Evaluating the efficiency of intercropping systems for three maize hybrids with cowpea on yield productivity and net profit

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center(A.R.C.), Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, (310 07ˉ N Latitude and 300 57ˉ E longitude with an elevation of about 6 meters above mean sea level) during 2019 and 2020 seasons to investigate the effect of four intercropping systems [sole maize,(A)100% maize +50% cowpea on other side of the ridge ( cowpea crop was sown in hills 20 cm apart 2plants in hill), (B) 100% maize +50% cowpea on other side of the ridge ( cowpea was sown in hills 10 cm apart 1 plants in hill), (C) 100% maize +50% cowpea at the two sides of maize  beds120 cm ( cowpea crop was sown in hills 20 cm apart 2 plants in hill),(D) 100% maize +50% cow pea at the two rows on the top of maize beds (cowpea was sown in hills 20 cm apart 2 plants in hill), sole cowpea] with three maize hybrids(Single cross 168, Single cross176 and T. W.C 352) on growth, yield and yield components of both crops. Each experiment was carried out in a split-plot design with three replications. Results could be summarized as follow: 1-Maize: Maize hybrids had a significant effect on all studied characters. S.C 168 hybrid gave the tallest plants and the highest values in the two seasons and combined. While T. W.C 352 hybrid gave the latest and shortest plants and the lowest values in two seasons. Intercropping systems had a significant effect on all studied characters in both seasons. The intercropping system (B) showed that the earliest and tallest plants in the two seasons. While, the intercropping system (D) showed that the latest and shortest plants seasons. The highest values were obtained at the intercropping system (C).2- cowpea: Maize hybrids had a significant effect on all studied characters in both seasons. Sc.176 hybrid gave the tallest plants. While planting cowpea intercropped with Giza168 hybrid, attained the highest values in number of leaves, stem diameter, seed yield/fed and crud protein except plant height Giza168 hybrid according the highest value in two seasons 2019 and 2020 respectively. Intercropping systems had a significant effect in all studied characters, except for plant height and crud protein, the highest
values were obtained when cowpea was grown under intercropping system (C), while the tallest plants were obtained under system (B) in both seasons. Results revealed that intercropping all maize cultivars under study with cowpea attained the highest values of Land Equivalent Ratio and total income for Giza 168 hybrid gave the highest value under system C) 100% maize +50% cowpea at the two sides of maize beds (cowpea crop was sown in hills 20 cm apart 2 plants in hill) in both seasons.