Optimization of Seed Proportions of Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata L.) and Planting Patterns for Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L.) -Mung Bean Intercropping in Lasta District, North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

Assefa, Abebe
Abate, Mesfin
Haile, Mekides
Hunegnaw, Yirsaw

International Journal on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (IJFANRES)
Vol 6, No 2 (2025): IJ-FANRES

Planting patterns and seed ratio of the added crops determine the success or failure of intercropping. In the Lasta district, intercropping sorghum and mung bean is a common practice. However, there is a dearth of research on the optimal proportions of mung bean seeds added and the proper planting patterns for sorghum-mung bean intercropping. Therefore, this experiment was conducted in 2022 at Lasta district, North Wollo Zone, to determine the optimal mung bean seed proportion, to identify the best sorghum-mung bean planting pattern and their combinations. Three seed proportions of mung bean (100%, 67% and 50% ) with three sorghum-mung bean planting patterns (1S:1M, 2S:1M, and 3S:1M) including sole sorghum and mung bean as a control with three replication were tested using RCBD factorial arrangement. Data such as days to heading and maturity, panicle length, plant height, biomass grain yield for main crop and days to 50% flowering, 90% physiological maturity, pods per plant, branches per plant, seeds per pod, biomass and seed yield were collected and analysis using SAS software. The analysis of variance indicated that most of the study traits were significantly affected by the treatments. The highest grain yield of sorghum (3030.93 kg ha-1 and 3020.43kg ha-1) was obtained within 2S:1M x 67% and 1S:1M x 50% of planting pattern and seed proportion of mung bean, respectively. Intercropping sorghum in a 1:1 planting pattern within 50% seed proportion of mung bean gives 12.54 and 63.65% yield advantages over planting sorghum and mung bean alone respectively. Therefore, adding the 50% (125,000 plants ha-1) mung bean seed proportion with a 1S:1M planting pattern is recommended for intercropping in the target area, based on its better compatibility, and yield productivity. This practice will optimize land use, improve yields, ensure nutritional balance and food security, enhance soil fertility, mitigate climate change, and contribute to more sustainable farming in the district compared to the separate planting.