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Gewählte Publikation:

Nassab, ADM; Amon, T; Kaul, HP.
(2011): Competition and yield in intercrops of maize and sunflower for biogas
IND CROP PROD. 2011; 34(1): 1203-1211. FullText FullText_BOKU

Abstract:
Maize (Zea mays L.) is widely used for the production of biogas, but intercrops of maize and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) might improve yield as well as the environmental compatibility of biofuel production. We conducted a field study planting both crops in pure stands and intercrops in three intercropping ratios (maize:sunflower with 33:67,67:33 and 50:50 ratio) at two nitrogen application rates (no fertilizer and 85 kg N/ha as organic fertilizer plus 85 kg N/ha as mineral fertilizer) to determine the competition between the two species and the advantage of intercropping systems at two sites differing in water supply during 2007 and 2009. Dry matter yield of maize and sunflower in mono- and intercropping systems were significantly affected by intercropping ratio, nitrogen fertilizer rate and environments. Sunflower was more competitive than maize especially in intercrops with 67% sunflower. Intercropped sunflower had a higher relative crowding coefficient (K= 1.39) than intercropped maize (0.86). Intercropping with 67% maize had the highest land equivalent ratio (1.11) and relative methane yield advantages (0.94)111 one environment and showed high yield stability. It is concluded that the maize component should be dominant (> 50%) for intercropping. In regions with more rainfall during the growing season, maize-sunflower intercrops required a sufficient N supply to realize a yield advantage. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Autor*innen der BOKU Wien:
Amon Thomas
Kaul Hans-Peter

Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
Energy crops
Biofuel
Land equivalent ratio
Competition indices
Biogas yield


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