Evaluation of sunflower (Heliantus annus L.) and pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercropping based on additive method

In order to achieve sustainable agricultural systems, a field experiment was conducted at chavoshgoli region; 10 Km south-west of khoy city in 2007, as monocropping and intercropping of sunflower and pinto bean in additive method. The experiment carried out using randomized complete block design with three replications and 10 treatments. The treatments were as follows: Eight treatments of additive intercropping (with densities of 4 plants/m2 for sunflower and 4; 8; 12; 16; 20; 24; 28 and 32 plants/m2 for pinto bean), one sole cropping of sunflower (4 plants/m2) and one sole cropping of pinto bean (40 plants/m2). For sunflower, the results showed that the effect of intercropping was significant on plant height; diameter of head; number of seed per head and grain yield. The maximum diameter of head; number of seed in head and seed yield per unit were obtained from sole cropping of Sunflower. For pinto bean the maximum plant height; number of leaves and branches per plant; number of pods per plant; grain yield per plant were obtained from S3 treatment (sunflower with density of 4 plants/m2 + pinto bean with density of 4 plants/m2) and Maximum grain yield per unit was obtained from sole cropping treatment of pinto bean. The maximum LER (1.353) was obtained for S7 treatment (sunflower with density of 4 plants/m2 + pinto bean with density of 20 plants/m2). We can infer that these two crops have used more environmental resources and this treatment (S7) was, therefore recommended at the best intercropping pattern in this experiment.