CASTOR BEAN AND SUNFLOWER IN INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS IN ROW ARRANGEMENT:COMPETITIVE ABILITY

Abstract

An field experiment was carried out in the agricultural seasons of 2008, 2009 and 2010, with aim of studying the response of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) intercropping with sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) in row arrangement in the dryland farming conditions. In addition, it was evaluated the competitive ability of plants in intercropping systems. The design used in the experiment was randomized block with seven treatement and four repetitions. The treatments were represented by rows of castor oil (Ma) and sunflower (Gi) listed as follow: 1Ma:1Gi; 1Ma:2Gi; 1Ma:3Gi; 2Ma:2Gi; 2Ma:3Gi; and castor and sunflower in the sole crop. The competitive ability of crops in the intercropping system was analyzed by the RCC, "A", CR and AYL. The grain yield of castor bean and sunflower were reduced in intercropped row arrangements. The row arrangement 1Ma:2Gi showed the smallest reduction of average productivity of castor beans and sunflower in the evaluation period of the experiment. In general it was observed superiority of the main crop on the consort to "A", CR and AYL, during the evaluation period of the experiment.