Technical and Economical Evaluation of Mixed Cropping Grass Pea with Barley and Triticale under Dryland Conditions in Zanjan Province

In order to evaluate technical and economical aspects of mixed cropping grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and triticale (×Triticosecale), an experiment was conducted at Khodabandeh Dryland Research Station during 2006-2008. The field experiment was arranged in a randomized complete blocks design with 9 treatments and four replications. Experimental treatments were pure grass pea, triticale and barely monocultures, as well as mixtures of grass pea with each of these cereals in three seeding ratios (3:1, 1:1 and 1:3). Results of the combined analysis revealed that effects of planting treatments on dry matter yield (DMY) and land equivalent ratio (LER) were significant (P<0.01). The least DMY (0.59 t ha-1) was obtained from the pure grass pea sowing. DMY values in grass pea mixtures with barley were 38.2- 68.5 percent higher than triticale mixtures at similar ratios. The LER values for all mixed cropping treatments were obtained higher than one. By increasing the barley and triticale ratio in mixtures, DMY and LER values were increased. Positive and higher relative crowding coefficient (Kcereal= 1.65-6.26) and actual yield loss (AYLcereal= 0.175-1.46) indices in barley and triticale indicated that these plants were dominant competitive species with respect to grass pea. Among the mixed cropping treatments, mixture ratio of 75% barely + 25% grass pea, having DMY of 2.31 t/ha, LER of 1.538 and monetary advantage index of 107.24, was selected as the most suitable ratio for planting in dryland conditions of Zanjan.