Growth and Yield of Two Red Chili Varieties Intercropped with Shallots at Different Planting Times

This study evaluated land-use efficiency in a red chili–shallot intercropping system and examined the effects of chili variety and planting time on crop growth and yield. The experiment was conducted from November 2025 to March 2026 in Amor-Amor Hamlet, Gumantar Village, Kayangan District, North Lombok Regency, Indonesia, using a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement and three replications. The treatments consisted of two chili varieties, Luwes F1 and Landung, and three planting times: 3, 4, and 5 weeks after shallot planting (WAP). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance at the 5% significance level, followed by the least significant difference test for significant effects. No significant interaction between variety and planting time was observed for any measured parameter. Planting time significantly affected fruit number, fruit weight per plant, and fruit weight per plot, with the highest values recorded at 3 WAP (46.0 fruits, 377.5 g, and 4.6 kg, respectively). Landung produced greater fruit weight per plant and per plot than Luwes F1, with values of 344.3 g and 4.10 kg, respectively. Neither variety nor planting time significantly affected shallot growth or yield. All intercropping combinations had a land equivalent ratio (LER) greater than 1, indicating more efficient land use than sole cropping. The LER range must be confirmed against the original data before the final abstract is submitted. Overall, planting chili at 3 WAP resulted in the highest numerical chili yield and LER among the tested treatments.