Growth response and yield of some sorghum varieties ( Sorghum bicolor L.) intercropped with groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

Sorghum has the potential to support diversification efforts and food security. Sorghum production needs to be increased through the selection of varieties and appropriate cropping systems. Intercropping system is expected to be able to support government programs in strengthening national food security through increasing land-use efficiency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth and yield of three varieties of sorghum intercropped with peanuts and to determine the varieties of sorghum that gave the highest yield in the intercropping system with groundnuts. This experiment was carried out in Sandik village, Batu Layar, West Lombok from December 2019 to March 2020. The design used was a factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD), with the first factor being intercropping sorghum-groundnut and sorghum monocropping, while the second factor was sorghum varieties, namely Numbu, Super 1, and Bioguma. Each treatment was repeated 3 times. The results showed that sorghum intercropped with groundnuts had better growth and yields than sorghum is grown in monocropping. The Numbu variety gave the best yields both in monocropping and intercropping systems, while Super 1 and Bioguma showed a significant increase in yields when grown in intercropping compared to monocropping. Super 1 and Bioguma varieties had a positive response to the intercropping system, with a significant increase in dry matter weight in Super 1 by 52.84% compared to monocropping. Likewise, a significant response was also shown by Numbu variety in the intercropping system, with a 47.66% increase in the dry matter weight of the plant when compared to monocropping.