Evaluation of yield and yield components chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in intercropping with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

Intercropping is considered for increasing and stability of yield per average unit. In order to evaluate the effect of barley/chickpea intercrop, a study was carried out in the research field of Faculty of Agriculture, Maragheh University, in 2009 as randomized compelet block design, with three replicates, with row replacement series. Treatments included different combinations (1:1,2:1, 3:1, 2:2 and 3:2 row ratios of barley:chickpea) and their monocultures. Results indicated that the highest yield was obtained from combination of one row barley and one row Desi chickpea.The highest number of pods was obtained, also, in combination of one row barley and one row Desi chickpea. There was a significant difference among treatments including Desi chickpea and Kabuli chickpea 100-grain weight that its Kabuli chickpea was more. The correlation coefficient analysis indicated that number of pods per plot had the highest positive relationship and protein percentage had the highest negative relationship with yield per plot. The path coefficient analysis showed that the number of pods had the highest direct effect on yield percentage via the number of pods.