Growth and yield of lettuce and marcela (Achyrocline satureioides) in single-cultivar and intercropping - doi: 10.4025/actasciagron.v33i2.4426

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield and the gross income of lettuce and marcela in single-cultivar and intercropping. The experiment was carried with two rows of marcela grown 0.50 m apart, two rows of marcela 0.35 m apart, three rows of lettuce 0.35 m apart, four rows of lettuce 0.25 m apart, two rows of marcela 0.50 m apart alternated with four rows of lettuce, and two rows of marcela 0.35 m apart alternated with three rows of lettuce. A random block design was used with four replications. Different variables of plants were evaluated in each specie. Intercropping was evaluated by land equivalent ratio (LER) and the validation was by gross income determination. The productions of lettuce and marcela did not differ in relation to culture type. The calculated LERs indicated that both intercroppings were effective. However, regarding gross income, it was evidenced that the option of intercropping was economically viable only for the producers of marcela, whereas for the lettuce producers, the single-cultivar presented better performance.