EFFECTS OF INTERCROPPING MAIZE (Zea mays L.) AND SOYBEAN (Glycine max (L.) MERRIL) AND BLENDED NPS FERTILIZER RATE ON YIELD AND YIELD RELATED TRAITS OF THE COMPONENT CROPS AT BAKO DISTRICT, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out at Bako Agricultural Research Center, during 2017 with the objectives of evaluating the effect of maize-soybean intercropping and blended NPS on yields and yield traits of the component crops. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replication in factorial combination of three soybean planting densities (25% (125, 000), 50% (250,000) and 75% (375,000)) and four fertilizer rate (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1). Maize (BH 546), and Soybean (Didesa) varieties were used. Interaction had highly significantly (p<0.01) affected Plant height, Days to 50% silking and Leaf area index of maize. The tallest plant height (261 cm) was recorded at 50% soybean population with 100kgNPS-rate.The 150kg NPS-rate with 25% soybean population significantly hastened days to 50% silking. The highest leaf area index (88.60) of maize was recorded by soybean population of 25% with 50kg NPS ha-1 intercropped with maize. Interaction of the intercropped maize significantly (P<0.05) affected number of ears per plant, hundred kernel weight and grain yield of maize. The highest hundred kernel weight (33.67 g) was obtained for 50% soybean population with 100kg NPS-rate. The highest LAI (72.75) was obtained from 50% soybean population and all plant population except 25% produced more than one ear per plant. Grain yield (tha-1) of maize was significantly affected by soybean populations and fertilizers and highly significantly affected by interaction effect. The highest grain yield (1.79t ha-1) was obtained for 50kg NPS-rate and 25% soybean populations. Harvest index (HI) was highly significantly (P<0.01) affected by plant population, NPS rate and cropping system while non-significantly affected by their interaction. Plant height (cm) was significantly (P˂0.05) affected by soybean population. The highest significantly tallest plant height (83.80cm) was recorded for 100% plant population. Grain yield (tha-1) of soybean was highly significantly affected by main effect of plant population, interaction effect. The highest (0.164 t ha-1) grain yield was recorded for 150kg NPS-rate with 50% soybean population. Total LER was significantly affected by soybean population. The highest (13.02) was recorded for 25% soybean population. Gross Monetary Value was significantly affected by main effect of fertilizer and soybean population and highly significantly affected by cropping system. In this regard 25% soybean population was the best in intercropping system to maximize the productivity and 100kg NPSha-1 was the best compatible rate in intercropping for this experiment.