Different wheat intercropping systems with tomato to alleviate chilling stress, increase yield and profitability

• Published in: Annals of agricultural science 2022-06, Vol.67 (1), p.136-145
• Main Authors: Sheha, Ahmed M., El-Mehy, Amira A., Mohamed, Ahmed S., Saleh, Said A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Competition relationships; Intercropping; Low-temperature stress; Net return; Productivity per unit area; Tomato-wheat
• ISSN: 0570-1783
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aoas.2022.06.005

Chilling temperature stress is the largest factor affecting tomato performance. Under these conditions, tomato cultivations require protection from cold and frost waves. A field study was conducted to investigate the effect of three wheat sowing dates (November 1st; November 15th and December 1st), and three wheat seeding rates of 25, 37.5, and 50 % of the normal seeding rate (142.8 kg seeds/ha) on the following aspects: yield and yield components of both crops, land equivalent ratio (LER), area time equivalent ratio (ATER), and economic return. The results revealed that intercropping wheat with tomato in mid-November, coupled with a 50 % seeding rate, produced the highest values of fruit setting (%), yield components, and total fruit yield/ha of tomato during both seasons. The climatic conditions prevailing on November 15th favored the increase of grain, straw yield/ha, and yield components compared to the other sowing dates. The density of the wheat seeding rate at 50 % produced the highest grain and straw yield/ha. In addition, intercropping wheat with tomato at a 50 % seeding rate on November 15th led to the highest values of LER (1.77 and 1.80) and ATER (1.35 and 1.36) and increased the net return by 106.6 and 112.0 % compared to the sole tomato cultivation in 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. These results indicate that intercropping wheat with tomato on November 15th at a 50 % seeding rate can better protect tomato plants from chilling and frost waves.