Performance of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as Influenced by Time of Planting Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) as Intercrop

Abstract

One common approach to increase crop production is through multiple cropping systems. This study was conducted to (1) evaluate the growth and yield of peanut as influenced by time of planting sweetpotato as intercrop; (2) determine the appropriate time of planting peanut and sweetpotato that would give their respective optimum yields; and (3) determine the profitability of growing peanut in combination with sweetpotato as influenced by time of planting the crops in an intercropping scheme.

Results of the study showed that peanut’s maturity, leaf area index (LAI), number of seeds pod and number of pods plant were significantly (p<0.05) increased by the time of planting sweetpotato as intercrop. Sweetpotato planted later than peanut significantly (p<0.05) improved the number of lateral vines plant, length of main vine, and fresh herbage yield of sweetpotato. Yield and yield components and harvest index of sweetpotato were not significantly (p <0.05) affected by the time of planting the crops.

A net income of Php 66,508.00 was obtained from plots planted with peanut + sweetpotato regardless of time of planting. All intercropping treatments had a leaf area index (LER) of greater than one which means that peanut and sweetpotato are a good combination in an intercropping scheme compared to planting peanut as monocrop.