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A Comparative Growth Analysis of Intercrop and Monoculture Plantings of Rice and Corn
Dissertation Abstract:
Field experiments were conducted in the dry and wet seasons to study the physiological responses to varying plant populations and row spacings of rice and corn in mono culture and intercrop plantings.
In the dry-season intercrops, rice decreased in grain yield and total dry-matter production as corn population was increased up to 40,000 plants/ha at 2-m row spacing. Beyond this corn population density, rice yield increased.
Decreased leaf area index, net assimilation rate, relative growth rate, crop growth rate and relative leaf growth rate accounted for the lower dry-matter production of rice. Intercropping with corn suppressed rice growth probably through shading and competition for nutrients.
Corn yield increased with increase in corn populations both in monoculture and intercrops. Increase in leaf area index, leaf area ratio and relative leaf growth rate resulted in higher crop growth rate. Dry-matter production subsequently increased although the net assimilation rate and relative growth rate decreased.
The overlapping reproductive stages of rice and corn caused a high competition rate, thereby reducing the yield of each crop.
Similar results were obtained in the wet-season experiment, except that the yields were generally lower, primarily because of less light intensity and nutrient losses due to heavy rainfall.
Rice intercropped with corn at 40,000 plants/ha in the dry-season and at 20,000 plants/ha in the wet season seemed preferable.
The compatibility of rice and corn in intercrop combinations resulted in higher total yield than in monoculture plantings. The high productive efficiency of corn early in the season and of rice late in the season gave this yield advantage to both crops. However, high efficiency and increased productivity of rice-corn intercrops were more pronounced under favorable growth conditions. Moreover, the complementary relationship in intercrop combinations would depend in the critical choice of varieties and proper crop management practices.