YIELD, SEED QUALITY, AND FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY OF SOYBEAN INTERCROPPED WITH MAIZE IN THE ALFISOL DRY LAND

Intercropping of soybean with maize in the maize-producing areas is essential in expanding the soybean-harvested area in Indonesia. Such a study was carried out from March to July 2019 in the Alfisol dry land of Tuban, East Java using three soybean varieties (Argomulyo, Dena 1, and Dega 1) and cropping patterns of soybean and maize monoculture, intercropped of soybean + maize 0 day after soybean planting (DASP), soybean + maize 10 DASP, and soybean + maize 20 DASP. The soil had an alkaline pH (8) with a high content of Ca. No rainfall occurred 60 DASP, resulting in zero maize yield for both maize plantings at 10 and 20 DASP. The intercropping of soybean + maize 0 DASP was more beneficial relative to maize or soybean monoculture. Dena 1 variety showed the highest values of total land efficiency ratio (LER) (1.61), total equivalent to maize yield (7.18 t/ha), profit (IDR 18,878,000), and B/C ratio (1.92). Both cropping patterns produced a relatively similar 100-seed weight, and the seed quality was also suitable for seed production. Meanwhile, a slight and remarkable decrease in protein and fat content was noted, respectively for both cropping patterns. The results suggest that intercropping soybean with maize at 0 DASP is promising to be introduced in the Alfisol dry land.