1439-037X/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=29c81c798d01c18ff038245b52eff68391f6816e)
Effects of Two Underseed Species, Medicago polymorpha L. and Scorpiurus muricatus L., on the Yield of Main Crop (Durum Wheat) and Subsequent Crop (Teff) Under Humid Moisture Regimes in Ethiopia
Article first published online: 22 APR 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-037X.1992.tb01006.x
1439-037X/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=dd800f7d25a585232d83a87a9f62fdfd934b24e9 "Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science")
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How to Cite
Pülschen, L. (1992), Effects of Two Underseed Species, Medicago polymorpha L. and Scorpiurus muricatus L., on the Yield of Main Crop (Durum Wheat) and Subsequent Crop (Teff) Under Humid Moisture Regimes in Ethiopia. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 168: 249–254. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-037X.1992.tb01006.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 22 APR 2008
- Article first published online: 22 APR 2008
- Received July 31, 1991; accepted November 27, 1991
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Ethiopia;
- underseed legumes;
- competitive and residual effects
Abstract
Mixed cropping of leguminous underseed species and cereal crops may increase productivity and serve some additional purposes. Two leguminous weed species which are widely distributed in annual crops of the Ethiopian highlands have been studied with varying coverage in greenhouse trials in Ethiopia with regard to their suitability as underseeds and with wheat (Triticum turgidum [L.] Thell. var. durum [Desf.] MacKey) as a main crop. The competitive effects of Scorpiurus muricatus L. on the grain yield of wheat were smaller than those of Medicago polymorpha L. (-14.1 % and -23.6 % respectively, compared with the underseed free control) which is mainly ascribed to differences in their speed of development and shoot height. The residual effects of the underseed's root masses on the grain yield of the successive teff crop (Eragrostis tef [Zucc] Trotter) were significantly higher with Scorpiurus muricatus (+99.3 %) than with Medicago polymorpha (+63.6 %). The results are discussed with regard to the specific site conditions in the cereal-dominated cropping systems of the Ethiopian highlands.