Maize-soybean intercropping in double row plant spacing

Intercropping of maize-soybean can increase land utilization and farmers income. The research was aimed to obtain a better maize-soybean intercropping model on double row plant spacing. The field experiment was conducted on dry land at Research Station in Bontobili, Gowa, Indonesia. The treatment consisted of 1: Maize monoculture with double row at plant spacing of 50-100 cm x 20 cm; 2: Intercropping 1 row of soybean in maize double row at plant spacing of 50-100 cm x 20 cm; 3: Intercropping 2 rows of soybean in maize double row at plant spacing of 50-100 cm x 20 cm; 4: Monoculture of maize with double row at plant spacing of 40-110 cm x 20 cm; 5: Intercropping with 1 row of soybean in double row plant spacing of 40-110 cm x 20 cm; 6: Intercropping 2 rows of soybean in maize double row at plant spacing of 40-110 cm x 20 cm; 7: Maize monoculture with plant spacing of 75 cm x 20 cm; 8: Soybean monoculture with plant spacing of 40 x 20 cm. Both of maize monoculture and intercropping maintained plant population at 66,666 plants ha-1 . Monoculture of soybean population was 125,000 plant ha-1 , whereas intercropping whit 1 row of soybean was 33,333 plant ha-1 and 2 rows of soybean at 66,666 plant ha-1 . The research used randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that maize-soybean intercropping in double row plant spacing was able to obtained grain yield of 7.27–7.70 t ha-1 , with total relative value of 1.08–1.19, maize equivalent yield of 7.88–9.11 t ha-1 , land equivalent ratio of 1.35–1.70, profit of USD 965.46–1,139.78 ha-1 , and benefitcost (B-C) ratio of 1.62–1.74, this results were higher than in case of monoculture. Intercropping of maize-soybean with double row plant spacing of 40-110 x 20 cm and 50-100 x 20 cm with 2 rows of soybean were planting spacing model that can be recommended to be implemented because both have the highest productivity and economic benefit compared to other models.