Bean Intercropping System Research Articles

Facilitated legume nodulation, phosphate uptake and nitrogen transfer by arbuscular inoculation in an upland rice and mung bean intercropping system

Intercropping of upland rice with short-duration grain legumes has major advantages in increasing crop yields and soil productivity. However, the contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizas, the common mutualistic symbiosis between most crops and mycorrhizal fungi, is not fully understood in intercropping systems. We assayed the contribution of inoculation of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus caledonium on nutrient acquisition and biomass yield. Using the method of plastic film and nylon net partition and tracing 15N transferred between the intercropped upland rice (Oryza sativa ssp. Japonica Nipponbare) and mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Chuanyuan), we compared the intercropping, with separation of the whole root systems by a plastic film, with and without a barrier of nylon net to allow penetration of the fungal hyphae. Intercropping significantly improved the formation of arbuscular mycorrhizas, particularly in the upland rice roots. The improved formation of mycorrhizas by the intercropping increased total P uptake by 57% in rice, total P and N acquisition by 65% and 64% respectively in mung bean, and nodulation by 54% in mung bean. The percentage of total 15N transfer from mung bean to rice leaves was increased from 5.4% to 15.7% by inoculation with AMF. In contrast, there was only 2.7% of 15N transfer from rice to mung bean and no AMF effect on N transfer. It is concluded that cereal and legume crop intercropping increase mycorrhiza formation, which in turn improves nodulation, N and P acquisition and N transfer in the legumes.

Economic performance of the ‘push–pull’ technology for stemborer and Striga control in smallholder farming systems in western Kenya

The ‘push–pull’ technology (PPT), developed in Africa, offers effective control of cereal stemborers and Striga weed in maize-based cropping systems. It involves intercropping maize with desmodium, Desmodium uncinatum, with Napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum, planted as border around this intercrop. Desmodium repels the stemborer moths (push) that are subsequently attracted to the Napier grass (pull). Desmodium also suppresses and eliminates Striga. We assessed economic performance of this technology compared to the conventional maize mono- and maize–bean intercropping systems in six districts in western Kenya over 4–7 years. Ten farmers were randomly recruited in each district and each planted three plots representing the three cropping systems. The cost–benefit analyses were carried out, together with the systems’ net returns to land and labour and their discounted net present values (NPV). Maize grain yields and associated gross margins from the PPT system were significantly higher than those in the other two systems. Although the production costs were significantly higher in the PPT than in the two cropping systems in the first cropping year, these reduced to either the same level or significantly lower than in the maize–bean intercrop from the second year onwards in most of the districts. Similarly, the net returns to land and labour with the PPT were significantly higher than with the other two systems. The PPT consistently produced positive NPV when the incremental flows of its benefits compared to those of the two conventional systems were discounted at 10–30%, indicating that PPT is more profitable than the other two systems under realistic production assumptions. PPT is thus a viable option for enhancing productivity and diversification for smallholder farmers who largely depend on limited land resource. Hence, enhancing farmers’ access to less costly planting materials and promoting quality education and training in the use of this knowledge-intensive technology could stimulate its successful adoption.

Effect of intercropping on crop yield and chemical and microbiological properties in rhizosphere of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays L.), and faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

In this study, we investigated crop yield and various chemical and microbiological properties in rhizosphere of wheat, maize, and faba bean grown in the field solely and intercropped (wheat/faba bean, wheat/maize, and maize/faba bean) in the second and third year after establishment of the cropping systems. In both years, intercropping increased crop yield, changed N and P availability, and affected the microbiological properties in rhizosphere of the three species compared to sole cropping. Generally, intercropping increased microbial biomass C, N, and P availability, whereas it reduced microbial biomass N in rhizosphere of wheat. The rhizosphere bacterial community composition was studied by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA. In the third year of different cropping systems, intercropping significantly changed bacterial community composition in rhizosphere compared with sole cropping, and the effects were most pronounced in the wheat/faba bean intercropping system. The effects were less pronounced in the second year. The results show that intercropping has significant effects on microbiological and chemical properties in the rhizosphere, which may contribute to the yield enhancement by intercropping.

Nitrogen Fixation of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Interacting with a Non-legume in Two Contrasting Intercropping Systems

A field experiment was carried out to quantify biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) using the 15N isotope natural abundance method in maize (Zea mays L.)/faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/faba bean intercropping systems. Faba bean was yielding more in the maize/faba bean intercropping, but not in the wheat/faba bean intercropping. Biomass, grain yield and N acquisition of faba bean were significantly increased when intercropped with maize, and decreased significantly with wheat, irrespective of N-fertilizer application, indicating that the legume could gain or lose productivity in an intercropping situation. There was yield advantage of maize/faba bean intercropping, but no in wheat/faba bean intercropping. The grain yield of the faba bean intercropped with maize was greater than that of faba bean monoculture due to increases of the stems per plant and the pods per stem of faba bean. N fertilization inhibited N fixation of faba bean in maize/faba bean and wheat/faba bean intercropping and faba bean monoculture. The responses of different cropping systems to N-fertilizer application, however, were not identical, with competitive intercropping (wheat/faba bean) being more sensitive than facilitative intercropping (maize/faba bean). Intercropping increased the percentage of N derived from air (%Ndfa) of the wheat/faba bean system, but not that of the maize/faba bean system when no N fertilizer was applied. When receiving 120 kg N/ha, however, intercropping did not significantly increase %Ndfa either in the wheat/faba bean system or in the maize/faba bean system in comparison with faba bean in monoculture. The amount of shoot N derived from air (Ndfa), however, increased significantly when intercropped with maize, irrespective of N-fertilizer application. Ndfa decreased when intercropped with wheat, albeit not significantly at 120 kg N/ha. Ndfa was correlated more closely with dry matter yield, grain yield and competitive ratio, than with %Ndfa. This indicates that that total dry matter yield (sink strength), not %Ndfa, was more critical for the legume to increase Ndfa. The results suggested that N fixation could be improved by yield maximization in an intercropping system.

Grain Yield and LER of Maize-climbing Bean Intercropping as Affected by Inorganic, Organic Fertilisers and Population Density in Western Oromiya, Ethiopia

Productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) and climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgars L.) intercropping system is affected by fertility status of the soil and population density of component crops. A trial was conducted in 2002 and 2003 cropping season to investigate the effects of inorganic and organic fertilisers and population density on productivity of maize-climbing bean intercropping system. The experiment was laid out as 2x2x2x2 factorial arrangement with two sole cropping in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Nitrogen and population density significantly increased grain yield of climbing bean. FYM significantly affected LER of intercropping system. Grain yield of component crops from intercropping were significantly higher than the monocultures. Yield of intercropping were up to 27 and 403% higher for maize and climbing bean than the yield achieved by growing the crops separately. Partial land equivalent ratio of maize and climbing bean ranged between 0.94 to 1.19 and 0.30 to 0.90, respectively. Higher partial LER of maize indicated the superiority of maize on climbing bean in intercropping. Higher land equivalent ratio was recorded from intercropping than sole planting. Intercropping produced 32 to 98% more yield per unit land area than the component monocultures. Intercropping maize-climbing bean is a viable agronomic practice to produce higher yield from a unit of land.

Weed control in young coffee plantations through post emergence herbicide application onto total area

This study was carried out to investigate the efficiency of several herbicides under field conditions, by post-emergence application onto the entire area, their effect on the control of weeds in young coffee plantations and commercial coffee and bean intercropping system, as well as on both crops. Seedlings of Coffea arabica cv. Red Catuaí with four to six leaf pairs were transplanted to the field and treated according to conventional agronomic practices. A bean and coffee intercropping system was established by sowing three lines of beans in the coffee inter-rows. At the time the herbicides were sprayed, the coffee plants had six to ten leaf pairs; the bean plants, three leaflets; and the weeds were at an early development stage. Fluazifop-p-butyl and clethodim were selective for coffee plants and controlled only Brachiaria plantaginea and Digitaria horizontalis efficiently. Broad-leaved weeds (Amaranthus retroflexus, Bidens pilosa, Coronopus didymus, Emilia sonchifolia, Galinsoga parviflora, Ipomoea grandifolia, Lepidium virginicum, and Raphanus raphanistrum) were controlled with high efficiency by sole applications of fomesafen, flazasulfuron, and oxyfluorfen, except B. pilosa, C. didymus, and R. raphanistrum for oxyfluorfen. Sequential applications in seven-day intervals of fomesafen + fluazifop-p-butyl, or clethodim, and two commercial mixtures of fomesafen + fluazifop-p-butyl simultaneously controlled both types of weed. Cyperus rotundus was only controlled by flazasulfuron. Except for fluazifop-p-butyl and clethodim, all herbicide treatments caused only slight injuries on younger coffee leaves. However, further plant growth was not impaired and coffee plant height and stem diameter were therefore similar in the treatments, as evaluated four months later. Fomesafen, fluazifop-p-butyl, and clethodim, at sole or sequential application, and the commercial mixtures of fomesafen + fluazifop-p-butyl were also highly selective for bean crop; thus at doses recommended for bean crop, these herbicides may be applied to control weeds in coffee and bean intercropping systems by spraying the entire area.

A simulation model of cereal–legume intercropping systems for semi-arid regions: I. Model development

Cereal–legume intercropping plays an important role in subsistence food production in developing countries, especially in situations of limited water resources. Crop simulation can be used to assess risk for intercrop productivity over time and space. In this study, a simple model for intercropping was developed for cereal and legume growth and yield, under semi-arid conditions. The model is based on radiation interception and use, and incorporates a water stress factor. Total dry matter and yield are functions of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), the fraction of radiation intercepted and radiation use efficiency (RUE). One of two PAR sub-models was used to estimate PAR from solar radiation; either PAR is 50% of solar radiation or the ratio of PAR to solar radiation (PAR/SR) is a function of the clearness index ( K T). The fraction of radiation intercepted was calculated either based on Beer's Law with crop extinction coefficients ( K) from field experiments or from previous reports. RUE was calculated as a function of available soil water to a depth of 900 mm (ASW). Either the soil water balance method or the decay curve approach was used to determine ASW. Thus, two alternatives for each of three factors, i.e., PAR/SR, K and ASW, were considered, giving eight possible models (2 methods × 3 factors). The model calibration and validation were carried out with maize–bean intercropping systems using data collected in a semi-arid region (Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa) during seven growing seasons (1996/1997–2002/2003). The combination of PAR estimated from the clearness index, a crop extinction coefficient from the field experiment and the decay curve model gave the most reasonable and acceptable result. The intercrop model developed in this study is simple, so this modelling approach can be employed to develop other cereal–legume intercrop models for semi-arid regions.

Effects of intercropping and nitrogen application on nitrate present in the profile of an Orthic Anthrosol in Northwest China

Accumulation of nitrate in soil increases the risk of nitrate leaching and hence ground-water nitrate pollution. The impact of intercropping on nitrate accumulation in soil has been little studied in China. This field study integrated wheat. (Triticum aestivum)/maize (Zea mays) and maize/faba bean (Vicia faba) intercropping systems to assess effects of intercropping on nitrate accumulation in the profile of an alkaline soil under various application rates of N and P fertilizers in 2000. The study was conducted in Gansu Province, China. Grain yields of wheat were significantly enhanced by P fertilizer and intercropping. In the maize/faba bean system, grain yields of maize were enhanced by N fertilizer while those of maize intercropped with wheat were improved by both N and P fertilizers. Grain yields of faba bean were not affected by fertilization or cropping system. Nitrate accumulation in soil was positively related with application rates of N fertilizer. The amounts of NO3- present in soil after wheat harvest was greatest under wheat planted alone, followed by intercropped wheat, faba bean planted alone, intercropped faba bean, maize intercropped with faba bean, and least under maize intercropped with wheat. Amounts of NO3- in soil after maize harvest was in the order of wheat or faba bean planted alone, intercropping wheat and faba bean, maize intercropped with faba bean and wheat. The results suggest that intercropping decreases the accumulation of nitrate in the soil profile. The study also showed that combined application of organic materials and N fertilizer decreased nitrate accumulation compared with application of N fertilizer alone. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Productivity of maize-bean intercropping in a semi-arid region of South Africa

Food shortage is known to have been caused by overpopulation, natural disasters and poor food distribution. In areas facing food insecurity, such as Africa, peasants or small-scale farmers have practised intercropping since old times. In this study, an investigation was carried out to determine whether intercropping increased production for small-scale farming in a semi-arid region (Free State, South Africa). Crop productivity of maize and bean intercropping systems was evaluated in terms of crop yield and growth. The effect of radiation and water utilisation by these systems was measured to determine their productivity. Field trials were carried out during three summer crop growing seasons (plant densities, row orientation and sowing date trials. In all growing seasons, rainfall was below normal, and air temperatures were normal. The total land equivalent ratios for yield and growth ranged between 1.06 to 1.58 and 1.38 to 1.86 respectively, showing yield and growth advantage of intercropping. Concerning radiation and water use, the intercropping of maize and beans had both radiation and water use efficiencies (RUE and WUE, respectively) as high as maize sole cropping, and intercropping RUE and WUE were greater than bean sole cropping. >From these results, it has been concluded that maize-bean intercropping can be recommended to small-scale farmers in this semi-arid region. Water SA Vol.29(4): 381-388

Optimizing nutrient and irrigation requirement of sugarcane (Saccharum species hybrid complex) and French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) intercropping system

A field experiment was conducted during 201013, on a sandy-loam soil at Pusa, Bihar to find out optimum nu- trient and irrigation requirement of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) when intercropped with autumn sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid complex). Fifteen treatment combinations consisted of 5 fertility levels [sugarcane + French bean (1: 2) with 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) to both the crops and residue incorporation, sugarcane + French bean (1: 2) with 100% RDF to sugarcane and 50% RDF to French bean and residue incorpo- ration, sugarcane + French bean (1: 2) with 100% RDF to sugarcane and 100% N to French bean and residue re- moval (existing recommendation), sugarcane + French bean (1: 2) with 100% RDF to sugarcane and 100% N and P to French bean and residue incorporation, sugarcane + French bean (1: 2) with 100% RDF to sugarcane and 100% N and K to French bean and residue incorporation) and 3 irrigation schedules [no irrigation, 1 irrigation at 45 days after sowing (DAS) and 2 irrigations at 45 and 75 DAS] were evaluated in factorial randomized block design with 2 additional treatments as sole sugarcane and sole French bean. Application of 100% RDF to sugarcane and French bean with residue incorporation produced significantly higher grain (1.15 t/ha) and haulm yield (1.90 t/ha) of French bean. The treatments of sugarcane + French bean with 100% RDF to both the crops and residue incor- poration, sugarcane + French bean with 100% RDF to sugarcane and 100% N and K to French bean and residue incorporation and sugarcane + French bean with 100% RDF to sugarcane and 100% N and P to French bean and residue incorporation being similar noticed significantly enhanced cane-equivalent yield (100.0, 95.8 and 94.8 t/ ha), gross returns ( 2,29,400; 2,19,600 and 2,17,300/ ha), net returns ( 1,41,900; 1,33,100 and 1,30,100/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.62, 2.53 and 2.49), respectively, over rest of the treatments. The same treatment also ac- counted for higher land-equivalent ratio, area-time equivalent ratio and N, P and K uptake of sugarcane and French bean with greater available N, P and K status in post-harvest soil. Among the irrigation schedules, the highest cane yield (89.0 t/ha), French bean grain (1.20 t/ha), haulm yield (1.98 t/ha) and cane equivalent yield (106.0 t/ha) were recorded in treatment that received 2 irrigations at 45 and 75 DAS. Similarly, the maximum land- equivalent ratio, area time-equivalent ratio, gross returns, net returns, benefit: cost ratio and N, P and K uptake was noted from the enhanced levels of irrigation. The sugar yield was significantly increased with each successive increase in level of irrigation. Considering the total productivity and economics, sugarcane + French bean (1: 2) with 100% RDF to sugarcane and 100% N and K to French bean and residue incorporation, could be adopted un- der similar agroecological situations with twice irrigation up to the period of French bean at 45 and 75 DAS and normal irrigation for sugarcane after harvest of French bean.

Effect of irrigation and cropping system on potato (Solanum tuberosum) grown sole or intercropped with French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil analysing low in N and medium in P and K during winter season of 2004-05 and 2005-06 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The treatments comprised 5 irrigation levels (irrigation at critical stages of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), irrigation at critical stages of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and irrigation at 0.8, 1.2 and 1.6 IW/CPE ratio) as main plots and 3 cropping sys- tems (sole potato, sole French bean and potato + French bean in 2:3 row ratio) replicated thrice in a split plot de- sign. Irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 1.6 produced the highest tuber yield followed by irrigation at 1.2 IW/CPE ratio, while the lowest tuber yield was achieved with irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio. Although the tuber yield with irrigation applied at critical growth stages (CGS) of potato was significantly lower than with IW/CPE ratio of 1.6, but the wa- ter use efficiency (WUE) with CGS of potato was higher. In French bean, both seed yield and WUE was higher with irrigation at CGS of French bean than that obtained with the irrigation at all the three IW/CPE ratios studied. Tuber yield of potato was higher in sole potato than when intercropped with French bean. Potato + French bean intercropping system recorded much higher B:C ratio (2.53) as against 1.54 with sole potato and 1.97 with sole French bean.

Effect of plant arrangement pattern and irrigation on efficiency of maize (Zea mays) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) intercropping system

A field study was conducted on an experimental field of the Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje- Belgrade (latitude: 44° 49′ N), Yugoslavia over a 3 year period (1994–1996). The objective of this study was to find the optimal spatial arrangement of a maize–beans intercrop in irrigated and rainfed farming systems.Plant arrangement patterns in an intercropping system did not significantly affect LAI values in maize compared with a sole crop, while irrigation had a greater positive influence on it. Leaf area values of beans were more sensitive to the same treatments. Microenvironmental conditions in maize–bean mixtures were more favourable for bean crop than for sole beans.An intercropping system had a greater influence on yield components of maize. Component combination 1/2[ratio ]1/2 (maize[ratio ]bean) was most effective in all yield components of maize. Intraspecific competition appears to be more intense than interspecific competition in both crops. Yield component of bean was more sensitive to water regime of the site than to planting pattern in an intercrop. Irrigation increased all yield components of bean (especially pod number). The intercropping system decreased harvest index in both crops compared with monocrops. Maximum total grain yield was in 1994 in irrigated maize–bean intercrop 1/2[ratio ]1/2, with highest efficiency being in an intercrop in irrigation in 1995. The Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), based on grain yield, was consistently greater than 1·0 in an irrigation water regime in 1995. Proportion of maize[ratio ]bean = 1/2[ratio ]1/2 gave the highest increase of yield (LER = 1·54). Under conditions of chernozem soil type in Zemun Polje, with often-expressed dry periods, irrigation is a very important measure for increasing maize–beans intercrop productivity.

Interspecific complementary and competitive interactions between intercropped maize and faba bean

Interspecific complementary and competitive interactions between maize (Zea mays L. cv. Zhongdan No. 2) and faba bean (Vicia faba L. cv. Linxia Dacaidou) in maize/faba bean intercropping systems were assessed in two field experiments in Gansu province, northwestern China, plus a microplot experiment in one treatment of one of the field experiments in which root system partitions were used to determine interspecific root interactions. Intercropping effects were detected, with land equivalent ratio values of 1.21–1.23 based on total (grain+straw) yield and 1.13–1.34 based on grain yield. When two rows of maize were intercropped with two rows of faba bean, both total yield and grain yield of both crop species were significantly higher than those of sole maize and faba bean on an equivalent area basis. When two rows of pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Beijing No. 5) were intercropped with two rows of faba bean, neither total yield nor grain yield of faba bean was higher than of sole faba bean on an equivalent area basis. Interspecific competition between maize and faba bean was relatively weak, with mean relative crowding coefficients of 0.99–1.02 for maize and 1.55–1.59 for faba bean. The microplot experiment in which partitions were placed between root systems showed a significant positive yield effect on maize when the root systems intermingled freely (no partition) or partly (400 mesh nylon net partition) compared with no interspecific root interaction (plastic sheet partition).

Banana and Bean Intercropping: Factors Affecting Bean Yield and Land Use Efficiency

SummaryBeans and bananas were grown in sole crop and intercrop systems for three seasons in 1989 and 1990 to determine the effects of cropping system on diseases, insects and land-use efficiency and the roles of certain bean plant physiological traits on bean yield in the two systems.Bean yield in the intercrop system was 52% of bean sole crop yield. Shading reduced yield, but stem starch levels, chlorophyll content and the chlorophyll a:b ratio were not related to seed yield in either system. Leaf area index was linearly related to yield in the intercrop system, suggesting that a higher plant density may result in higher yields. Nutrient concentration levels in the foliar tissues indicated that low potassium and high manganese availability constrained intercrop bean yield. Leaf manganese levels were higher in beans grown under bananas, reaching levels normally considered toxic for beans. Competition for other nutrients did not appear to affect bean yield. Apparently, interspecies competition for soil moisture did not much reduce bean yields as moisture levels did not differ with cropping system. Disease and insect pest levels were similar for the two bean production systems.Banana yields were associated with potassium levels in the soil. Bananas appeared to be more competitive than beans in the intercrop system. The land equivalent ratio of the banana and bean intercropping system over the three seasons was 1.60.