Evaluation of quantity and quality of the yield of two wheat cultivars in intercropping system

Abstract

In order to evaluate the yield, yield components and protein contents of two wheat cultivars (Zarrin and Gaspard) in sole cropping and intercropping systems,an experiment was conducted using replacement serious technique and different combinations of intercropping with high plant density and optimal of each cultivar. A factorial experiment was conducted in the form of randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the research farm of Agriculture Faculty of University of Zanjan at 2008-2009. The results showed that planting patterns has significant effect (?= 0.01) on grain yield, the average number of grain per spike and protein content of each cultivar.The effect of plant density levels on grain yield of Zarrin cultivar was significant (?= 0.01).The results indicated that the highest grain yield(9611 kg ha-1) was obtained from 2:2 ratios of (50% Zarrin+50% Gaspard) cultivars in plant density of 400 seed per m2 which had Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) above 1.79.Land equivalent Ratio Index(LER) calculation showed that all intercrops had advantage compare to sole cropping system.