Intercropping Soybean With Maize Under High Population Densities: Biological Efficiency And Financial Return

The study aims to increase intercropped soybean and maize yields. Intercropping pattern 2:4 (H) gave the highest seed yield/acre as compared with those of normal population of 2:4 (N) and other patterns. Soybean variety (Giza 22) had higher values for all studied soybean parameters than Giza 111 variety. All studied parameters of intercropped soybean were increased by doubling distance between hills of maize plants from 30 to 60 cm under intercropping patterns. Leaf area and yield/plant of intercropped maize were higher than those of solid maize under the same density of maize in the ridges. Intercropping pattern 2:2 (N) gave the highest grain yield/acre as compared with the other intercropping patterns. Wider distance between hills of maize plants (60 cm apart) gave higher values for all studied maize characters. Increasing soybean plant densities under intercropping patterns (2:2 "H" and 2:4 "H") caused significant increments in soybean yield/acre and land equivalent ratio without significant reduction in maize yield/acre. Net return of intercropped maize with soybean varied between Euro 193.7 and 320.1 per acre as compared with recommended solid planting of maize (Euro 202.6).