Evaluating the effects of alternative and regulated deficit irrigation on yield and some components in intercropping (Sorghum - Red bean)

Irrigated agriculture is the main user of the available water resources. About 70% of the total water withdrawals and 60-80% of total consumptive water use are consumed in irrigation (Sepaskhah and Ahmadi, 2010). Due to changes in climatic parameters and reduction of available water resources, The application of water saving strategies such as deficit irrigation with choosing suitable cultivation system compatible with ecological characteristics of the area such as intercropping, can reduced water use consumption. Many researchers have studied the effects of these methods on some components of yield and water use efficiency (Anderian, 2004; Caviglia et al, 2004; Filho, 2000; Tahir et al, 2003). In recent years, the concept of alternate partial root-zone drying irrigation has been raised and attracted considerable interest. Partial root-zone drying technique (PRD) is a modified form of deficit irrigation which involves irrigation only one part of the root zone in each irrigation event, leaving another part to dry to certain soil water content before rewetting by shifting irrigation to the dry side (Sepaskhah and Ahmadi, 2010) that this technique has been less investigated in intercropping system. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of regulated deficit irrigation (DI) and partial root-zone drying (PRD) on yield and some components of intercropping Sorghum- Red bean.