Faba bean and field pea seed proportion for intercropping system in Horro highlands of Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Intercropping of Faba bean (Vicia fabae) and field pea (Pisum sativum) is an important cropping system in the Horro highlands of Ethiopia, but seed proportions balance is important to intercrop productivity. An experiment was conducted to determine the optimum seed rates on component crop yield and land equivalent ratio. Grain yield of both crops was higher when the relative seeding rate of Faba bean increased, while Faba bean yield was reduced with increase in the seeding rate of field pea. Seed proportions of Faba bean and field pea in the intercrop
significantly (P < 0.05) affected grain yield of both crops. Intercropping of Faba bean and field pea at 75%: 25 % seed rate proportion gave higher grain yield and better marginal rate of return (1003%). Under intercropping Faba bean seed yield was reduced by 21 to 69% and 10 to 34%, for field pea. A maximum land use efficiency 0.53 or relative yield advantage of 53% was obtained from intercropping 75 Faba bean: 25% field pea. Superior productivity of the Faba bean/field pea was obtained from intercropping system. Growing Faba bean both as a
sole crop and intercropping with field pea is a viable option for sustainable productivity in total grain yield and profit to farmers.