Economical evaluation of alfalfa intercropping with perennial grasses compared to alfalfa sole cropping

Subject Areas : Agroecology Journal

Hormoz Asadi ¹ , Vida Gotbi ² , Ardalan Mehrani ³

1 - Faculty Members of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran.
2 - Faculty Members of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran.
3 - Faculty Members of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran.

Received: 2011-10-27 Accepted : 2012-08-06 Published : 2012-08-22

Keywords: alfalfa, Grass, mixed cultivation, economical assessment,

Abstract :

   In order to evaluate the economic advantage of alfalfa intercropping compared to alfalfa sole cropping, an experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replication in karaj in Seed and Plant Improvement Institute farm, Karaj during 2007 and 2008. Economic method was partial budgeting technique. Economic results showed that alfalfa mixed cultivation with festuca (15: 3.75 kg/ha) selected as good treatment, because substitution of this treatment by other treatments was non-economic. Net profit of this treatment estimated up to 43.8 million rial/ha that was more than other treatments. Breakeven of point for income in alfalfa mixed cultivation with festuca (5: 3.75 kg/ha) to alfalfa mixed cultivation with grasses (5:11.25 kg/ha) ) and the treatment of alfalfa mixed cultivation with grasses (10:7.5 kg/ha) was estimated 63464 and 61623 (000 rials), respectively. Mixed cultivation of alfalfa (%75) and Dactylis (%25) resulted in the highest mean LER (2.1) in the experimental years.  

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