Comparative study on temporal and spatial complementarity ... 1 forrage english.pdfComparative study...

Comparative study on temporal and spatial complementarity and profitability of forage

sorghum-soybean intercropping systems

Iqbal, M.A.; Iqbal, A.; Ayub, M.; Akhtar, J.

Custos e @gronegócio on line - v. 12, n. 4 – Oct/Dec - 2016. ISSN 1808-2882

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Comparative study on temporal and spatial complementarity and

profitability of forage sorghum-soybean intercropping systems

Reception of originals: 08/07/2016

Release for publication: 11/04/2016

Muhammad Aamir Iqbal

Institutions: University of Agriculture Faisalabad

University of California Davis

Address: Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan

Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, USA

E-mail: [email protected]

Asif Iqbal

Institution: University of Agriculture Faisalabad

Address: Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan

E-mail: [email protected]

Muhammad Ayub


Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan.

Javaid Akhtar


Address: Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad-

38040, Pakistan

Abstract

A two year field trial was executed to determine the effect of planting times and spatial

arrangements on physiological growth, agro-qualitative attributes and profitability of

sorghum-soybean intercropping systems during 2013 and 2014. There were three planting

times: sorghum + soybean sown at the same time (S1), sorghum sown 15 days before soybean

(S2), sorghum sown 15 days after soybean (S3) and four spatial arrangements (sorghum and

soybean sown in 1:1(T1), 1:2(T2), 2:1(T3) and 2:2 (T4) row proportions). The experiment was

carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangements and

was replicated thrice. The statistical analysis of data revealed that forage sorghum sown 15

days before soybean in 2:1 row proportion (S2T3) recorded the highest physiological growth.

The same treatment was instrumental in giving the highest quality forage with considerably

higher crude protein, ether extractable fat and ash contents; however soybean performed

better when it was sown 15 days before forage sorghum in 2:2 row proportions (S3T4). Data

regarding economic analysis for different intercropping systems revealed that the highest net

income of Rs. 42971 and Rs. 46871 ha-1

and BCR of 2.13 and 2.24 were earned from

sorghum sown 15 days before soybean in 2:1 row proportion (S2T3) during 2013 and 2014

respectively. Overall, it is concluded that delaying soybean sowing for 15 days after sorghum

not only increased forage quality but profit was also augmented.

Keywords: Glycine max L. Intercropping. Spatial arrangements. Sorghum bicolor L.

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1. Introduction

Forages are deemed to be the most nutritious and economical feed for dairy animals

(Iqbal et al., 2015). Among forages, cereal forages occupy central position due to higher

biomass production per unit area and ultimately farmers are able to extract more economic

returns with increased milk and meat production (Addo et al., 2011). However, it is a matter

of grave concern that cereal forages provide only 10-15% of animal feed globally and the rest

comes from other expensive and comparatively less nutritious sources (Iqbal et al., 2015b).

Among cereal forages, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) holds great potential to yield

large quantities of green forage for dairy entrepreneurs as well as small farmers and that too

with considerably less irrigation and fertilization requirements than forage maize (Iqbal and

Bethune, 2015). Sorghum can be successfully grown on even marginal lands due to its

potential to tolerate salinity and other soil toxicities (Arshad and Ranamukhaarachchi, 2012).

It is also worth mentioning that sorghum is not comparable on animal nutrition scale and

resultantly large ruminants need to be supplemented with protein rich concentrates to obtain

sustainable milk supplies (Ahmad et al., 2007).

Protein supplements are quite expensive and act as a triggering agent in sky-rocketing

the cost of production of milk and resultantly farmers suffer a huge loss in their net economic

returns (Ayub et al., 2004: Iqbal and Iqbal, 2015). Furthermore, in comparison with staple

food and cash crops, farmers are not able to get same profit with cereal forages including

sorghum cultivation on per unit land basis and this economic factor has led many farmers to

switch to cash crops instead of forage crops (Samuel and Dejene, 2003).

Intercropping of forage sorghum with legumes like soybean can be an option to

increase green forage yield per unit land area with comparatively better agro-qualitative

attributes of forage (Surve et al., 2011) and ultimately increased economic returns can put a

halt to switching from forages to cash crops. Intercropping is a practice which involves

sowing of two or more component crops on the same piece of agricultural land for boosting

productivity and profit of the farmers (Tajudeen, 2010).

Cereal-legumes intercropping offers numerous advantages like higher productivity due

to exploitation of different soil horizons by component crops, reduce incidence of insect-pest

due to changed microclimate caused by component crops having different agro-botanical

characteristics and last but not least diversification of farm out puts (Pal and Sheshu, 2001).







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Legumes intercropping with cereals have been described by majority of the

researchers as nitrogen saving strategy (Yadav and Solanki, 2002) because some experiments

have revealed that in well conducive environments for biological nitrogen fixation, nitrogen

fertilizer dose may be reduced up to 50% (Asafu-Agyei et al., 1997). As fertilizers have

played their part in multiple environmental hazards such as eutrophication, global warming,

climate change, ground water contamination and ozone depletion in stratosphere, thus

legumes offer environmentally sound and agriculturally stable option and their inclusion in

intercropping systems with cereals is bound to increase the productivity as well as the stability

of cropping systems (Crew and Peoples, 2004).

Cereals-legumes intercropping systems not only increase the primary nutrients (N&P)

concentration in roots and shoots of crop plants but also enhance micro-nutrients absorption

(Singh and Singh, 2004). It was revealed that when maize was intercropped with peanuts, then

the concentration of micro nutrients was increased in the shoots of component crops. It was

recorded that in intercropping systems, there was 2.5 fold more concentration of zinc and iron

in shoots as compared to their mono cropping. Potassium concentration in shoot was also

increased, while Calcium concentration was decreased in shoots of component crops (Inal et

al., 2007).

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an excellent annual forage legume with a fairly high

forage potential and may be a good option to be intercropped with forage sorghum. It has the

potential to yield a reasonably high dry matter yield and that too in a short span of time (Addo

et al., 2011). Soybean though mostly cultivated as an oil seed crop, but it is highly desirable

forage for dairy animals because of considerably higher protein than other forage legumes

(Ahmad et al., 2001). Another advantage associated with soybean is its ability to fix

atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic nitrogen fixing process (Akunda, 2001).

It has been reported that though sorghum and legumes intercropping resulted in higher

total biomass production but the yield of component crops was decreased due to intense

competition for growth resources (Cochran and Schlentner, 1995). Thus delayed sowing of

one of the component crops might reduce the drastic impact of dominant crop on

physiologically recessive crop (Akhtar et al., 2013). Furthermore, the role of spatial

arrangements has rarely been investigated for sorghum-soybean intercropping systems under

irrigated conditions. Thus different spatial arrangements also need to be optimized for

boosting the productivity and profitability of sorghum-soybean intercropping systems.







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Thus, the present study was conducted with the trilateral objectives to evaluate the

physiological growth of forage sorghum, to assess the agro-qualitative attributes of

component crops and to analyze the profitability of sorghum-soybean intercropping systems

under different planting times and spatial arrangements in irrigated conditions.

2. Materials and Methods

The location of the experiment was Agronomic Research Area of the Department of

Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during two consecutive years of

2013 and 2014. Experimental site lies between 30.35-41.47°N latitude and 72.08-73.40°E

longitude at an elevation of 184.4 m above sea level. The experiment was laid out in different

fields during 2013 and 2014.

The experimental treatments were consisted of three planting times: sorghum +

soybean sown at the same time (S1), sorghum sown 15 days before soybean (S2), sorghum

sown 15 days after soybean (S3) and four spatial arrangements: sorghum and soybean sown in

1:1 row proportion (T1), 1:2 row proportion (T2), 2:1 row proportion (T3) and 2:2 row

proportions (T4). Thus there were twelve treatments in total.

The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with

factorial arrangements and was replicated thrice. The experimental soil was sandy clay loam

and was deficient in all three primary macro nutrients along with organic matter (less than

1%). The pH of the experiential soil was between 7.6-7.7 during both years.

Pre-sowing irrigation of 10 cm was applied and then proper seed bed preparation was

done with three cultivations (up to a depth of 12 cm), which were followed by rigorous

planking. Sorghum (cv. Hegari) and soybean (cv. Ajmairi) were sown with single row hand

drill as per treatments. The seed rate of sorghum and soybean was 70 and 100 kg ha-1

. 80 kg N

and 60 kg P2O

5 ha

-1 were applied (all phosphorous at the time of sowing, while nitrogen was

applied in three equal splits). Both component crops were harvested manually at pre-

flowering stage with hand sickle.

The experimental variables were measures by following standard procedures. Leaf

area index was measured by using following formula,

LAI = Crop leaf area (m2)/ Land area (m

2)

Leaf area duration was calculated by the formula







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LAD = (LAI1+LAI

2) (t

2-t

1)/2

Where

LAI1

= Leaf area index at first harvest

LAI2

= Leaf area index at final harvest

t1

= Date of observation of first leaf area index

t2

= Date of observation of final leaf area index

Crop growth rate was calculated by the formula

CGR = (W2-W

1)/ (t

2-t

1)

Where W1

and W2

are the dry weight at times t1

and t2

respectively.

Net assimilation rate was calculated by the formula

NAR= TDM/LAD

Where, TDM and LAD are the total dry matter yield and leaf area duration,

respectively.

KJeldahl digestion method was used to determine crude protein. This method gave

nitrogen which was multiplied with 6.25 constant factor to estimate crude protein. Ether

extractable fat was determined by using Soxhlet extraction apparatus. Similarly, ash was

calculated by burning samples in in a muffle furnace at (550-650°C) until white or grey ash

was obtained. After that, residues were cooled in a desiccator and recorded the weight (W2)

and percentage was calculated as follows:

Total ash % = W2

– W1/ weight of the sample × 100

2.1. Statistical analysis

Data collected were analyzed statistically using Fisher’s analysis of variance technique

through a computer program “MSTAT-C” (Freed and Eisensmith, 1986) and least significant

difference (LSD) test at 5% probability level was employed to compare the differences among

the treatments means (Steel et al., 1997).







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2.2. Economic analysis

To calculate economic analysis, cost of production for both years was worked out. The

cost of production of forage Sorghum and different forage sorghum-legumes intercropping

systems in 2013 and 2014 was computed for the factors such as sowing, irrigation, harvesting

and land rent. Then the variable rates according to each treatment were determined and

summed up to the subtotal and then benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was calculated using the

following formula.

BCR = Gross income/ Total cost

Net income was also calculated by deducting the total expenditure from the gross

income. Economic analysis for both the experimental years was carried out by using the

methodology as described in CIMMYT (1988).

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Physiological growth parameters of forage sorghum

Physiological parameters are important in determining the growth and development of

crop plants particularly in intercropping systems. The highest leaf area indices (5.46 and 5.93

during 2013 and 2014 respectively) and leaf area duration (74.2 and 78.3 days during 2013

and 2014 respectively) were recorded by sorghum sown 15 days before soybean in 2:1 row

proportion (S2T3). The same treatment was instrumental in recording the highest crop growth

rate (44.81 and 48.93 g m-2 day-1

during 2013 and 2014 respectively) and net assimilation rate

(15.29 and 15.96 g m-2

day-1

during 2013 and 2014 respectively) of forage sorghum. It was

followed by sorghum sown 15 days before soybean in 1:1 row proportion. Overall, sorghum

planted 15 days earlier than soybean under different planting patterns performed better than

sorghum sown at the same time with forage soybean which in turn performed better than

sorghum planted 15 days after soybean under different planting patterns during both years.

The statistical analysis of the recorded data showed that sorghum and soybean sown in

2:1 row proportion yielded significantly higher physiological growth parameters of forage

sorghum and it was followed by sorghum and soybean sown in 1:1 row proportion which in

turn performed better than sorghum and soybean planted in 1:2 row proportion which was

statistically at par with sorghum and soybean sown in 2:2 row proportions. These results put







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an approval stamp on the findings of Zandvakili et al. (2012), who reported that leaf area

indices and leaf area duration of sorghum were reduced in sorghum-legumes intercropping

systems in comparison with sole sorghum and they suggested that by delaying the sowing of

one of the component crops might increase growth and development of component crops.

These findings are also in agreement with those presented by Dhope et al. (1992), who

reported that comparatively higher crop growth rate and net assimilation rate of forage

sorghum was resulted when sorghum was provided competition free environment at earlier

growth stages while in intercropping with forage legumes, crop growth rate of forage

sorghum was reduced significantly. Thus delayed sowing of forage soybean for 15 days gave

forage sorghum an added advantage just like sole sorghum in terms of more nutrients and

moisture availability.

3.2. Qualitative attributes of sorghum and soybean

Forage quality plays an important role in sustainable and profitable production of milk

and meat particularly in the long run. Among quality attributes of forages, protein occupies

the central position due to its vital role in a variety of metabolic and tissue repair processes

going on in animal’s body and more importantly their positive role in increasing milk

production of large ruminants. Similarly, fats serve as a source of energy for ruminants and

ash presents mineral constituents of forage required in several metabolic processes.

Fiber is considered to be an anti-nutritional factor and only needs to be present in

small amount in animal feed. Sorghum planted 15 days before soybean in 2:1 row proportion

(S2T3) gave significantly higher crude protein (9.17 and 9.25% during 2013 and 2014

respectively), ether extractable fat (2.38 and 2.28% during 2013 and 2014 respectively) and

ash (9.63 and 9.45% during 2013 and 2014 respectively), while it was followed by sorghum

sown 15 days before soybean in 1:1 row proportion (S2T1). The highest crude fiber (29.20 and

29.52% during 2013 and 2014 respectively) was recorded by sorghum sown 15 days after

soybean in 1:2 row proportions (S3T2). Sorghum sown 15 days before soybean in 2:1 row

proportion (S2T3) was instrumental in yielding the lowest crude fiber (28.29 and 29.16%

during 2013 and 2014 respectively) of forage sorghum.

The highest crude protein (20.84 and 20.98% during 2013 and 2014 respectively),

ether extractable fat (1.90 and 1.96% during 2013 and 2014 respectively) and ash (11.08 and

11.14% during 2013 and 2014 respectively) were given by soybean planted 15 days before







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sorghum in 2:2 row proportions (S3T4) while it was followed by soybean planted 15 days

earlier than sorghum in 1:2 row proportion (S3T2). The lowest crude fiber contents were also

recorded by soybean planted 15 days earlier than sorghum in 1:2 row proportion (S3T2). These

results are in line with those of Khan et al. (2007), who reported that component crops if

provided competition free conditions especially at early growth stages, it resulted in higher

crude protein, ether extractable fat and ash contents while lowering crude fiber contents. They

were of the view that it was due to complimentary use of soil and environmental resources by

component crops in sorghum-legumes intercropping systems. Contrarily, they stated that

spatial arrangements had no significant influence on quality attributes of forage sorghum.

Wanjari et al. (2005) and Marer et al. (2007) also reported similar results that delayed sowing

of component crops resulted in better quality forage.

3.3. Economic analysis and benefit-cost ratio (BCR)

Economic analysis was also done to find out the most economical planting time and

spatial arrangement for sorghum-soybean intercropping systems under climatic conditions of

Faisalabad during 2013 and 2014. Different sorghum-soybean intercropping systems sown

under different planting times and spatial arrangements resulted different net incomes. Data

regarding economic analysis for different intercropping systems revealed that the highest net

income of Rs. 42971 and Rs. 46871 ha-1

was earned from sorghum sown 15 days before

soybean in 2:1 row proportion (S2T3) during 2013 and 2014 respectively. The least economic

returns were recorded from the plots where forage sorghum was sown 15 days after soybean

under different spatial arrangements.

The highest BCR of 2.13 and 2.24 was also obtained from the same intercropping

system (sorghum sown 15 days before soybean in 2:1 row proportion) during 2013 and 2014

respectively. It was followed by sorghum sown 15 days before soybean in 2:2 row

proportions (S2T4). The lowest net income and BCR were recorded by sorghum planted 15

days after soybean in 2:2 row proportions (S3T4).

It is interesting to note that forage sorghum sowing 15 days before soybean under all

spatial arrangements outperformed other intercropping systems in terms of monetary benefits.

The lowest economic returns were given by sorghum sown 15 days after soybean under

different spatial arrangements. Thus, it can be interpreted that delayed sowing of soybean for







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15 days gave competition free conditions to forage sorghum which is the major contributor to

green forage yield and ultimately higher economic returns was obtained due to better

physiological growth and forage yield. These results are in complete agreement with those of

West and Griffith (1992) as well as Mpairwe et al. (2002), who concluded that sorghum and

legumes intercropping resulted in higher biomass production and finally higher economic

returns were, recorded which were much higher than pure stand of forage sorghum. They

were of the view that intercropping of legumes with cereal forages caused little increase in

total expenditures but total monetary benefits were multiplied by many folds.

4. Conclusions

It is concluded from this two years field trial that sorghum sown 15 days before

soybean in 2:1 row proportion appeared to be the most productive intercropping systems in

term of physiological growth of forage sorghum. The same treatment was instrumental in

yielding sorghum forage with better quality attributes, but soybean recorded higher quality

forage when it was sown before sorghum in 2:2 row proportions. Comparatively better

physiological growth is bound to increase total biomass production and ultimately net income

was also increased due to significantly higher benefit to cost ratio when sorghum was sown

earlier than soybean. Thus it is suggested that farmers can get huge monetary benefits along

with better quality forage by intercropping forage sorghum 15 days earlier than soybean in 2:1

row proportion.

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Acknowledgements

The principal author extends a sincere gratitude to Higher Education Commission (HEC)

of Pakistan for providing financial assistance to complete this study under Indigenous

Scholarship (5000-Fellowships). The technical guidance and lab. facilities provided by Prof.

Dr. Daniel H. Putnam (CE specialist), Department of Plant Sciences, University of California

Davis, USA, is also thankfully acknowledges.







15

Fig. 1: Interactive effect of planting times and spatial arrangements on leaf area index,

leaf area duration (days), crop growh rate (g m-2

day-1

) and net assimilaton rate (g m-2

day-1

) of sorghum.

Fig. 2: Interactive effect of planting times and spatial arrangements on crude protein

(%), crude fiber (%), ether extractable fat (%) and ash (%) of sorghum.







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Fig. 2a. Interactive effect of planting times and spatial arrangements on crude protein

(%), crude fiber (%), ether extractable fat (%) and ash (%) of forage soybean.

S1T1= Sorghum planted on same day with soybean in 1:1 row proportion S1T2= Sorghum

planted on same day with soybean in 1:2 row proportion S1T3= Sorghum planted on same day

with soybean in 2:1 row proportion S1T4= Sorghum planted on same day with soybean in 2:2

row proportion S2T1= Sorghum planted 15 days before soybean in 1:1 row proportion S2T2=

Sorghum planted 15 days before soybean in 1:2 row proportion S2T3= Sorghum planted 15

days before soybean in 2:1 row proportion S2T4= Sorghum planted 15 days before soybean in

2:2 row proportion S3T1= Sorghum planted 15 days after soybean in 1:1 row proportion

S3T2=Sorghum planted 15 days after soybean in 1:2 row proportion S3T3= Sorghum planted

15 days after soybean in 2:1 row proportion S3T4= Sorghum planted 15 days after soybean in

2:2 row proportion







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Table 1: Effect of planting times and spatial arrangements on net income and BCR of

sorghum-soybean intercropping systems during 2013.

Treatments Expenditures

Rs. ha-1

Gross

Income

Rs. ha-1

Net

Income

Rs. ha-1

BCR

S1T1= Sorghum planted on same day

with soybean in 1:1 row proportion

37775 64046 26271 1.69



37775 62228 24453 1.64



37775 69891 32116 1.85



37775 62175 24400 1.63

S2T1= Sorghum planted 15 days before

soybean in 1:1 row proportion

37775 75103 37328 1.98



37775 73650 35875 1.94



37775 80764 42971 2.13



37775 73591 35816 1.93

S3T1= Sorghum planted 15 days after


37775 62516 24741 1.65

S3T2=Sorghum planted 15 days after


37775 60071 22296 1.59



37775 65328 27553 1.72



37775 59978 22203 1.58







18

Table 2: Effect of planting times and spatial arrangements on net income and BCR of

sorghum-soybean intercropping systems during 2014.

Treatments Expenditures Gross

Income

Rs. ha-1

Net

Income

Rs. ha-1

BCR



37775 68737 30962 1.81



37775 65391 27616 1.73



37775 73385 35610 1.94



37775 65428 27653 1.72



37775 80116 42341 2.12



37775 76600 38825 2.02



37775 84646 46871 2.24



37775 76578 38803 2.00



37775 64671 26896 1.71

S3T2=Sorghum planted 15 days after


37775 61900 24125 1.63



37775 67700 29928 1.79



37775 61837 24062 1.63


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