Advantage of Intercropping Roselle with Common Bean over Sole Cropping in Ethiopia

Abstract

This experiment was conducted in Ethiopia, during 2017/2018 dry season to determine the roselle-common bean advantage over sole cropping through competition indices. The experiment was carried out in a RCBD with a 2x4 factorial arrangement of two roselle varieties with four planting densities of common bean plus three sole cropping. It was replicated three times having 11 treatments (sole cropping of two roselle varieties (Hibiscus-Sudan and Hibiscus-Jamaica) and a common bean variety (Ibbado) and intercropping of the two roselle varieties with four common bean planting densities combinations (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%)). Data analysis was done using SAS software version 9.3 and the differences between means were assessed using Duncan`s Multiple Range Test at 5% probability level. Partial land equivalent ratio (LER) analysis showed that there was no significant difference between two roselle varieties while partial LER of common was significantly higher when intercropped with Hibiscus-Sudan (0.51) than with Hibiscus-Jamaica (0.38). Both roselle varieties and common bean planting density did not influence total LER and monetary advantage index (MAI). However, intercropping Hibiscus-Sudan variety resulted higher yield advantage (35%) and monetary advantage (17,946 ETB) and combination of common bean with roselle at 100% planting density resulted 39% yield advantage and 21,410 ETB. Therefore, we recommend combination of Hibiscus-Sudan and 100% planting density of common bean for growers in the same agroecology with the study area for better yield and economic advantage.