Evaluation of physiological characteristics of curcuma (Curcuma xanthorhizha Roxb.) on various intercropping patterns with soybean [Gglycine max (L.) Merrill]

Purpose of this research was to get the best planting pattern on Curcuma (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. Synm. Curcuma javanica) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) related to plants production, land equivalent ratio (LER) and R/C ratio. This research used the randomized block design involving six treatments and four replications. The growth pattern and yield of curcuma were based on the following parameters: length of plant, number of leaf, broad of leaf, fresh and dry weight of leaves, curcuma root and rhizome, LER (land equivalent ratio) and R/C ratio within six months from December 2015 to June 2016. The treatment difference was based on the LSD5%. The result showed that curcuma planted one month earlier under narrow spacing and bigger soybean population (strip relay, T-K)) suggested a longer growth than any other plating patterns. On the contrary, curcuma planted one month earlier under wide spacing and fewer number of soybean plants (row relay, T-K) suggested a better growth than others and resulting in the highest curcuma yield, lower soybean yield, LER=1.09 dan R/C=2.36.