Impact of Intercropping Egyptian Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum var Fahel) with Wheat on Water Use Efficiency of Irrigation

Abstract

Three field experiments were conducted at the Experimental Farm of Shandaweel Agricultural Research Station, Agric. Res. Center, Sohag Governorate during in the two growing seasons of 2014/15 and 2015/16 to study the water use efficiency for Egyptian clover (fahl barssem) intercropped with wheat under some agricultural treatments. Each experiment was further divided into one of three planting methods (drill on beds, drill and broadcasting) including three weed control method, i.e. spraying with bazagran, hand weeding and without weed control in the main plots. While the three seeding rates of fahl berseem were 15, 25 and 35% of its recommended rate (20 kg/fed) were placed on subplots. Each rate was mixed with the recommended rate of wheat seed (50 kg/fed) using randomized complete block design in split plot arrangement with three replications. The results revealed that the maximum grain yield was obtained through drill on beds planting, spraying with bazagran and seeding rate of fahl berseem 15% intercropped with wheat in both seasons. Cultivation on drill on beds, chemical weeds control and fahl barseem intercropped with wheat systems can be the suitable production package under the conditions of water deficiency that Egypt experience. Up to 29% of the applied water to fahl barseem can be saved, as a result of cultivation on drill on beds. Up to 5% of the applied water to fahl barseem can be saved as a result of chemical weeds control. Furthermore, 538, 897 or 1255 m3/fed from the applied water to fahl barseem can be saved if 15, 25 or 35% of it intercropped with wheat. In addition to, it obtained the highest water use efficiency.