Effect of biofertilizers on crop yield in intercropping of sugarcane an Legumes

To evaluate the yield and yield components of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and legumes, harvest index of sugarcane and land equivalent ratio in intercropping of sugarcane and legumes, experiments were conducted as randomized complete block design with 14 treatments and four replications during 2016-2017 at two locations (Dehkhoda Sugarcane Agro-industry Co. and Emam Khomeini) in Khuzestan province. The treatments were pure sugarcane, pure soybean (Glycine max L.), pure cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), pure soybean stand + rhizobium, pure cowpea stand  + rhizobium, pure sugarcane stand + mycorrhizal, intercropping of sugarcane with cowpea, intercropping of sugarcane with soybean, intercropping of sugarcane with cowpea + rhizobium, intercropping of sugarcane with soybean + rhizobium, intercropping of sugarcane + mycorrhizal and cowpea, intercropping of sugarcane + mycorrhizal and soybean, intercropping of sugarcane + mycorrhizal and soybean + rhizobium and intercropping of sugarcane + mycorrhizal and cowpea + rhizobium. Combined analysis of variance showed that different treatments had significant effects on yield and harvest index of sugarcane, land equivalent ratio (LER), cowpea seed yield, number of pods in cowpea and soybean, weight of 1000- grain of cowpea, length of pod of cowpea and soybean and number of nodules and dry weight in cowpea root. Different locations also had a significant effect on yield and harvest index of sugarcane, cowpea seed yield, number of pods in cowpea, weight of 1000- grain of cowpea and soybean, length of pod of cowpea, number of nodules and dry weight in cowpea root and harvest index of soybea. LER in all treatments was higher than one, indicating the beneficial effects of intercropping. The best results were obtained in sugarcane (inoculated with fungi) and cowpea (inoculated with Rhizobium).