plants between maize plant.…”