Response of Competition Indices to Row Configuration in Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L.)- Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata L.) Intercropping and seed proportion of mung bean in Additive Series in Semi-Arid Area of Wag Hemira Zone, Ethiopia

In the dry land areas, intercropping is the right options in improving yield due to erratic rainfall distribution. A proper crop combination, optimal plant population, and suitable row configuration are of paramount importance in intercropping systems. Sorghum-mung bean intercropping is common in the semi-arid Wag-Hemira Zone, Ethiopia, with sorghum as the main crop. However, optimal row configuration and seed proportion have not been studied. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Aybra to determine the ideal mung bean seed proportion and row arrangement for maximum productivity and profitability in an additive intercropping system. Three seed proportions of mung bean (200%, 100%, and 67%), and four row configurations (1S:1M, 2S:1M, 1S:2M, and 3S:1M) with two sole cropping systems as check in additive series in Randomization block design (RCBD) with three replications in factorial arrangement. The collected parameters were analysis using SAS software. The land equivalent ratio (LER), competitive ratio (CR), area-time equivalent ratio (ATER), monetary advantage index (MAI) were calculated. The highest total LER (1.39) and MAI (57119, 48971 ETB ha-1) were obtained when 67% of the seed was planted in the 1S:1M row ratio. The highest marginal rate of return (2094.203) was observed when a 200% seed rate of mung bean was planted in a 1S:1M row ratio. Therefore, based on the superior compatibility, and economic benefit, intercropping of sorghum with mung bean in a 1S:1M ratio with 67% seed proportion, followed by 200% seed proportion of mung bean is recommended for the study area and similar agro ecology.