Sequential Intercropping of Common Bean and Mung Bean With Maize in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Most previous studies focused on intercropping systems involving two-crop associations. However, there is much scope to improve existing cropping systems by devising and evaluating modifications that allow more effective use of the season. To this effect, experiments were conducted to quantify efficiency of sequential intercropping consisting of maize (Zea mays L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) during 2007 and 2009 cropping seasons, in southern Ethiopia. Treatments included three-and two-crop associations and equivalent sole crops of components. Land equivalent ratio (LER) and area time equivalency ratio (ATER) were used to estimate intercropping advantage. Maize had the highest partial LER, 0.95, whenever mung bean comes first in the sequence. Comparable partial LERs were observed in common bean irrespective of planting times while mung bean had greater partial LERs from simultaneous rather than sequential planting. Maize had the highest competitive ratio (1.56) followed by common bean (0.67) and mung bean (0.53). The three-crop association involving simultaneous planting of maize with mung bean followed by common bean (MZ + MB − CB) gave the highest mean total LER of 1.66. This combination also had the highest combined productivity and maximum monetary gain, which is above the minimum acceptable marginal rate of return. It exceeded advantages from intercrops of maize-common bean by 41% and maize-mung bean by 23%. Thus, farmers would get greater advantage from practicing sequential intercropping in areas where the season is sufficient to grow long-duration maize.

Effect of Intercropping in Nipped Castor (Ricinus communisL.) Under Rainfed Conditions

“…While, the lowest ATER value was recorded by the castor + grain amranth (0.71). These results are in conformity with Mudalagiriyappa et al (2011) and Walelign Worku (2014).…”

Performance variation among improved common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes under sole and intercropping with maize (Zea mays L.)

“…The bean component may not have exerted much competition on the maize component either because of the competitiveness of the maize hybrids and/or the less aggressive nature of the bean genotypes (Muraya et al, 2006). In other studies, maize yield did not suffer from intercropping when the bean was planted a month after maize emergence (Gebeyehu et al, 2006) and from relay planting (Davis and Gracia, 1983;Worku, 2014). The long growth duration of maize and its dominant nature provided by its architecture may have lessened a strong competition from common bean.…”

“…Thus, intercropping advantage from genotypes may not necessarily reflect performance under sole cropping indicating the need for evaluating genotypes under intended cropping systems. Yield advantages from maize-bean associations have been reported in several studies (Gebeyehu et al, 2006;Muraya et al, 2006;Worku, 2008Worku, , 2014Workayehu and Wortmann, 2011). Though most of the contribution was derived from the dominant component, maize, differences in intercropping advantage appeared due to variability among the associated bean genotypes.…”

Growth, Yield and Nutritional Performance of Sweet Sorghum and Legumes in Sole and Intercropping Influenced by Type of Legume, Nitrogen Level and Air Quality

“…Mungbean has a faster growth habit and greater competitive ability than soybean [41]. Doubled plant population of mungbean and lower intra-row spacing between sweet sorghum and mungbean have aggravated the competitive ability between sweet sorghum and mungbeanand thus led to a reduction of growth and yield parameters.…”