EFFECT OF INTERCROPPING OF SUGAR BEET WITH ONION AND GARLIC ON INSECT INFESTATION, SUGAR BEET YIELD AND ECONOMICS | ||||
Journal of Plant Production | ||||
Article 5, Volume 6, Issue 6, June 2015, Page 903-914 PDF (401.09 K) | ||||
Document Type: Original Article | ||||
DOI: 10.21608/jpp.2015.49788 | ||||
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Authors | ||||
Shimaa A. E. Badawy1; G. A. Shalaby2 | ||||
1Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt. | ||||
2Plant Protection Res. Dept., Sugar Crop Research Institute, Agric. Res. Center | ||||
Abstract | ||||
Intercropping system greatly contributes to crop intensification and production by its effective utilization of resources as compared with monoculture cropping system. The current investigation was conducted at a sugar beet field at El-Riad Districts, Kafrelsheikh Governorate during 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons. The study aimed to investigating the effect of intercropping sugar beet with either onion or garlic on the density of major sugar beet insects. Also, the influence of intercropping on sugar beet yield and yield components and quality was a main target. The economics of such intercropping systems were considered. A split plot design with three replications was used. The main plots were assigned to the intercropping pattern and the sub-plot was allocated to the plant spacing of the second crop The sole sugar beet plots displayed the highest infestations with cotton leaf worm, beet fly, tortoise beetle and beet moth. The lowest infestations were detected in plots having sugar beet intercropped with onion, while the moderate infestations were found in case of sugar beet intercropped with garlic. On the other hand, the insect infestations appeared to be lowest with narrow spacing (25 cm) of onion or garlic hills, but highest with wider spacing (75cm). Concerning the yield, the sole sugar beet produced the highest foliage, root, sugar percentage and total sugar. The values were less in case of sugar beet – onion system, and least in case of sugar beet – garlic system. Chemical analysis of sugar beet plants revealed no significant differences among intercropping systems concerning with sodium, Alpha amino-nitrogen α-N and potassium. From the economic point of view, sugar beet intercropped with 25cm- onion gave the highest gross income (14.890 L.E./ fed), followed by that at 50 cm (14.110 L.E./ fed). The sole sugar beet displayed 12.556 L.E., while that intercropped with 75 cm- onion or garlic gave the lowest income 11.90 and 11.520 L.E., respectively. It could be concluded that intercropping sugar beet with 25 cm – onion maximized the growers’ income and reduced insect pest infestations. | ||||
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