Studies on the strip pattern optimization of relay intercropping of flax and maize in the irrigated area of Ningxia

A relay intercropping of flax and maize with different strip pattern in a field experiment have been used in the irrigated area of Ningxia were studied. The characters and yield of the two crops, and the economic effect of the crops were analysed. The results showed that the total yield of the crops was highly correlated with the yield of maize (r=0. 99 ), and the yield of the maize was highly correlated with the area rate of the maize in relay intercropping, too (r=0. 99 ). According to the above results, it was thought that the area rate of flax and maize in the relay intercropping should be 0. 60: 0. 40 ~ 0. 65: 0. 35, and optimal patterns should be pattern B(2. 25m, 1. 35m:0. 9m) and pattern A (2. 05m, 1. 35m: 0. 7m).