Wahua, T.A.T. and Miller, D.A. (1978) Effects of Intercropping on Soybean N2-Fixation and Plant Composition on Associated Sorghum and Soybeans. Agronomy Journal, 70 (2). pp. 292-295.
![[img]](http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/style/images/fileicons/application_pdf.png) |
PDF
Restricted to ICRISAT researchers only |
Abstract
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) are being intercropped in tropics so that crops more effectively utilize water; there is better weed control, and soil fertility is improved. A field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of sorghum-soybean intercropping on soybean N2-fixation and plant composition of both crops. The soil was a Flanagan series, a fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Aquic-Argiudoll. Soybeans were intercropped with tall and semi- dwarf sorghum cultivars at 16 population densities from 1.38 to 33. plants/m2. Soybean N2-fixation was estimated by acetylene reduction. Various plant parts were analyzed for present N. Nitrogen-fixation by soybeans grown with tall sorghum was reduced 99% due to reduction in number of nodules per plant (77%), weight per nodule (50%), and specific nodule activity, SNA, (96%). Soybean dry matter and seed percent oil were also reduced by 87 and 8%, respectively. Soybean percent seed protein and leaf N were unaffected by intercropping. Soybeans grown with semi-dwarf sorghum fixed 2.64 times more N than plants in monoculture but produced 40% less dry matter and 3% less oil in seed. Percent seed protein and leaf and stem N of soybeans were unaffected by intercropping. The increase in N2-fixation was probably due to increases in number of nodules per plant (62%) and SNA (364%). Possible involvement of allelo- pathy, NO3- absorption, delayed senescence, and inter- specific mechanical support was considered. Protein yield of intercropped tall and semi-dwarf sorghum was reduced by 15 and 71%, respectively. Only in the dwarf cultivar did intercropping increase percent seed protein by 15%. Sorghum grain oil was unaffected by intercropping
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Nodule activity, Mixture, Percent N, Protein yield, Population density |
| Author Affiliation: | Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan(Nigeria) |
| Subjects: | Crop Improvement |
| Divisions: | Sorghum Soyabean |
| Depositing User: | Ms K Syamalamba |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Jan 2012 10:33 |
| Last Modified: | 05 Jan 2012 10:36 |
| Official URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj1978.0002196200700... |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/2917 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
