Intercropping sesbania green manure with mungbean at different row ratios under irrigated conditions

Abstract

Recent research has shown that food and green, manure production may be combined to optimize resource use in the pre-rice period. A fieldwtrial was designed to examine the effect of intercropping sesbania [Sesbania rostrata (Brem)] with mungbean fVigna radiata (L) Wilezek] at different row ratios under irrigated conditions at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) experimental farm, Los Banos and Guimba, Nueva Ecija. At both locations 2:2 mungbean : sesbania row combination were ideal for higher green manure nitrogen production. Mungbean grain yield was generally reduced significantly due to intercropping sesbania across locations. Rice yield levels of green manure and Urea- N treatments were comparable at both Los Banos and Guimba sites. N efficiency and grain N ratio were higher at Guimba than at Los Banos. Application of organic nitrogen from mungbean and sesbania intercroppings produced higher economic return than inorganic nitrogen.