Evaluation of Radiation Absorption and use Efficiency in Substitution Intercropping of Sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.) and Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata L.)

Abstract

An experiment was carried out as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2013-2014 growing season. The main plots were five cropping systems, including: sole sesame, sole mung bean, intercropping (75% sesame-25% mung bean), intercropping (50% sesame-50% mung bean), intercropping (25% sesame-75% mung bean) and sub plots were two levels of weed control (weed-free and weedy). The results indicated that, radiation use efficiency of sesame throughout the growing season was variable from 0.461 to 1.199g.MJ-1 and in all cropping systems was higher than mung bean. Also, radiation use efficiency of mung bean was variable from 0.325 to 1.048g.MJ-1 and in all intercropping systems (weed-free and weedy) was higher than sole mung bean. The comparison among the different cropping systems revealed that, weed-free intercropping of 75% sesame-25% mung bean had the highest cumulative absorbed radiation, LERabs, LERdm and RUE, specially comparing to sole cropping system. Accordingly, the best recommendable system for intercropping of sesame and mung bean was weed-free intercropping of 75% sesame-25% mung bean. The comparison between weedy systems and weed-free systems also showed that, the amount of evaluated characteristics decreased with various weeds because of high competition and shared resources. Generally it seems that, enhancement of diversity and compatibility of plants with available resources, increasing the efficiency of resources and creating an eco-friendly complexity causes an increase in sustainability of agroecosystems.