Effect of spatial arrangement on aggressivity and grain yield of maize/pea intercropping system

Effects of different inter-specific spacing between pea and maize strips in maize/pea intercropping system on inter-specific aggressivity and grain yield were studied via a field experiment in arid oasis irrigated area in Gansu.Results showed that dry matter accumulation of each component crops in maize/ pea intercropping was fitted to the Logistic growth function.Dry matter weight of intercropped maize was greatest in 30cm spacing between pea and maize strips,an increase of 19.5% and 18.0%,as compared to 15cm spacing and 45cm spacing,respectively.It had no significant effect of strips spacing on dry matter accumulation of intercropped pea.Aggressivity of maize/pea intercropping was greater than 0in co-growth period.Aggressivity for intercropped maize towards pea intercrops was greatest in 45cm strips spacing, with a value of 0.50,an increase of 31.6%and 16.3%,as compared to 30cm spacing and 15cm spacing, respectively.Intercropping had significant yield advantages over sole crops,with their LER was greater than 1.20among treatments.Grain yield was greatest in 30cm strips spacing,with its yield of 12 915 kg/hm2,an increase of 11.8%and 11.1%,as compared to 15cm spacing and 45cm spacing,respectively.