Effect of Varieties and Population of Intercropped Soybean with Maize on Yield and Yield components at Haro Sabu, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out at Haro Sabu Agriculture Research Center, during
2013 with the objectives of determining the effect of varieties and population densities of
soybean intercropped with maize on yield and yield components of associated crops and
productivity of the system. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replication in
factorial combination of three soybean varieties (Boshe, Ethio-Yugoslavia and Didesa)
and three soybean plant populations (25%, 50% and 75%) along with respective sole
crop of soybean varieties and maize BHQPY-545. Plant density of the intercropped
soybean varieties significantly (P<0.05) affected number of ears per plant, thousand
kernel weight and HI of maize. The higher number of ears per plant (2.30), thousand
kernels weight (243.88 g) and HI (38.11%) were obtained from 25% soybean population.
The highest number of ears per plant (2.31) was obtained from intercropping of maize
with soybean variety Boshe. Maize grain yield was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the
interaction of main effects. The highest maize grain yield (7.33 t ha^-1) was obtained from
the combination of 50% soybean population of variety Boshe. Sole cropped maize gave
significantly higher number of kernels per ear, biological yield, grain yield and HI than the
respective intercrop. Biological yield and grain yield of soybean were significantly
(P<0.01) affected by soybean varieties. Biological yield (5.53t ha^-1) and grain yield (2.20 t
ha^-1) of soybean was recorded for variety Didesa. Plant population and soybean variety
significantly (P<0.01) affected number of pod per plant. The highest number of pod per
plant (50 and 45) was obtained from 25% soybean population and variety Boshe,
respectively. Number of pod per plant also significantly (P<0.05)affected by cropping
system. The higher grain yield (2.09t ha^-1) was obtained from soybean population of
75%. Considering the experimental findings intercropping of maize with 50% soybean
population and Didesa Variety was recommended for the study area