Effect of Intercropping Sunflower Cultivars with Different Plant Densities and Gurma Watermelon Pulp in Relation to Yield

A two year study was carried out to determine the effects of intercropping Gurma watermelon pulp and sunflower cultivars with various plant densities in Itai El-Baroud, Research Station, El Behaira Governorate, Agriculture of Research Center Giza, Egypt during the summers of 2019 and 2020. Three sunflower plant densities (66%, 33%, and 16.50% ) and two sunflower cultivars ( Sakha 53 and Giza 102) Cultivation of watermelon pulp and sunflowers individually. A split plot design with three replications was adopted. The intercropping of 100% Gurma watermelon pulp with Giza 102 sunflower + 16.50 % plant density produced the maximum seed yield and watermelon pulp yield components in both seasons .While the lowest values of Gurma watermelon pulp were obtained by combining 100% Gurma watermelon pulp with Sakha 53 sunflower cultivars and 66% sunflower plant density. In terms of sunflower, intercropping 100% Gurma watermelon pulp with Sakha 53 at a plant density of 66% resulted in the highest values. The intercropping system of 100% watermelon pulp with Giza 102 sunflower, Relative crowding coefficient 3.694 and 4.177 in the two seasons, respectively, recorded the greatest values of for the land equivalent ratio 1.284and 1.324) in the two seasons. While The combination of 100% watermelon pulp, 16.50% sunflower plant density, and the Giza 102 sunflower cultivar produced the highest net return10718.41 and 13688.22 in the two seasons. To get the best return, it might be advised to use 100% Gurma watermelon pulp and 16.5% of the Giza 102 cultivar's sunflower plant density.