Interspecific competition and economic viability of the sesame + cowpea bean intercropping in organic system as a function of the planting times days

Abstract

Intercrops are the simultaneously growth of two or more species in the same area. In order to understand the competitive relations and the economic viability of the sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) + cowpeabean (Vigna unguiculata L.) intercropping, a field work was carried out in a randomized block with six treatments and four replicates. The treatments were the monocropping of sesame and cowpea bean and the relative planting of the cowpea regarding to the sesame (0, 7, 14 and 21 days after the sowing of the Pedaliaceae). The competitive pressure from the cowpea bean on the sesame was higher when the Fabaceae was sowed at the same day and 7 days after the Pedaliaceae. Sesame was more competitive than the cowpea bean in relation to the use of the natural resources how later was the sowing of the Fabaceae. The sesame + cowpea bean intercropping showed potentially more profitable than the other treatments when the Fabaceae was sowing 7 days after the Pedaliaceae.