Benefit analysis for different spring soybean-maize intercropping patterns in Guangxi

ObjectiveProper different spring soybean-maize intercropping patterns for Guangxi were explored in order to provide technical references form promotion of soybean-maize intercropping in Guangxi. MethodFive intercropping patterns were set in the experiment: maize wide row spacing 120 cm and planting two lines of soybean (M120S2),maize wide row spacing 160 cm and planting two lines of soybean(M160S2), maize wide row spacing 160 cm and planting three lines of soybean(M160S3), maize wide row spacing 200 cm and planting two lines of soybean(M200S2) and maize wide row spacing 200 cm and planting three lines of soybean (M200S3). The controls were single cropping maize (CKM) and single cropping soybean(CKS). Agronomic traits, yields and related traits of spring soybean and maize were recorded under different cropping patterns and the comprehensive economic benefits of each pattern were analyzed and compared. ResultThe two year field experiment during 2013-2014 indicated that, as maize wide row spacing extended, spring soybean stem diameter, caulis node number,grain weight per plant increased,thus the yield was improved. Under the same wide row spacing (160 and 200 cm),the soybean yield of three lines growing between maize wide row was higher than that of two lines. However,as wide row spacing enlarged,maize ear diameter,100-grain weight and yield decreased. Among the five patterns, economic benefits of M160S3 pattern(18345.53 yuan/ha) and M120S2 pattern(18094.18 yuan/ha) were better than the others.ConclusionConsidering economic benefits of each cropping pattern and small agricultural machinery operation , maize wide row spacing 160 cm and planting three lines of soybean is suitable for promotion in Guangxi.