Irrigation & Drainage Systems Engineering

Effect of Sorghum-Legume Intercropping Patterns on Selected Soil Chemical Properties and Yield of Sorghum at Midland Areas of West Hararghe Zone of Oromia Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia.

Abstract

Habtamu Hailu, Tadele Geremu

The experiment was conducted during 2016 and 2017 cropping season. The study was conducted to evaluate sorghum legume intercropping pattern on selected soil chemical properties and yield of sorghumat Tulo and Chiro district, Western Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region, Eastern Ethiopia. The treatments were included two legume crops and four planting patterns (single row of Sorghum and double row of haricot bean (1S;2H) in sequence, single row of Sorghum and single row of haricot bean (1S:1H) in sequence, double row of Sorghum and single row of haricot bean (2S:1H) in alternate, double row of Sorghum and double row of Haricot bean (2S:2H) in alternate, single row of Sorghum and double row of cowpea (1S:2C) in sequence, single row of Sorghum and single row of cowpea (1S:1C) in sequence, double row of Sorghum and single row of cowpea (2S:1C) in alternate, double row of Sorghum and double row of cowpea (2S:2C) in alternate, Sole sorghum, Sole haricot bean (Awash-1) and sole cowpea (ILRI11114-accession number) with testing crop sorghum (chiro variety). The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. All necessary agronomic data were collected and analyzed by using Statistical Analysis Software version 9.0. Soil samples were analyzed by standard laboratory procedures. The results revealed that maximum sorghum grain yield (37.28qu/ha) obtained from 1S:2L pattern was higher than other planting patterns. Maximum grain yield of haricot bean and cowpea was recorded from1S; 2H and 2S:2L planting patterns respectively. Selected soil chemical properties were improved under intercropping system over sole sorghum. The highest LER (1.36) and the lowest LER (1.19) was recorded in sorghum/haricot bean and sorghum/ cowpea intercropping system. The highest total LER was recorded from single row of sorghum and double row of haricot bean (1S; 2H) in sequence. Highest net income accrued from planting patterns of1S; 2H in sequence. Therefore, based on the finding of the study, planting patterns of single rows of sorghum and double rows of haricot bean in sequence (1S:2H) could be recommended in mid land areas of Western Hararghe Zone and similar agro ecologies.