Intercropping Research Articles

Methods of presenting intercropping results and preliminary results with Zea mays and Phaseolus vulgaris

Replacement intercropping trials with maize and dry beans were conducted to provide information which could lead to a cropping strategy that would reduce the risk of rainfed crop production in the Ciskei. Attention is focused on the problem of analysing intercropping experiments. It was concluded that more than one method of analysis was necessary. The gross yields obtained as well as the competition effects in terms of the proportion harvested rather than the proportions sown must be examined. Replacement intercropping of maize and beans does not appear to provide a strategy for reducing the risk of rainfed cropping in Ciskei.

Evaluation of the Shade Tolerance of Moth Bean (Vigna aconitifolia) and Two Tropical Legume Species

This study aimed to evaluate the shading tolerance ability in moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) in two experiments. In experiment 1, moth bean, Centrosema pascuorum cv. Cavalcade and Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Tha pra (Tha pra stylo) were grown under different sunlight shading levels by covering these plots with a black net. In Experiment 2, moth bean was intercropped with sunflower (Helianthus annuus) synthetic variety (Suranaree (S) 471). Both experiments were conducted in a field trial from May to August in 2011 at Agricultural Practice Farm of Faculty of Animal Science and Agricultural Technology, Silpakorn University, Phetchaburi Information Technology Campus, Phetchaburi, Thailand. In Experiment 1, the results showed that shading reduced almost all plant growth characteristics, except plant height. All of legume species had possessed different tolerant capacity to shading, but these plants were dead at 90% of the shading level. In Experiment 2, the agronomic traits of sunflower were not affected by intercropping with moth bean. Fresh and dry weight per plant of moth bean intercropping with sunflower was decreased, comparing with those of a moth bean monoculture. However, there was no significant difference in crude protein content of moth bean between monoculture and intercropping with sunflower. Key Words: Vigna; Moth bean; Shading; Intercropping; Forage crop

Intercropping of Maçã and Prata Zulu banana cultivars for the cultural management of black Sigatoka

In this study, we assessed the effect of intercrop planting of Maca and Prata Zulu banana cultivars in the reduction of black Sigatoka severity and in the productivity of the Maca cultivar. The treatments used were a combination of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% of plants of the Maca cultivar distributed in plots with 95, 90, 85, 80 and 75% of plants of the Prata Zulu cultivar. Four months after planting, 20 leaves infected with black Sigatoka were distributed at each plot of 200 plants as a source of inoculum. The plots were separated by strips of secondary forest approximately 20 m wide and 15 m high. Each plot was divided in four subplots. Severity evaluation was performed in leaf number 10 during the flowering period. The number of viable leaves and the weight of production (bunches, hands and fruits) were also assessed. The statistical analyses did not show differences between the treatments used. Intercrop planting was not effective in reducing the severity of black Sigatoka in the Maca cultivar and the yield was similar to that observed in monocultures. RESUMO: Avaliou-se o efeito do plantio intercalado da cultivar Maca com a cultivar Prata Zulu na reducao da severidade da doenca sigatoka-negra e na producao da cultivar Maca. Os tratamentos consistiram do plantio de 5, 10, 15, 20 e 25% de plantas da cultivar Maca, distribuidas dentro de talhoes com 95, 90, 85, 80 e 75% de plantas da cultivar Prata Zulu, respectivamente, perfazendo um total de 200 plantas por talhao. Quando as plantas atingiram quatro meses de idade, em cada talhao foram distribuidas 20 folhas com sigatoka-negra, como fonte de inoculo. Os talhoes foram separados por uma faixa de floresta secundaria com cerca de 20 m de largura e 15 m de altura. Cada talhao foi dividido em quatro parcelas. No florescimento, registraram-se, na cultivar Maca, a severidade da sigatoka-negra na folha numero 10 e o numero de folhas viaveis, registrando-se tambem, na colheita, o peso dos cachos, das pencas e dos frutos. As analises indicam que todos os tratamentos foram iguais entre si. O plantio intercalado nao reduziu a severidade da doenca e a producao foi semelhante as registradas em monoculturas com a cultivar Maca. Intercropping of Maca and Prata Zulu banana cultivars for the cultural management of black Sigatoka Plantio intercalado das cultivares de bananeira Maca e Prata Zulu no manejo cultural da Sigatoka-negra Luadir Gasparotto1* Jose Clerio Rezende Pereira1 Adonis Moreira2 1Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria – EMBRAPA, Embrapa Amazonia Ocidental, CP 319, 69010-970, Manaus, AM, Brasil 2Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria – EMBRAPA, Embrapa Soja, CP 231, 86001-970, Londrina, PR, Brasil Autor Correspondente: *E-mail: luadir.gasparotto@embrapa.br

Nitrogen topdressing on common bean cropped in winter-spring in three cropping systems.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen topdressing influence in common bean irrigated (winter-spring), in the first year of no tillage implementation. The experimental design was split-plot with three replications in randomized blocks. The plots were formed by three types of ground cover, corn-grain, corn-grain intercropped with Brachiaria ruziziensis and only B. ruziziensis . The subplots were formed by five doses of nitrogen topdressing (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1), using urea as nitrogen source. It was determined the dry mass of residue present as ground cover, the full flowering time, the leaf nitrogen content, the 100 grains mass, the grain yield, the processing income, the chemical soil properties and economic analysis of common bean grain yield. It was found the common bean grain productivity in succession to corn-grain was positively influenced by nitrogen fertilization, showing it is economically viable only when given 160 kg ha-1 of nitrogen and the intercropping corn-grain and B. ruziziensis use is the best option when the common bean is sown in succession.

Nitrogen fertilization on common bean after out-of-season maize intercropped with Urochloa brizantha and Urochloa ruziziensis

O feijoeiro comum e uma planta bastante exigente em nitrogenio (N), porem, sao escassas as informacoes sobre a necessidade da cultura por esse nutriente quando cultivada em sucessao ao milho consorciado com braquiarias. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da adubacao nitrogenada no feijoeiro cultivado no sistema plantio direto, em sucessao ao milho safrinha consorciado com Urochloa brizantha (Syn. Brachiaria bryzantha ) ou Urochloa ruziziensis (Syn. Brachiaria ruziziensis ) . O experimento foi realizado durante dois anos agricolas, em Latossolo Vermelho distroferrico. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repeticoes. As parcelas foram constituidas por dois tipos de palhadas precedentes ao cultivo do feijoeiro (milho + U. brizantha e milho + U. ruziziensis ) e as subparcelas por quatro doses de N (0, 35, 70 e 140 kg ha-1), utilizando como fonte o nitrato de amonio. A aplicacao de N melhorou a nutricao nitrogenada e aumenta o crescimento do feijoeiro cultivado em sucessao ao milho safrinha consorciado com U. brizantha ou U. ruziziensis , porem, pouco influenciou a produtividade de graos. A produtividade de graos do feijoeiro foi semelhante em sucessao ao milho consorciado com U. brizantha e U. ruziziensis .

EVALUATION OF WHEAT-CHICKPEA INTERCROPS AS INFLUENCED BY NITROGEN AND WEED MANAGEMENT

Wheat and chickpea are most important crops in dryland farming areas of Iran. Weeds have major impact on chickpea grain yield. This experiment was carrie d out to increase land use efficiency and weed suppression through intercropping in dryland agricu ltural research station-Sararood, Kermanshah, Iran during 2008-10. The experimental design layout was factorial split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plot s contained factorial plots of N fertilization with 3 levels (N1: no fertilization, N2: 60 kg.ha -1 urea for wheat and 20 kg.ha -1 for chickpea and N3: Nitragin as a biofertilizer + 30 kg.ha -1 urea for wheat and chickpea no urea); and weed con ditions with 2 levels (weed infested and weed free). The third factor as sub-pl ots arranged in main plots was cropping patterns wi th 10 levels (1: wheat Sole Crop (wh.SC), 2: chickpea Sol e Crop (ch.SC), 3: wh./ch. Mixed Intercropping (wh./ch.MIC) in 1:1 ratio, 4: wh./ch. MIC in 2:1 ra tio, Row Intercropping (RIC) 1row wh.:1row ch., 6: Strip Intercropping (SIC) 5wh.1ch.5wh.2ch, 7: SIC 7wh.:2ch., 8: SIC 2wh.:7ch., 9: SIC 9wh.:4ch. and 10: SIC 4wh.:9ch.). Weed and nitrogen factors didn’t have s ignificant effect on wheat yield and patterns numbe r 5, 8 and 10 produced highest wheat grain yield respect ively. Chickpea yield was significantly reduced by wheat when intercropped, but high Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) derived. Effect of weeds on chickpea Grain Yield (GY) was significant and GY in weed infested was nearly half of GY in weed free condition. LER in weed infested condition in both years was hi gher than weed free condition. Weed dry matter in f ive intercropping patterns clearly decreased as compare to chickpea sole crop. It is concluded that interc ropping can be used as a method to decrease the inputs of w heat and chickpea crops, especially for nitrogen fertilizing and weed control.

Long Term Assessment of the Agronomic and Economic Benefits of Cocoa Food Crop Intercropping in the Absence of Fertilizer Application

Aim: To investigate the long term benefit of intercropping cocoa with some food crops with no fertilizer input. Study design: Randomized complete block design with four replicates. Place and Duration of Study: Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana Substation at Bunso, between June 1998 and March 2011. Methodology: Plantain, cassava and maize were planted alone or as mixtures to give the following intercrop combinations: sole crop cocoa, cocoa/plantain, cocoa/cassava, cocoa/maize, cocoa/cassava/plantain, cocoa/cassava/maize, cocoa/plantain/maize and cocoa/plantain/cassava/maize. The girth and height of cocoa seedling, the yield of the food crops and cocoa, some physic-chemical properties of the soil and the profitability of the various combinations were assessed using analysis of variance. Percentage canopy development of cocoa under the various treatments was analyzed after square root transformation of the data. Results: Intercropping significantly (P<0.05) reduced the girth of cocoa seedlings in the cocoa/plantain combination only in the second year. The height of cocoa plant was not significantly influenced by the treatments. The cocoa/plantain/cassava/maize combination had the lowest but non-significant levels of N, P and K in the soil at the end of three years of food crop intercropping. Between 2001 and 2011, although the amount of harvested cocoa was not significantly affected by the treatments, cocoa beans from the intercrops was 28-60% more than the sole crop cocoa except in the case of the cocoa/cassava combination where there was a slight decrease in yield. Economic analysis of the treatments showed that intercropping was profitable. Higher net benefits were achieved Research Article

Challenges of weeding operation in intercropping and mixed cropping systems in Nigeria

A literature study was undertaken on the challenges of weeding operation in intercropping and mixed cropping systems in Nigeria. Nigeria intercrops required 29% more labour input during the peak weeding period than did sole crops. Suppression of weeds in intercropping may have a benefi cial effect on crop yield and are useful in improved farming systems. The practice of growing several crops on the same piece of land is an ancient strategy for crop production among farmers in the tropics. Mixed cropping is to meet the desire of the farmer to minimize risk. This system offers the farmers insurance against total crop failure, It helps to control soil erosion and weeds, and it brings about a more even distribution of farm labour than in sole cropping. It has also been shown that diverse plant communities are more resistant to environmental stresses such as drought. Weeding is the most taxing job, both in energy and time, and traditionally, it involves bending down and working carefully not to damage the crop and at the same time, the operation must fi nished before weeds outgrow the crops. Weeding is conducted by pulling out the weeds and shaking them off. The paper highlights the challenges of application of a rotary mechanical weeding device in control of weed in intercropping farming systems and sparsely application of herbicide in traditional mixed cropping systems. The merit of mixed cropping system was identifi ed to indicate that the diverse crop species grown together to complement one another by using resources in different ways, scarce labour is effi ciently utilized, weeds and insects are suppressed, erosion is controlled and there is sequential harvesting and the risk of total crop loss is averted.

Inter-cropped perennial legumes in commercial eucalyptus spp. plantations enhance soil quality

Area planted with Eucalyptus spp. in Uruguay has largely increased in the last fi fteen years, mainly through afforestation of grasslands. Such changes in land use are known to affect soil properties, including increased soil acidity and exchangeable aluminum, decreased organic carbon content and water retention capacity, as well as changes in soil enzyme activities. The low mineralization rate of tree litter due to its high C:N ratio is suggested to be in the base of changes in soil properties. Our assumption was that the 2-year period between Eucalyptus grandis plantation and tree canopy closure allows the commercial forest to benefi t from the inclusion of an inter-cropped perennial legume. The aim of this research was to test if inter-cropping an adapted (native) legume can supply nitrogen from the atmosphere to the system, contributing to soil conservation through enhanced soil microbial activity and nutrient cycling, while improving tree growth. A fi eld experiment was carried out in a commercial forest area to assess the effects of perennial Desmanthus species ( virgatus , illinoensis and bicornutus ) intercropped between tree rows on soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activities (soil quality indicators); legume shoot dry matter and total nitrogen content; and tree diameter at breast height. Enhanced soil microbial biomass, soil respiration and hydrogenase activities were associated to legume inclusion. Both D. illinoensis and D. virgatus contributed comparable amounts of nitrogen to the system when inoculated with effective rhizobia. Tree diameter 12 months after planting was 6.5 cm in average when Desmanthus spp. were intercropped and 5.6 cm when trees grew without the legume. The results indicate a direct and positive effect of intercropped legumes in Eucalyptus plantations on soil quality and early tree growth. An increase in soil microbial activities may lead to enhanced nutrient biogeochemical cycles, increased soil fertility and improved agroecosystem sustainability.

Economic analysis of soil fertility restoration options in potato - bean of gardening intercropping in South - rift, Kenya

Soil fertility management options to restore soil fertility depletion have been developed and these consist of inorganic and organic fertilizer applications. However, the adoption rates by smallholder farmers for these soil fertility management options are negligible. The overall aim of this study was to evaluate side-by-side economic aspects of different soil fertility improvement options, which have been tested in the region. Field experiments were carried out to evaluate soil fertility management options on potato-bean production in five districts in south-rift, Kenya (Narok, Bomet, Bureti, Kericho and Konoin). It appeared that application of organic residues is a more feasible and sustainable alternative to the recommended fertilizers. However, for long term yield improvement, fertilization with these recommended fertilizers would only be profitable if applied seasonally. Key words: Fertility depletion, restoration option, economics.

Effects of intercropping of garlic or lettuce with Chinese cabbage on the development of larvae and pupae of diamondback moth ( Plutella xylostella )

The effects of intercropping on the growth and development of the diamondback moth (DBM),Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), were investigated over five generations in a laboratory in Fuzhou, China. The treatments included intercropping Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis) with garlic (Allium sativum) (CG) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) (CL), and the monoculture of Chinese cabbage as control (CK). The larval stage was significantly longer for the intercropping treatments compared to CK. Intercropping affected pupal weight but not the percentage of successful larvae population. Pupae tended to be 10 to 15% larger in the intercropping treatments for three of the five generations. The increase in size, pupa mortality was significantly higher with intercropping. Our findings suggest that intercropping can suppress the DBM populations in a long period rather than in a short term. Key words: Plutella xylostella intercropping, diamondback moth, larval development, pupal mortality.

The Influence of Preceding Crops and Intercropping Maize with Cowpea on Productivity and Associated Weeds

The Influence of Preceding Crops and Intercropping Maize with Cowpea on Productivity and Associated Weeds

Effect of tillage managements, sowing depth and soil-covering on the seedlings quality of mechanical sowing wheat under intercropping condition

Effect of tillage managements, sowing depth and soil-covering on the seedlings quality of mechanical sowing wheat under intercropping condition

Effect of Salinity in LER Values under Two Crop Systems and two Kind Intercrops

In order to study the effect of salinity on the LER (Land Equivalent Ratio) median values of intercropping and solo-cropping cultivation, an experiment was set up at West Greece. The experiment was composed by two factors. The first and the main one was the crop system (organic, conventional) and the second one was the salinity (low/high level). The salinity occurred negatively in the corn-bean intercropping system as well as in the corn-cowpea intercropping system. Higher dry matter values were observed in the conventional system as well as in the low salinity level. As concerning the crop system the highest LER values were observed in the conventional system rather than the organic one. It is worth mentioning that the highest LER value was observed in the corn-cowpea system rather than in the corn-bean system. It must, also, be mentioned that high salinity level affected the bean crops much more than the cowpea crop in both solo and intercrop systems.

Eficiência do uso da água das culturas do milho e do feijão-caupi sob sistemas de plantio exclusivo e consorciado no semiárido brasileiro

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a resposta produtiva, a eficiência do uso de água e a viabilidade econômica de cultivos de milho e de feijão-caupi em sistemas de plantio exclusivo e consorciado na região semiárida do Nordeste brasileiro. O experimento foi desenvolvido no município de Petrolina (PE). As culturas, nos diferentes sistemas de plantio (exclusivo e consorciado), foram submetidas a cinco lâminas de irrigação, aplicadas logo após o pendoamento no milho e na fase de floração do feijão-caupi aos 40 dias depois da semeadura. Combinando as configurações de sistema de cultivo e as diferentes lâminas de irrigação, as culturas do milho e do feijão-caupi foram submetidas a 15 tratamentos distintos. Para avaliar o desempenho das culturas nos diferentes tratamentos foram utilizados indicadores que consideram a resposta produtiva da cultura e o desempenho de aplicação de água no sistema de produção. Estes foram calculados por meio de dados de rendimento total, da relação entre os preços da produção comercial de grãos e da lâmina de água aplicada ao sistema. A produtividade de grãos das culturas do milho e feijão-caupi em resposta à disponibilidade hídrica no solo foi menor no plantio consorciado, em relação ao plantio exclusivo. Mesmo assim, em termos econômicos a adoção do consórcio foi mais vantajosa.

Effects of tillage managements, sowing depth and soil-covering on population quality and yield of mechanical sowing wheat under relay intercropping condition

Effects of tillage managements, sowing depth and soil-covering on population quality and yield of mechanical sowing wheat under relay intercropping condition

Growth and yield of cassava as influenced by grain cowpea population density in Southeastern Nigeria

The use of some leguminous crops for soil fertility improvement is being promoted for root and tuber crops production in Nigeria. Cowpea has a lot of advantages and is more compatible with cassava than other legumes. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) was intercropped with cassava (NR 8082 at 10,000 plants per hectare) at four plant densities (20,000; 40,000; 60,000 and 80,000 plants per hectare) in 2004 and 2005 planting seasons at the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) research farm in Umudike (07° 33 ‘ E, 05° 29 ‘ N), Southeastern Nigeria. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The leaf area index (LAI) of cassava was highest with the highest cowpea planting density in 2005, but not in 2004 planting year. Similarly, maximum fresh root yield (t/ha) of cassava was influenced by population density in 2005, but not in 2004 planting year. Cassava root yield was highest with the cowpea planting density of 80,000 plants/ha. Cowpea variety IT93K- 452-1 at a population density of 80, 000 plants/ha is recommended for increased soil fertility for cassava production in the Southeastern Nigeria. Key words: Cowpea, LAI, cassava, plant density, yield.

Effects of plant density of intercropped soybean with tall sorghum on competitive ability of soybean and economic yield at Otobi, Benue State, Nigeria

Field experiment was conducted for three years to evaluate the influence of plant population density of intercropped soybean with sorghum on its competitive ability and economic yield at Otobi, Benue State, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot with three replications. The main plot treatment comprised of cropping systems with two levels (sole cropping, intercropping), while the sub-plot treatment was soybean variety at three levels (TGX 536-O2D, Samsoy 2, TGX 923-2E) and the sub-sub-plot treatment was plant population density of soybean at three levels (200,000 plants/ha; 333,000 plants/ha and 400,000 plants/ha). Planting intercropped soybean at 333,000 plants/ha gave significantly higher seed yield than planting at 400,000 plants/ha, which in turn had greater seed yield than planting at 200,000 plants/ha during the three years of experimentation. Increased density of soybean beyond 333,000 plants/ha in the intercrop reduced sorghum yield. The results showed that all the intercrop combinations had land equivalent ratio (LER) and area- time equivalency ratio( ATER) above unity (1.63 - 1.97) and (1.41 - 1.47),respectively, under all the densities of soybean tested, suggesting a considerable benefit for intercropping soybean with sorghum. LER figures decreased with increase in soybean density. ATER was highest at 333.000 plants/ha, suggesting higher productivity at this density. Aggressivity values were consistently negative at 200,000 plants/ha with a mean value of -0.25 and it was inconsistent at 333,000plants/ha and 400,000 plants/ha. The competitive ratio of soybean increased (0.76 - 1.15) with increasing density of the soybean in the intercrop combinations, indicating higher competitiveness at higher densities than the sorghum component. The competitive ratio of sorghum had the opposite response (1.23 - 0.76). Relative crowding coefficient (K) was inconsistent at all densities, while land equivalent coefficient (LEC) was above 0.25 indicating intercrop advantages for all combinations. ‘Soybean yield equivalent’ was also highest at 333,000 plants/ha (1.70) implying general suitability of soybean to intercropping at this density. Dominance analysis revealed that sole crop treatments were dominated. Intercropped soybean planted at 333,000 plants/ha and 400,000 plants/ha gave significantly higher net benefits than those planted at 200,000 plants/ha. Marginal analysis showed that planting soybean at 333,000 plants/ha gave the highest marginal rate of return and this was 2825%.These results suggest that growing soybean under intercropping at Otobi is biologically efficient at 333,000 plants/ha and more profitable. Key words: Intercropped soybean, density, competition, Otobi.

Review on Maize Based Intercropping

Review on Maize Based Intercropping

Influence of component crop densities and planting patterns on maize production in dry land maize/cowpea intercropping systems.

An experiment was conducted to test the effect of four plant densities (10, 20, 30 and 40,000 plants ha-1) and four planting patterns (1rowM:1rowC, 1rowM:2rowsC, 2rowsM:2rowsC and 2rowsM:4rowsC) on the growth and dry matter production of a dryland maize/cowpea intercrop at three sites in Limpopo and North West province. The experiment was a split plot incorporated in randomized complete block design with four replications, where maize plant density was the main plot factor and subplot factor was the planting pattern. Sole maize flowered and reached physiological maturity later than intercropped maize, while sole cowpea flowered and matured earlier than under intercropping. Higher plant densities of 30 000 and 40 000 maize plants ha-1 delayed flowering and maturity of both component crops in sole and intercropped arrangements. Significant differences in maize and cowpea dry matter yields were observed at all trial sites. The 1rowM:2rowsC pattern and plant density of 30 000 plants ha-1 with 92 000 plants ha-1 of cowpeas was superior in maize dry matter production at all trial sites, whereas sole cowpea at 40 000 plants ha-1 gave the highest dry matter yield than the intercrop arrangements. The results of this study show that high plant density causes stress to plants and reduces plant growth, whereas intercropping has a negative influence on cowpea plant growth. Key words: Planting density, planting patterns, plant growth, maize/cowpea intercrop.