573-577 - International Journal of Agriculture and Crop Sciences ...

International Journal of Agriculture and Crop Sciences.
Available online at www.ijagcs.com
IJACS/2012/4-9/573-577
ISSN 2227-670X ©2012 IJACS Journal
Investigation on yield of lettuce and garlic
intercropping in rice harvested lands
Nahid Amoli
Faculty member, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Mazandaran, Sari. Iran
Corresponding author email: na_amoli@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT: Intercropping is planting of two or more species that are simultaneous in a period of
their growth cycle. To study the possibility of obtaining higher yields, intercropping of lettuce and
garlic was conducted during two years (2008 – 2010) in Gharakheil research station. In this
research, Varesh lettuce and Mazand garlic (both are breeding varieties in Mazandaran agricultural
research center) was planted both in sole culture and intercropped after rice harvesting. Lettuce
seedling were planted as main crop at 50 and 60 cm more row distance and garlic was planted as
accommodation crop with one or two row between lettuce row. This research was performed in
randomized complete block design with 4 replication. Yield of sole and intercropping culture was
evaluated. Results showed that there was growth adaptability between lettuce and garlic in
intercropping. Treatments of 2 rows garlic with 20 cm distance between 50 cm lettuce rows,
produced the highest yield as land equivalent ratio (LER) of it was the highest LER (1.80) sum of
relative yield compare to sole culture, increased. According to results of this study, intercropping of
lettuce and garlic could be recommended to vegetable farmers.
Key words: Garlic, Inter cropping , Land equivalent ratio (LER) , Lettuce, Yield
INTRODUCTION
Using inter crop system is one of providing nutrition by using from exist equipment. Intercropping is
from plants pattern of natural sustainable like intact forest that shows, always combination of genius prefer than
single genus (Preston, 2003). In traditional agriculture Iran observe many inter cropping system. In searching
about vegetable and other crops shows some of plants for physiological and botanical characteristics produce
more yield and high quality in comparative single culture (Mazaheri, 1994). Also cultivation such leafy
vegetables like lettuce are important as second crop in paddy land. In other hand was proved that absorption
and exchanging in paddy land. Successfully in inter cropping depends much select the main plant and method
of inter cropping. In this situation, have to consider morphologically and physiologically main and major plants
(Hiebsch, and Mccollum ,1987). In 2 current decade, investigated inter cropping in countries especially in
developing countries that used garlic and red bean and red pepper with corn and tomato with cucumber
(Mivechi langeroodi, 1995) cucumber with eggplant (Kashi, 1993). Sometimes choosing plants according
preventable amount insect, such as cultivation opium in bean row distance for absorb Bean aphid ( for opium
smelling) and inter cropping carrot and leek for damage onion fly. Also sciense, could access obtain decrease
virus mosaics by planting squash and zeamays by inter cropping ( Ayisi, and et al 1997 ). According some of
investigation, could use inter cropping onion fly (Godan,1987) According some of investigation, could use inter
cropping as using combination prevent method by insect and diseases
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This study was carried out for 2 years in Gharakheil research station in north of Iran. Geographical
properties this site is with 35 / ,52 o altitude and 43 / , 36 o with annual precipitation , 700 mm in year.
Deep
(cm)
30
(EC)
dsm -1
0.81
Table 1. Soil chemical analysis of experimental site
PH
7.7
TNV
40
%C.o
2.2
a.v.P
(ppm)
24
a.v.k
(ppm)
140
silt %
40
clay
%
41
sand
%
19
Text
Slity
clay

Intl J Agri Crop Sci. Vol., 4 (9), 573-577, 2012
After rice harvesting, prepared paddy land in August. This experiment was conducted in completely
blocks randomize design with 4 replications. Varesh a new suitable variety lettuce( improvement line) that is
tolerant to Bremia lactuca and also Mazand as a new garlic variety , these vegetables released from land race.
Lettuce planting was done by sowing and garlic by clove. Beginning of October prepared nursery with 100 cm in
width and covered by manure fertilizer then sowing the lettuce seed in rows for germination, irrigated when it
was dry. After growing the bush and it was 4-5 leaves, it transport to ground after 45 days. The using fertilizer
for experiment was according nutrition lettuce. It was manure fertilizer 10 ton/ha and nitrogen by urea form 200
kg ha -1 (½ was before planting) and 150 kg ha -1 potassium sulphat and 50 kg ha -1 Ammonium phosphate. The
lettuce plants cultivated was in rows with 50 cm distance between rows and 20 cm distance in the rows. The
cloves of garlic separated then according pattern of cultivation, planted in rows of lettuce with 10 cm distance
together. The planting date of lettuce and garlic was on 5 November and simultaneous. This experiment was
done dry farming conditional. Weeding was done twice times. Activities of control slug was done with mixture of
husk and Sevin ( poison) for prevent of damage of slug.
Studied Treatments
1. Lettuce culture by 50cm row distance,
2. Garlic sole culture by 25cm row distance,
3. One garlic line culture between 50cm lettuce distances,
4. Two garlic line culture by 20cm distance between 50cm lettuce distances,
5. Two garlic line culture by 25cm distance, between 50cm lettuce distances,
6. One garlic line between 60cm lettuce distances,
7. Two garlic line culture by 20cm distance m between 60cm lettuce distance,
8. Two garlic line culture by 25cm distance, between 60cm lettuce distances.
In late March, plants from middle lines were cropped and the yield of each experimental unit was
evaluated as a yield average. The experiment variance analysis was done based on plan basics for yield and
other variables from MSTATC programs and comparing the average treatment yields based on Danken Method
in 1% and 5% levels (Rezaei and Soltani, 1998). To relate the variables, we used cohesion matrix. To draw the
graphs, Excell was used. In order to evaluate and determine the profitability of intercropping systems, Land
Equivalent Ratio (LER) was used. LER is obtained from division of each plant yield in intercropping over the
maximum plant yield in pure culture (Mazaheri , 1994) If it results into a unit, there is no difference in profitability
and if LER is more than 1(unit), the intercropping will be more profitable and (Hiebsch, 1987). Also, plant
yielding in fact is the total yield of main and accommodation plant and is obtained from division of each
intercropping yield over pure culture. In table 1, there is LER from division of each plant yield in intercropping
over maximum plant yield in pure culture. The ratio for main and accommodation plant yield in intercropping in
percent. Experiments for lettuce and garlic intercropping were planned to use the land in best in eight
treatments in Mazandaran , Gharakheil investigation center. Then we can investigate the effects of
intercropping.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Based on Combined analysis of variance Yield of garlic (table) and treatment average, the results have
considerable differences in experiment years. The effects of year and treatment are different and show that the
non-uniformity of year effects caused changes in treatment Yields in experimental years. Also in Table 2, there
is a considerable difference in first and second years , the yields in 5% levels that show the yield differences in
treatments of pure culture and lettuce intercropping. Taking notes from different stages show that lettuce and
garlic bushes have had usual growing in intercropping and there is no difference company pure culture. To
select the suitable plants for intercropping, we can consider different criterion such as morph agronomic
specifications tike this-leaf plant (garlic) and wide leaf of lettuce (Table 5, 6). There is growth adaptability in
lettuce and garlic intercropping and after greening garlic and their growths, there is no need for poisonous bait
to parry the snail. On one hand, snails are the main pest in lettuce farms in Mazandaran, that in lettuce and
garlic intercropping, garlic can be useful because of bad smell and acts as a repulse (Atri and etal.,1998). Also
in another investigation, lettuce and tomato intercropping garlic is useful to battle with garden flowers and acts
as a trap plant. Investigations have show that if we choose the plants carefully, the yield of intercropping will be
increased (Amoli, 2003). In table 2, the yield of lettuce pure culture is 22.79 tons/ha and garlic pure culture is
16.23 ton/ha .The intercropping of one garlic line between 50 cm lettuce with 32% yield increasing were 23.07
and 5.05 respectively for lettuce and garlic. This antecedes for two garlic lines of 20 and 25 cm in 50 cm lettuce
rows were 1.8 and 1.7 respectively. This is 148% for one garlic line between 60 cm lettuce rows. The
intercropping of 20 and 25 cm two garlic liens in 60 cm lettuce rows has had average yield of 166.1 and 164.8%
.So if we have two garlic line in 20 cm distance between 50 cm lettuce rows, we will have a 80% yield increase
in proportion with pure cultures of each. The plants attract more nutrition with density increase. We studied on
574

Intl J Agri Crop Sci. Vol., 4 (9), 573-577, 2012
both yield of main plants and total yield and determined the intercropping profitability usually based on total
yield. We have a suitable intercropping that the obtained crop will be more in intercropping. In table 2, we have
determined that planting two garlic lines in a 20cm distance between 50cm lettuce rows has the height LER
(1.80) in 2 years. Comparing this treatment with 80% yield increase shows the priority of sole culture. These
indexes in evaluating different intercropping show the priority over pure culture. In table 5, we have a
considerable difference in yield of lettuce, garlic and their components with lettuce, garlic, leaf number of both
and also garlic diameter in 1% possibility level, height and weight of one lettuce bush and also garlic leaf length
in 5% possibility level, but there is no much difference in garlic height and garlic leaf width between treatments.
In table 7, height and number of lettuce leaves are not related to yield in hectare. While increasing the garlic
height, its diameter will decrease. In table 6, there is a difference between garlic height and stem diameter.
These results are compatible with other studies that total production in tomato treatment is more in
intercropping The yield increasing in tomato and lettuce intercropping is 17.7% and LER is 2.3, which show the
profitability of intercropping (Mivehchi Lnngroodi,1995). Carrot and radish intercropping in raw culture after rice
harvesting has 1.66-2.15 LER(Amoli,2003) There are some similar samples over cucumber, celery, eggplant
and pepper that were conducted (Kashi, 1993). The pepper and cucumber intercropping is the best treatment.
We obtained 1.50-1.61 for cucumber and pepper intercropping and 1.54-1.77 for cucumber and egg plant one
(Ahmadi, 2003) Researchers could obtain a more profitable intercropping of lettuce and radish(Resende,2000).
Lamei Hervan showed the LER of 2.80 for garlic and bean intercropping (Lameei hervan,2003). If we consider
the bean as a main culture, the income for the farmer will be 3.4 times more than bean pure culture. In figure 2,
we have comparing the lettuce and garlic yield and their grouping and figure 3 shows LER.
Total
Relative
yield
Table 2.Means of yield of lettuce and garlic in sole and mix cropping(t/h)with LER
Total
yield
(t/h)
Relative
yield
garlic (%)
Mean
yield
garlic
(%)
Relative
yield
lettuce
(%)
Mean
yield
lettuce
(%)
Treatments
- 1 22.79 - - 100 22.79 b Lettuce culture by 50cm row distance
- 1 16.23 100 16.23a - - Garlic sole culture by 25cm row distance
132 1.32 28.12 31.2 5.05 c 101.2 23.07 c One garlic line culture between 50cm lettuce distance
180 1.80 37.57 56.6 9.23 b 124.4 28.35a
Two garlic line culture by 20cm distance between 50cm
lettuce distances
167.8 1.68 34.46 58.4 9.53 b 109.4 24.94 ab
Two garlic line culture by 25cm distance, between 50cm
lettuce distances
149 1.349 32.22 26.7 4.35 c 122.3 27.88a
Two garlic line culture by 20cm distance m between
60cm lettuce distance,
166.1 1.66 34.54 50.9 8.28 b 115.2 26.27ab
Two garlic line culture by 20cm distance m between
60cm lettuce distance
Two garlic line culture by 25cm distance, between 60cm
164.8 1.64 34.31 49.8 8.09 b 115 26.22ab
lettuce distances.
Means followed by similar letters in each column are not significantly different at 1% level, according to Duncan,s Multiple
Range Test.
S.O.V D.F
Table 3. Analysis of variance related to agronomic traits of lettuce and garlic
yield
lettuce
yield
lettucex
Weight of
one lettuce
bush
Lettuce
height
Lettuce
leaf
number
Garlic
leaf
number
Garlic
height
Garlic
diameter
Garlic
leaf
diameter
Repeat 3 34.781 ns 15.61 ns 44847.61 ns 5.810 ns 71.85 ns .19 ns 1.23 ns .128 ns .435 ns
year 1 698.093 * 630.33 ** 24654.018 ** 112.01 * 189.446 * 2.161 ns 0.004 ns 4.4587 * 7.80 *
Treatment 6 29.27 83.58 ** 20787.57 * 7.07 * 71.65 ** 2.369 ** 49.97 ns 1.28 ** 0.508 ns 58.43 *
year×Treatment 6 28.681 ns 44.539 ** 1456.696 ns 1.232 ns 98.738 ** 1.411 ns 11.34 ns 1.070 ns 0.589 ns
Error 18 3.803 3.804 28964.28 2.421 14.64 .385 20.17 .204 0.212 18.16
Cv 8.5% 16% 30% 4.5% 10% 9.8% 6.5% 13.8% 14.2% 7.4%
Ns and Not significant, significant at 5% and 1% level , respectively
Table 4. Correlation coefficients of properties and yield in lettuce
Variable Yield Weight of one bush Height Leaf number
Yield 1
Weight of one bush .137 * 1
Height .509 ns .35 ns 1
Leaf number .194 ns .416 ns .639 ns 1
Ns Not significant, at significant 5% level
Table 4 the height and number of leaf lettuce has no significant correlation with yield per hectare.
Course means that its diameter decreases with increasing altitude.
575
Garlic
leaf
length
17.17
ns
2.362
ns
22.632
*

Intl J Agri Crop Sci Sci. . Vol., 4 (9), 573-57 577, 2012
Table 5.Correlation coefficients of properties and yield in garlic
Yield Leaf number
Yield
1
Leaf number .615
Height .090
Stem diameter . 526
Leaf diameter .510
Leaf length .206
ns
.090 ns
. 526 ns
.510 ns
.206 ns
Correlation coefficients of properties and yield in garlic
Leaf number
1
.42
Ns and Not significant, significant at 5%and 1% level , respectively
ns
.789 ns
.813 ns
.57 ns
Correlation coefficients of properties and yield in garlic
Height
1
.038
and Not significant, significant at 5%and 1% level , respectively
*
.155 ns
.96 ns
Correlation coefficients of properties and yield in garlic
Stem diameter
1
.68
and Not significant, significant at 5%and 1% level , respectively
ns
.27 ns
Correlation coefficients of properties and yield in garlic
diameter Leaf diameter Leaf length
1
.23
and Not significant, significant at 5%and 1% level , respectively
ns
Leaf length
1
Table 4 there is significant correlation between heights and stem diameter garlic. Height and width of
leaves, leaves, garlic garlic has has been been no no significant significant difference difference between between treatments.
treatments.
Figure Figure 1. 1. Two Two garlic garlic line line culture culture by by 20cm 20cm distance distance between between 50cm 50cm lettuce lettuce distances distances in in field
field
Table 6. Means Means of of agronomic agronomic characteristics characteristics of of garlic garlic treatments treatments in in dif different dif different
years(2008 years(2008-2010) 2010)
Treatment Yield (ton/ha) leaf number Height (cm)
Stem
diameter(cm)
Leaf
diameter(cm)
Leaf
length(cm)
2
20 a 7.75 c 65.75 c
4 a
3.75 a
52.25 b
3
7.25 c 6.50 c 67.50 c 3.5 ab
3.12 ab 54.12 b
4
13.30 b 6.25 a 76.25 a 3.62 ab
3.5 ab
64 a
5
14.10 b 5.50 a 70.25 ab 3.25 ab
2.75 c
57.75 a
6
6.33 c
6 b 67.75 b 2.87 bc
3 ab
56.50 ab
7
11.99 b 5.50 b 69.50 b 2.25 c
2.90 b 58.75 ab
8
11.25 b 6.50 ab 66.50 c 3.75 ab
3.37 ab
55 ab
Means followed by similar letters in each column are not significantly significantly different different at at 1% 1% level, level, according according to to Duncan,s Duncan,s Multiple
Multiple
Range Test
Figure 2. Means Means of of yield yield lettuce lettuce and and garlic garlic in in sole sole and and intercropping
intercropping
Figure Figure 3. 3. LER LER of of different different treatments treatments in in 2 2 years
years
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Intl J Agri Crop Sci. Vol., 4 (9), 573-577, 2012
Table 7. Means of agronomic characteristics of lettuce treatments in different years(2008-2010)
Treatment Height (cm) leaf number Leaf length(cm)
1 36.25 a 29 c 55 b
2 34.50 abc 40 ab 51.2 f
3 33.75 abc 35 b 52.5 c
4 32.75 c 44 a 71.7 a
5 33.25 bc 39 ab 54.5 c
6 3.5.50 ab 37 ab 53.7 d
7 33 bc 35 ab 51.2 f
Means followed by similar letters in each column are not significantly different at 1% level, according to Duncan,s Multiple
Range Test.
The usefulness of combined cultures in question have been approved and using this system could be
recommended planting. The results showed that between lettuce and garlic, mixed culture, there is growing
coordination.
Calculating the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) 1/57 was observed. Resende and et al in 2000 could
reach lettuce and radish intercropping more beneficial to obtain pure cultures (Resende,2000). Mix garlic and
beans culture, its usefulness in pure culture showed 2/80 LER showed(Lameei hervan,2003) LER of
intercropping tomato and lettuce for 2/3 has been reported Indicating shows the usefulness of the mixed culture
(Resende,2000;Amoli,2003).
The calculated LER (land equivalent ratio) was Land Equivalent Ratio 1/80. Overall performance has
increased relative to pure cultures. It can be recommended to farmers. Given these findings, lettuce and garlic
mixed culture with respect for culture in two rows between of lettuce, garlic along with the planting and
harvesting is enforceable. However, snail and slugs are important pests of lettuce farms in the province is
considered, Lettuce and garlic in mixed culture, garlic plant combat pests also effective. Has caused the sharp
smell of garlic plants act as a repellent.
Regarding the results, it is economical to have lettuce and garlic in a green leaf stage intercropping by
having two garlic rows of lettuce with simultaneous planting and harvesting lettuce and garlic in green stage in
the province.
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