Maximizing Productivity, Profitability and Land Use Efficiency by Relay Intercropping Watermelon with some Wheat Cultivars under Drip Irrigation System

A field experiment was carried out in Ismailia Experiment Station, ARC, Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons, to study the effect of planting dates (1st, 10th and20th March) of watermelon relay intercropping with wheat and wheat cultivars (Misr 1, Gemmiza 11and Sakha 93) on productivity, land use efficiency and profitability per unit area. A split-plot design was used with three replications. Results indicated that growth, yield and its attributes of wheat were insignificant effect by watermelon planting dates. Contrary, planting dates of watermelon relay with wheat significantly affected watermelon traits. Early planting date on 1st March of watermelon had highest values of growth, yield and yield components. On the other hand, late planting date of watermelon decreased growth, yield and its components. Wheat cultivars varied significantly in all studied traits. Misr 1 cultivar had the highest grain yield/fad compared to Gemmiza 11 and Sakha 93. However, watermelon relay intercropping with wheat cultivar Sakha 93 significantly increased branches number/plant, number of fruits/plant, mean fruit weight and fruit yield/fad of watermelon. Relay intercropping watermelon with wheat Sakha 93 cultivar on 1st March had 15.41ardab/fad of grain wheat + 25.29 t/fad fruits of watermelon and increased land equivalent ratio (LER), area time equivalent ration (ATER) and total income compared to solid watermelon culture had 26.15 t/fad of fruits and 57920 L.E/fad, respectively. Therefore, this study suggested watermelon relay intercropping with wheat to share land resources and production inputs as well as increased wheat production and grower profitability in watermelon cultivated areas.