Agronomical and financial feasibility of sweet corn intercropped under the coconut-based farming system in North Sulawesi

Abstract

Research has been conducted in Pandu Experimental Garden, North Sulawesi. The research aimed to study the feasibility of sweet corn intercropping into a coconut-based farming system. The materials and methods used in this study were Khina-1 hybrid coconut monoculture plantations, planted in 1986 under RCBD design. The treatment used is: 6 treatments were: A: spacing 70 cm x 20 cm, under coconut; B: Spacing 70cm x 20 cm, under coconut; C: Spacing 70cm x 25cm, under coconut; D: Spacing 70cm x 30cm, under coconut; E: Spacing 70cm x 35cm, under coconut; and F: Spacing 70cm x 40cm unshaded. The Least Significant Difference Test (LSD) was then applied for mean separations. Significates were established at the 0.05 probability level. Financial analysis used RC Ratio, BEP, and sensitivity analysis. Financial analysis used an RC Ratio of 2.17, BEP Production determined 60,800 cobs/ha/3 seasons while BEB in price is IDR460.61/cob and sensitivity analysis. The best production in this research is treatment F, spacing 70cm x 20cm, unshaded, but for commercial purposes, it is recommended for treatment C, spacing 70cm x 30 cm to be implemented in the intercropping of the sweet corn within coconut plantation due to its financial analysis results.