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A Pear and Vegetable Interculture System: Land Equivalent Ratio, Light Use Efficiency and Productivity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

S. M. Newman
S. M. Newman
Affiliation:
Applied Biosystems Unit, Energy Research Group, Open University, Milton Keynes, England
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Summary

The productivity, land equivalent ratios (LERs) and light use efficiency of a pear and radish interculture system were assessed. Pear yield was unaffected by intercropping. Relative yields for the radish component varied between 0.5–1.01 depending upon the yield index and spatial arrangement employed. This gave LER values for the system of 1.5–2.01. The overall trans-missivity of the pear canopy was 73%. A 47% reduction in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) gave a yield reduction of 65% in terms of number of saleable radish, but did not affect total dry matter productivity. Reductions in radish yield directly beneath pear trees was thought to be due to other factors besides PAR. The total dry matter productivity of a system containing five successive radish crops was estimated at 26.25 tonnes ha−1 yr−1.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 22 , Issue 4 , October 1986 , pp. 383 - 392
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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