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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Intercropping karkade with groundnut, sesame and cowpea at different spatial arrangements under rainfed conditions

Osman, A.K.,  Elsheikh, S.E., and Abdalla, E.A.

Abstract

Three field experiments were conducted under rain-fed conditions, at EL-Obeid Agricultural Research Station, North Kordofan State, Sudan, for five consecutive seasons (2003 -2007), to evaluate the productivity and profitability of karkade (roselle) intercropped with groundnut, sesame or cowpea at different spatial arrangements. Each experiment consisted of eight treatments: two sole crops and six alternated row arrangements of 1:1, 2:2, 2:1, 1:2, 3:1 and 3:2 rows of the main crop and karkade, respectively. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design replicated four times. Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was used to evaluate the productivity and land use efficiency, while partial budget analysis and monetary value were carried out to evaluate the profitability of the different intercropping systems. The combined analysis indicated significant LER differences among most of the intercropping systems. Most of the intercropping systems gave LER values greater than one and positive net revenues, indicating their better land use efficiency and economic advantages. Intercropping of karkade with groundnut gave higher LER values and was more profitable than intercropping of karkade with sesame or cowpea. From productivity, land use efficiency and profitability point of view it is recommended that karkade can be intercropped with: groundnut at.3:1, 2:1 and 1:1, with sesame at 1:1, 2:1 and 1:2 , and with cowpea at 3:1, 2:2, and 2:1 row arrangements. Decision to select any of these combinations may vary from farm to farm based on individual farm needs and goals.

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 15 (2010) PP. 19-26