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Bangladesh Agron. J. 2017, 20 (1): 99-105
PERFORMANCE OF INTERCROPPING GROUNDNUT WITH SESAME
M. A. H. Khan, N. Sultana, S. Akhtar, N. Akter and M. S. Zaman
On-Farm Research Division
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Corresponding author: helim1367@gmail.com
Key words: Intercropping, productivity, equivalent yield, land equivalent ratio and harvest
index
Abstract
The experiment was carried out at the farmers’ field of On-Farm Research Division,
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Mymensingh during two
consecutive years 2015 and 2016 to find out the suitable intercropping system for
increasing crop productivity and profitability of groundnut with sesame intercropping
system. The treatments were T1=sole groundnut, T2=sole sesame, T3= Two rows of
groundnut in between paired rows of sesame and T4= Three rows of groundnut in
between paired rows of sesame. Treatments were arranged in a randomized
complete block design with six dispersed replications. Between intercropped
treatments, three rows of groundnut within paired rows of sesame showed higher
sesame equivalent yield (2.33 tha-1) and groundnut equivalent yield (2.14 tha-1) which
provided the yield advantages of 108 and 32% over the respective sole crops. The
highest land equivalent ratio (1.64), gross return (Tk 1,28,350 ha-1) and benefit cost
ratio (2.15) were also achieved in three rows of groundnut within paired rows of
sesame compared to other intercropping and sole cropping systems. The result
showed that three rows of groundnut in between paired rows of sesame is found
most productive and profitable than sole sesame or sole groundnut for maximum
profit in Mymensingh region
Introduction
Bangladesh is an agriculture based country and about 14.75 % gross domestic product (GDP)
comes from agriculture in Bangladesh (AIS, 2017). The main challenge of the new millennium
is to increase yield of per unit area by at least 50 % through manipulating the limited land
resource. Sesame (
Sesamum indicum
L.) is an important oilseed crop ranked second-in terms of
acreage (38057 ha) of land and produces 36,000 metric tons of sesame seeds with an average
yield of 860 kg ha-1 (BBS, 2015). It can be cultivated both in
kharif
and
rabi
seasons. Sesame
is a drought resistant crop. It cannot tolerate water logging or excess moisture in the field.
Seeds contain 42-45 % oil and 20 % protein (Mondal and Wahhab, 2001). The cultivation of
sesame is drastically declining due to widely increasing of rice, maize and mungbean cultivation
in
kharif-I
season. Moreover, sesame competes with jute and different vegetables in the season.
Intercropping plays an important role in increasing the productivity and stability of yield in
order to improve resource utilization and environmental factors (Alizadeh
et al
., 2010).
Research in different countries reveals that intercropping has several benefits to the farmers
including reduction in farm inputs, diversification of diet, addition of cash crops, increased
labour utilization efficiency, reduced risk of crop failure, more efficient use of water resources,
nutrients and reduced problems caused by pests, diseases and weeds (Awal
et al
., 2006). So,
intercropping of sesame with groundnut could help to retain oilseed crops and ensure highest
productivity per unit area as well as supply of oil . Groundnut (
Arachis hypogaea
L.) is the third
100
Khan et al.
most important legume crop in Bangladesh which grown on 31,579 ha of land and produces
56713 metric tons of nut with an average yield of 1.79 t ha-1 (BBS, 2015). Recently the area
of groundnut is being decreased due to the competition with
rabi
crops like wheat, potato,
boro
rice
and mustard (Alom
et. al
., 2009). Moreover, most of the char land of Bangladesh become
inundated in
kharif
season which also one of the causes the decline of groundnut production
area. Some experimental evidences showed that in the sesame field groundnut can be grown as
intercrop. Groundnut var. BARI Chinabadam-8 is short in stature and suitable for early
kharif
and late
kharif
planting. Groundnut can withstand excessive rainfall. So, if sesame crop is
damaged due to heavy rainfall, groundnut crop will thrive and farmers will not lose their crops
fully. The research findings stated that nitrogen fixation in groundnut and the residual benefits
through incorporation of stover to subsequent crops were estimated in farmers’ fields (Mondal
and Wahhab, 2001). Better intercrop production could be achieved with the choice of
appropriate crops population density and planting geometry of component crops (Santalla
et
al
., 2001). Groundnut and sesame in intercropping systems may increase their production and
profit. In this context, the experiment was conducted to find out the suitable intercrop
combination of sesame with groundnut for higher productivity and profitability.
Materials and Methods
The experiment was carried out at the farmers’ field of On-Farm Research Division,
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Mymensingh during two consecutive years
2015 and 2016 to find out the suitable intercropping system for increasing crop productivity
and profitability of groundnut sesame intercropping system. The experimental soil was sandy
loam to silty loam of the medium highland having pH 6.2 to 6.5 under the Agro-ecological
Zone-9 (AEZ-9). The treatments were as T1= sole groundnut, T2= sole sesame, T3= Two rows
of groundnut in between paired rows of sesame and T4= Three rows of groundnut in between
paired rows of sesame. Groundnut var. BARI Chinabadam-8 and Sesame var. BARI Til-4 were
used. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with six dispersed
replications. The unit plot size was 8.0 m x 5.0 m. The seeds of sesame were sown in 30 cm
apart paired rows and 75 cm between two pairs with 5 cm between the plants. The spacing
maintained for sole groundnut was 25 cm x 10 cm for intercropping system, the plant
population of sesame plots remained same as sole plot but it varied for groundnut. The seed
germination of both crops was 95 percent. Seeds of both crops were sown on 07 to 14 March
2015 and 2016. Fertilizers were applied at the rate of 15-32-42-27-2-2 kg NPKSZnB ha-1 in
the form of urea, triple super phosphate, muriate of potash, gypsum, zinc sulphate and boric
acid, respectively (Mondal and Wahhab, 2001). All fertilizers were applied as basal during final
land preparation by broadcasting method. Additional 20 kg ha-1 of urea applied as top dressed
in between two rows of sesame at 25-30 DAS. Thinning was done after 15-20 days of seed
germination in both the years. Mulching and hand weeding were done as and when necessary
to keep the field reasonable weed free. Dursban 2ml L-1 water was sprayed at 15-20 days
intervals as precautionary measure against insects attack. Dithane M-45 2g L-1 water was
sprayed at 15 days intervals at the later stages of groundnut as precautionary measure from
prevalence of disease. Seed, pod and straw yields at harvest were converted into tha-1 after
proper drying. Sesame was harvested on 07-10 June 2015 and 08-12 June 2016 and
groundnut on 07-14 July 2015 and 15-21 July 2016 at physiological maturity..
101
Performance of Intercropping Groundnut with Sesame
Pest and disease incidence: Nitro @ 2mlL-1 water was sprayed twice at 10 days interval for
successful controlling the hairy caterpillar and thrips. Stem rot of sesame was observed
sporadically in the flowering stage of sesame; Baiting @ 2gL-1 water was sprayed twice at 7
days interval for controlling fungal disease. No other disease and insects infestation was
observed during the cropping period. The yield contributing characters of sesame and
groundnut were recorded from 10 randomly selected plants in both the years. Harvest index
(HI) was calculated as per following equation:
HI (%) =
100
yield Biological
yieldGrain
Yield of individual crop was converted into equivalent yield on the basis of the prevailing market
price of individual crop (Prasad and Srivastava, 1991).
Sesame equivalent yield (SEY) = Yield of intercrop sesame +
PsPgYig
and
Groundnut equivalent yield (GEY) = Yield of intercrop groundnut +
PgPsYis
Where, Yig= Yield of intercrop groundnut, Pg= Price of groundnut, Ps= Price of sesame and
Yis= Yield of intercrop sesame
In intercropping systems, relative yield was quantified by (Jokinen, 1991).
Relative Yield of Sesame (RYs):
Yss
Yis
, Relative Yield of Groundnut (RYg):
Ysg
Yig
and
Relative yield total (RYT): RYs + RYg,
Where Yss= Yield of sole sesame, Yis= Yield of intercrop sesame, Ysg= Yield of sole
groundnut and Yig yield of intercrop groundnut.
On the other hand, land equivalent ratio (LER) was used for measuring the efficiency of
intercropping advantages using the resources of environment compared to monoculture. Land
equivalent ratio (LER) were calculated by adding the partial LER for each crop and it was
calculated by the following formula (Mead and Willey, 1980)
LER=
Ysg
Yig
Yss
Yis
Where, Yis=Yield of intercrop sesame, Yss=Yield of sole sesame, Yig=Yield of intercrop
groundnut and Ysg=Yield of sole groundnut
Pooled analysis was done as because there was no significant difference in yield and yield
contributing characters between two years. Data were statistically analyzed using analysis of
variance technique with the help of computer package MSTAT-C and mean comparison
among the treatments was made by LSD test at 5% level of significance.
102
Khan et al.
Results and Discussion
Yield and yield attributes of sesame: It was observed that the seed yields of sesame significantly
influenced intercropping systems but other yield attributes were not insignificant (Table 1). The
highest seed yield (1.12 t ha-1) was recorded from T2 (sole sesame) which was statistically
different with T3 (Two rows of groundnut in between paired rows of sesame) and T4 (Three
rows of groundnut in between two paired rows of sesame). Lower seed yield (0.89 t ha-1) was
obtained from T3 which was statistically significant with other treatments. Higher seed yield of
sesame was observed in monoculture compared to intercropping systems might be due to no
intercrop competition for light, nutrients, moisture and space. This result corroborates with the
findings of Uddin
et al
., (2003). Sesame gave 13 to 21 % lower yield in intercropping
treatments as compared to their corresponding monoculture, though the plant population of
sesame was constant regardless of treatment. The seed yield of sesame was reduced probably
due to intercrop competition between sesame and groundnut. However, additional yield from
groundnut not only compensated the deficit but also gave extra income. This finding is in
conformity with Islam
et al
., (2016). The harvest index (HI) of sesame did not differ by the
intercropping systems; it had higher values in T4>T3>T2 (Table 1).
Table1. Seed yield, yield attributes and harvest index of sesame under sesame + groundnut
intercropping systems in Mymensingh, 2015 and 2016 (Pooled)
Treatments
Plant
height (cm)
Branch
plant-1 (no.)
Capsules plant-1
(no.)
1000-
seed
wt. (g)
Seed yield
( t ha-1)
Harvest
index
(%)
T2
149.0
5.1
86.2
3.2
1.12
37
T3
150.4
5.1
89.8
3.4
0.89
50
T4
151.8
5.0
90.8
3.4
0.97
51
LSD (0.05)
ns
ns
ns
ns
0.20
ns
CV (%)
5.11
8.73
5.32
7.44
6.42
-
Note:- T2=Sole sesame, T3=Two rows of groundnut in between paired rows of sesame and T4= Three
rows of groundnut in between paired rows of sesame.
Yield and yield attributes of groundnut: The variation was found in branches plant-1, kernel
plant-1, shelling percent and nut yield hectare while plant height and 100-kernel weight were
found insignificant (Table 2). The highest nut yield was recorded in T1 (sole groundnut) mainly
due to the higher kernel number plant-1, 100-kernel weight and shelling percent of groundnut.
The nut yield of groundnut was reduced 23 to 46 % in intercropping system than sole crop of
groundnut. This result corroborates with the findings of Razzaque
et al
., (2007) who reported
that less groundnut yield was obtained from intercropping system than sole crop due to shading
effect of chilli on groundnut. In T4 (Three rows of groundnut in between paired rows of
sesame) had higher nut yield due to paired rows planting system of sesame fovoured the growth
of intercropped groundnut and judicious use of growth resources compared to others. These
results are in conformity with the findings of Islam
et al
., (2006). Higher harvest index (HI) of
groundnut was slightly higher in T4 (Three rows of groundnut in between two paired rows of
sesame) possibly owing to use of more assimilates to the reproductive organs (Table 2).
103
Performance of Intercropping Groundnut with Sesame
Table 2. Nut yield, yield attributes and harvest index of groundnut under sesame + groundnut
intercropping systems in Mymensingh, 2015 and 2016 (Pooled)
Treatments
Plant
height
(cm)
Branch
plant-1
(no.)
Kernel
plant-1
(no.)
100- kernel
wt.
(g)
Shelling
(%)
Nut yield
( t ha-1)
Harvest
index
(%)
T1
38.2
7.8
17.2
90.2
66.4
1.62
52
T3
35.0
6.8
13.2
88.4
64.4
0.88
48
T4
36.0
6.6
14.2
89.6
66.0
1.25
53
LSD (0.05)
ns
1.01
2.14
ns
1.74
0.32
-
CV (%)
6.77
9.84
9.90
5.32
8.33
7.62
-
Note:-T1=Sole groundnut, T3=Two rows of groundnut in between two paired rows of sesame and
T4= Three rows of groundnut in between two paired rows of sesame.
Equivalent yield and relative yield: All the intercropping systems gave higher sesame and
groundnut equivalent yield than that of their corresponding sole crops (Table 3). The highest
sesame equivalent yield (2.33 t ha-1) as well as groundnut equivalent yield (2.14 t ha-1) were
recorded from T4 (three rows of groundnut in between two paired rows of sesame) which
covered the yield advantages of 133 and 37 % over their respective sole crops. Such yield
advantage might be due to combined yield of both the crops. The results are in agreement
with the finding of Islam
et. al.
, (2016) who reported that highest turmeric equivalent yield was
found from turmeric (100 %) + 3 rows of sesame in between turmeric lines. The partial relative
yields of intercropped sesame varied from 0.79 to 0.87 and intercropped groundnut ranged
from 0.54 to 0.77 (Table 3). Sesame yield was reduced (13 to 21 %) and groundnut yield
reduced (23 to 46 %) among the intercropping system. The yield was reduced due to lower
plant population. The result showed that T4 was well accommodative in competitiveness in
sesame + groundnut intercropping system (Table 3).
Land equivalent ratio (LER): The land equivalent ratio (LER) was used to assess the
performance of an intercrop relative to the corresponding sole crop (Mead and Willey, 1980).
The highest LER value (1.55) was obtained from T4 (three rows of groundnut in between two
paired row of sesame) which indicated the superiority of intercropping over monoculture (Table
3). It also expressed that by intercropping groundnut with sesame, a farmer can produce 1.25
tons groundnut and 0.97 tons sesame in one hectare of land instead of cultivate those
separately as sole crop.
Table 3. Equivalent yields, relative yields and land equivalent ratio of sesame + groundnut
combinations in Mymensingh, 2015 and 2016 (Pooled)
Treatments
Sesame
equivalent yield
(t ha-1)
Groundnut
equivalent
yield (t ha-1)
Partial relative yield (t ha-1)
Land
equivalent
ratio (LER)
Sesame
Groundnut
T1
1.77
1.62
-
-
1.00
T2
1.12
1.03
-
-
1.00
T3
1.85
1.70
0.79
0.54
1.33
T4
2.33
2.14
0.87
0.77
1.64
Note:-T1=Sole groundnut, T2=Sole sesame, T3=Two rows of groundnut in between paired
rows of sesame and T4= Three rows of groundnut in between paired rows of sesame.
104
Khan et al.
Economic return of intercropping groundnut with sesame: On the basis of two years average
result, the highest monetary return (Tk. 68,535) was observed in T4 (three rows of groundnut
in between two paired rows of sesame) which gave an additional income of Tk. 27,300 over
sole crop of groundnut and Tk. 54,735 over sole crop of sesame (Table 4). Both intercrop
combination gave higher monetary advantages over sole groundnut and sesame. The highest
BCR (2.15) was found in T4 (three rows of groundnut in between two paired rows of sesame)
over other treatments. These results are in agreement with the findings of Islam
et al
. (2016)
who stated that turmeric (100 %) + 3 rows of sesame (100 %) in between turmeric lines
intercropping system gave higher additional income and BCR over the sole crop of turmeric.
Table 4. Economics of intercropping sesame with groundnut in Mymensingh, 2015 and 2016
(average of two years)
Treatments
Gross return
(Tk. ha-1)
Total cost
(Tk. ha-1)
Gross margin
(Tk. ha-1)
BCR
T1
97200
55965
41235
1.74
T2
61600
47800
13800
1.29
T3
101750
57390
44360
1.77
T4
128350
59815
68535
2.15
Market price: Groundnut= Tk. 60 kg-1 and Sesame= Tk. 55 kg-1
Conclusion
Two years average result indicating that intercropping groundnut with sesame gave maximum
productivity as well as economic return than monoculture of component crops. The equivalent
yields, relative yields, land equivalent ratio (LER) values and economic return were found highest
in T4 (three rows of groundnut in between two paired rows of sesame) in groundnut + sesame
intercropping system. Thus it could be concluded that three rows of groundnut in between
paired rows of sesame intercropping system could be adopted for better productivity with
maximum profit for the farmers of Mymensingh regions instead of sole crops.
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