evaluation of physiological and morphological characteristics and yield of soybean (glycine max l.) cultivars under different intercropping planting ratios

in order to evaluate physiological and morphological characteristics and yield of soybean (glycine max l.) cultivars under different planting ratios a field experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with four replications at the gaem shahr agricultural research centre of mazandran province, iran, during 2008. two soybean cultivars (032 and sari) were planted in row intercropping in 3:1, 2:2, 1:3 and pure cultures variety planted as replacement method, respectively. the results indicated that the planting ratio had significant effect on pod dispersal in different parts of main stem and yield of soybean cultivars. the pod number to one third mid in main stem into 53 percentages was more in 032 in pure stand and pod number to one third up into 56 percentages was more in sari cultivar pure stand. intercropping ratio showed significant effect on leaf area index (lai) and total dry weight (tdw) soybean cultivars. leaf area index (lai) and total dry weight (tdw) was higher in 2:2, 1:3 and 3:1 planting ratios compared to pure stand in each cultivar. the highest land equivalent ratios (ler) and seed yield on mean which was 4558 kg.ha-1 were belong to 2:2 planting ratio. in general the highest yield of soybean cultivars was in 2:2 planting ratio which may cause increasing in lai and suitable pod dispersal in different parts of canopy structure of soybean cultivars.