Effect of inter- and intra-row spacing on yield and yield components of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) under rain-fed condition at Metema District, northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract Background The study was conducted in 2017 main cropping season at two locations in North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia, to determine the optimum inter- and intra-row spacing of mung bean for maximum yield and yield components. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a factorial arrangement of four inter-row (20, 30, 40 and 50 cm) and three intra-row (5, 10 and 15 cm) spacing using mung bean variety Rasa (N-26). Results Significant interaction effect of inter- and intra-row spacing was observed for days to maturity, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, grain yield, harvest index, days to flowering, plant height and aboveground dry biomass yield. The highest grain yield (1882.67 kg ha−1) was obtained at interaction of 40 × 10 cm spacing, while the lowest (1367.8 kg ha−1) was obtained from 20 × 5 cm spacing. However, the result of economic analysis showed that the maximum net benefit was obtained at spacing of 40 × 15 cm. Conclusions Based on agronomic performance and economic analysis, use of 40 × 15 cm is promising for mung bean production in Metema District and similar agroecologies