Evaluation of yield and yield components of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in intercropping with maize (Zea mays L.)

To study of the sowing system, plant density and weeding on yield and yield components of maize and peanut, an experiment at the Research Farm of Agriculture Center of Zabol University (Iran) in 2012 at factorial experiment in the form of RCBD with three replications was conducted. Use of sowing system in four levels as first factor inclusive (sole maize, sole peanut, 50% maize + 50% peanut, 100% maize + 100% peanut) and plant density as second factor in two levels (40 and 5 cm) and weeding as third factor in three levels inclusive (non weeding, once weeding, twice weeding). The results showed that the sowing system was significant on Plant height, Stem diameter, No. of kernel.ear-1, No. of kernel.row-1, No. of ear.plant-1, 1000 grain weight, biological yield, economical yield and harvest index. As well as, effect of weeding was significant on all of the said characteristics excluding of Biological yield, economical yield and harvest index. The highest economical yield was obtained from sole maize, twice weeding and 50 cm density. The results of this experiment showed that the highest LER was obtained from 100% maize + 100% peanut that have sign of advantage of intercropping system compared to sole maize and sole peanut.