Pea Intercropping Research Articles

Influence of climate smart agriculture approach of barley and pea intercropping on yield, land equivalent ratio and profitability in the agro-climatic condition of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Influence of climate smart agriculture approach of barley and pea intercropping on yield, land equivalent ratio and profitability in the agro-climatic condition of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Biomass Partitioning, Carbon Storage, and Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Crop Production under a Grewia optiva-Based Agroforestry System in the Mid-Hills of the Northwestern Himalayas

A well-designed tree-based culture provides multiple benefits, aiding in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially SDG1 (no poverty), SDG2 (zero hunger), SDG13 (climate action), and SDG15 (life on land). A split-plot field experiment near Solan, Himachal Pradesh, tested the following Grewia optiva tree spacings as main plots: S1 10 m × 1 m, S2 10 m × 2 m, S3 10 m × 3 m, and sole cropping (S0—Open) of pea (Pisum sativum L.). Pea cultivation included the following six fertilizer treatments as subplots: control (no application), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), Jeevamrut, FYM + VC, and the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDFs), each replicated three times. The results indicated that the leaves, branches, total biomass, carbon density, and carbon sequestration rate of G. optiva alleys at 10 m × 1 m were greater than those at the other spacings. However, peas intercropped at 10 m × 3 m produced the highest yield (5.72 t ha−1). Compared with monocropping, G. optiva-based agroforestry significantly improved soil properties. Among fertilizers, FYM had the highest yield (6.04 t ha−1) and improved soil health. The most lucrative practice was the use of peas under a 10 m × 1 m spacing with FYM, with economic gains of 2046.1 USD ha−1. This study suggests integrating pea intercropping with G. optiva at broader spacing (10 m × 3 m) and using FYM for optimal carbon sequestration, soil health, and economic returns, and this approach is recommended for the region’s agroecosystems.

Do rotations and intercrops matter? Opportunities for intensification and diversification of maize-based cropping systems in Zambia

ContextRealizing the double-edged goals of food security and crop diversification require knowledge of crop yield response to different agricultural practices and the extent to which such response is context dependent. This is particularly important in Southern Africa where cropping systems are dominated by maize and smallholders use few external inputs. ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the performance of cropping systems with different levels of legume diversification and intensification on maize productivity across the main agroecological zones and farming systems of Zambia, and (2) to establish the minimum land required to reach maize self-sufficiency at household level with the different cropping systems tested. MethodsSix maize-based cropping systems, comprising maize monocropping, maize-legume rotations and intercrops under ‘conventional’ tillage and conservation agriculture, were evaluated across 40 farms in contrasting agro-ecological zones and farming systems of Zambia. A household survey was conducted in the same communities hosting the on-farm trials to quantify the share of households with enough maize cultivated area to benefit from the tested cropping systems. ResultsMaize yield measured in the on-farm trials ranged, on average, between 3.6 and 5.4 t ha−1, which was greater than mean maize yields reported by farmers not hosting on-farm trials during the same growing seasons and in the same sites. Our results showed a clear positive effect of legume rotation on maize yield in Eastern province only, where cropping systems including groundnut as rotation crop yielded between 1.0 and 2.0 t ha−1 more maize than other cropping systems. Pigeon pea intercrops and Gliricidia hedgerows, crop residue management, and tillage practice had no significant effect on maize yield in any of the provinces. Finally, nearly 35, 50, and 70% of surveyed farms in Northern, Eastern, and Southern province would have enough land to achieve the same level of maize production obtained on their farm with the yields, and associated area requirements, of the maize-legume rotations tested in the on-farm trials. ConclusionLegume rotations can increase maize productivity on land abundant farms in high potential maize production areas of Southern Africa, whereas legume intercrops have benefits at cropping systems level and should be targeted to land constrained farms. SignificanceThe study contributes to better understand the niche for diversified maize-based cropping systems with legume rotations and intercrops in Southern Africa, along with their impacts on maize productivity at the field level and their land requirements at the farm level.

Camelina Intercropping with Pulses a Sustainable Approach for Land Competition between Food and Non-Food Crops

With increasing global attention toward the need for mitigating climate change, the transition to sustainable energy sources has become an essential priority. Introducing alternative oilseed crops, such as camelina (Camelina sativa L.), into intercropping systems with staple food crops can mitigate ILUC (indirect land use change) and their negative impact on biofuel production. The present study compared camelina + field pea intercropping (ICw + IP, winter sowing) and camelina + lentil intercropping (ICs + IL, spring sowing) with their respective single crops regarding weed control, soil coverage, yields, and camelina seed quality (1000-seed weight, oil, and fatty acid composition). The comparison between different cropping systems was conducted using a one-way ANOVA. Both intercropping improved weed control at an early stage but no differences in soil coverage were found. Camelina seed yield was negatively affected by the presence of peas, whereas the pulse was unaffected. Conversely, camelina seed yield was not affected when intercropped with lentils while lentils reduced their yield in the intercropping. Furthermore, when camelina was intercropped with lentils, a significant increase was reported in 1000-seed weight and α -linolenic acid (C18:3) compared with the sole-camelina. However, both intercropping systems had a land equivalent ratio (LER, based on total seed yield at maturity) higher than one. Defining the best combination of crops and the optimal sowing and harvesting settings remain key to increasing the adoption of intercropping systems by farmers.

Correction: Fernandes et al. Sustainable Production of Maize with Grass and Pigeon Pea Intercropping. Agriculture 2023, 13, 1246

In the original publication [...]

Response of the rhizosphere soil microbial diversity to different nitrogen and phosphorus application rates in a hulless barley and pea mixed-cropping system

The mixed-cropping mode of hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L) and peas (Pisum sativum L) can optimize the planting system, effectively enhancing crop nitrogen and phosphorus utilization and increasing yield. This mode has been widely applied in Qinghai Province, China. In this study, a split-plot experimental design was employed to investigate the bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of monocropping and mixed-cropping treatments under different fertilization levels. The Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology was used for the research, and the physicochemical properties of the soil were measured. The results indicated that with the increase in the application of nitrogen and phosphorus, the bacterial α-diversity in the rhizosphere of the mixed-cropping system initially increased and then decreased after reaching a peak. The α-diversity index of soil bacteria was higher under the mixed-cropping mode than under the monocropping mode. For the rhizosphere soil fungi in the mixed-cropping system, the Shannon index initially increased and then decreased, while the Chao1 and ACE indices decreased initially and then increased. Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium, Sphingomonas, and Pseudomonas comprised the predominant bacterial genera in the rhizosphere soil of the hulless barley–pea intercropping treatment, whereas Fusarium, Metarhizium, and Cladosporium dominated among the fungal genera across the 12 treatments. Under the same fertilization levels, the relative abundances of Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium in the rhizosphere soil of the mixed-cropping treatment increased by 8.4 %, 7.1 %, 5.7 %, and 5.6 %, respectively, compared to the monoculture of hulless barley, with a decreasing trend as nitrogen and phosphorus levels increased. Compared to the monoculture of hulless barley, the relative abundance of Fusarium in the mixed-cropping treatment decreased by 37.3 %, 43.8 %, 56.8 %, and 40.3 %, respectively. Redundancy and correlation analyses suggested that the variation in bacterial and fungal diversity and community composition in the mixed-cropping zone due to the interaction between hulless barley and peas under different nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application levels was significantly correlated with changes in soil organic matter, available phosphorus, and alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen.

Effect of intercropping on potato bacterial wilt disease and tuber yield in Kenya

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a major tuber crop in Kenya, whose productivity is heavily impaired by bacterial wilt disease, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith). Existing management strategies have not been effective, owing to the diversity and robustness of the pathogen and variation in the host range. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intercropping on the incidence of bacterial wilt and yield of potato in Kenya. A field experiment was conducted in four potato-growing counties, namely; Nyandarua, Nakuru, Bomet and Bungoma in Kenya. Treatments included intercroping with spring onion (Allium fistulosum L.); garden pea (Pisum sativum L.); and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.). Treatments also included a pure stand of potato as the control. Generally, intercropping had a significant suppressive effect (P<0.05) on the incidence and severity of bacterial wilt disease. Intercropping potato with spring onion, in particular, had the highest disease suppressive effect, followed by intercropping potato with cabbage; and lastly by potato with garden pea. Accordingly, potato-onion intercrop recorded the highest potato tuber yield (12.9 t ha-1), while the potato pure stand recorded the lowest tuber yield (7.9 t ha-1). Bacterial wilt disease incidence positively correlated with disease severity (r = 0.931; P<0.05). In contrast, the disease incidence and severity negatively correlated with tuber yield. In terms of Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), the highest value (1.64) was with potato-onion intercrop; and the lowest (1.35) with the potato-garden pea intercrop.

Cassava-legume intercropping is more beneficial in low-input systems: A meta-analysis

Cassava-legume intercropping is widely practiced throughout the tropics. This meta-analysis analyzed the results of 55 publications from 1979 to 2021 containing 501 cassava-legume intercropping treatments to determine the average yield benefit of the practice and to identify management practices that modulate the effect of intercropping. Overall, cassava-legume intercropping was found to be beneficial in terms of land equivalent ratio (mean LER = 1.557), particularly combinations with peanut, cowpea, or soybean. In contrast, cassava-pigeon pea intercropping was not beneficial and produced LER values below 1. The yield benefit of intercropping was significantly lower in fertilized and irrigated systems (LER = 1.131) than in unfertilized rainfed systems (LER = 1.587), likely due to increased competition from cassava that received fertilizer and irrigation. These results support the stress gradient hypothesis and underline the need for management practices and improved varieties specifically optimized for cassava-legume intercropping.

Soil phosphorus availability mediates facilitation dynamic in maize-grass pea intercropping system

The intercropping-led diversified tillage is crucial for sustainable development in dryland agriculture. However, the plant-plant interaction transition and its effects on soil physiochemical characteristics along soil phosphorus (P) levels are not clear. To address this issue, maize-grass pea intercropping system was used to investigate the variations in plant-plant facilitation along soil P gradients (low- to high-P) and their effects on rhizosphere soil N and P availability and microbial biomass. The data showed that total net effect (NE) was always positive, indicating facilitative effects of intercropping on total community productivity. Specifically, the relative yield (RY) for both species was greater than 0.5 in the P-deficient soils, representing mutually facilitated effects. Yet, under the P-sufficient condition, maize and grass pea acted as facilitated species and facilitator respectively. Rhizosphere phosphatase activity was significantly enhanced in the P-deficient soils, accordingly fostering P mineralization for higher P availability and N utilization. The contents of microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus (i.e., MBC, MBN and MBP) were evidently elevated in intercropping systems than those of monoculture. Also, global meta-analysis verified above phenomenon, showing that high P addition decreased facilitation intensity with type shift, regarding plant productivity, N and P utilization and vice versa. We confirmed a relatively full picture of P-driven facilitation intensity and type shift along stress gradients by field observation and meta-analysis. The findings provided a new insight of biodiversity in soil physiochemical traits and also revealed a critical mechanism affecting resource utilization in the P-limited soils.

Effect of rhizobium inoculation on rhizosphere phosphorous dynamics and fertilised phosphorous use efficiency in a maize–pigeon pea intercropping system in weathered tropical soil

AbstractIntroductionLow phosphorus (P) use efficiency (PUE) of fertiliser is a critical problem in sustainable crop production, especially in strongly weathered tropical soils with a high P‐fixation capacity. Both intercropping and rhizobium inoculation have shown to improve the P availability of rhizosphere soil, but the effect of a combined approach of using both intercropping and rhizobium inoculation is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of rhizobium inoculation on the soil–plant P dynamics and fertilised PUE under the intercropping system in strongly weathered tropical soil.Materials and MethodsWe conducted an 85‐day cultivation pot experiment with pigeon pea (PP) and maize using highly weathered tropical soil under eight treatments: monocropping (CS) or intercropping, with or without rhizobium (Bradyrhizobium elkanii USDA61) inoculation (−I, +I) and with or without P fertilisation (0P, 50P) (2 × 2 × 2 = 8 treatments). We evaluated the effects of intercropping and rhizobium inoculation on plant growth parameters, P dynamics of the rhizosphere and bulk soil using the Hedley P fractionation method, the amount of organic acid from plant roots as a plant P‐mobilising capacity, and fertilised PUE.ResultsTotal plant P uptake per pot was significantly increased by intercropping but not by combining intercropping and rhizobium inoculation, resulting in better fertilised PUE only in intercropping. The available inorganic P (Pi) and less labile Pi of the soil were higher in the rhizosphere than those in the bulk by intercropping under 50P and were similar in PP + I under 50 P. The amount of organic acid per pot under 50P increased with each treatment, that is, intercropping and rhizobium inoculation, but not with their combination.ConclusionThe intercropping system has a strong potential to improve PUE by stimulating the P‐mobilising capacity of intercropping plant roots, whereas rhizobium inoculation of the intercropping system did not improve PUE in this study.

Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L.) Based Intercropping System: A Review

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) is a tropical and subtropical leguminous crop it is rich in protein and has high nutrient content and India is the largest producer. Pigeon pea is grown in a sole cropping system as well as with intercropping system it is majorly intercropped with legumes, cereal, and oilseed crops. Intercropping depends upon the interaction of crop species and their management. Intercropping is done between different types of cereals, pulses, and oilseed crops. Some successful cereal and pulse intercropping systems like (mung bean + maize) where, a larger equivalent yield is obtained by seeding maize following four rows of mung beans than by closer spacing. Wheat is mostly intercropped with chickpea, mustard and barley but in irrigated conditions when wheat intercropped with mustard proved more profitable than wheat intercropped with chickpea. In the Mediterranean nation, common vetch (Vicia sativa) is popularly grown with cereals. When maize and cowpea were intercropped in southern Africa, the quantity of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium in the soil was enhanced. Maize and beans are popular in eastern Africa. However, there are many challenges while adopting intercropping for the survival of the plant. In intercropping of pigeon pea when two or more than crops are sown, they show a synergetic effect, and when it is treated with the biofertilizers like Rhizobium, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), it enhances the growth of the plant, fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, availability of phosphorus to the plant increases the uptake of other micro-nutrient to the plant and plant beneficial microbes. When dual inoculation of Rhizobium and AMF is done, chlorophyll content increases in the plant.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza changes plant facilitation patterns and increases resource use efficiency in intercropped annual plants

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a vital role in mediating rhizosphere interactions and plant growth, especially in resource-constrained soils. However, few studies have documented the effects of AMF on plant–plant interaction patterns and resource use efficiency along stress gradients. In this study, a growth environment-controlled experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of AMF inoculation on maize-grass pea intercropping along three phosphorus (P) and two water gradients. The data indicated that soil water and P availability determined the plant interspecific interaction pattern, and that interaction was strongly mediated by AMF inoculation. Grass pea and maize were mutually facilitated under low P and water conditions and transitioned to a new pattern, i.e., that maize was facilitated but grass pea was neutral role or facilitator with increasing resource availability. The facilitative effect was particularly significant under P- and water-deficient conditions. Moreover, the transition of the plant–plant interaction pattern was mechanically driven by improving rhizospheric phosphatase activities by 5.08–20.02 %, rhizospheric acidification and enhanced microbial activities under resource deficit conditions. Critically, AMF inoculation was observed to significantly improve rhizospheric soil P availability and microbial biomass (p < 0.05); however, it enhanced the complementary utilization of P and water and weakened interspecific competition under high-resource conditions. Therefore, AMF inoculation positively transformed the plant–plant interaction pattern along resource gradients for higher P, nitrogen and water use efficiency. This study validates the context-dependent interspecific interaction and the role of AMF in optimizing resource use in a nutrient-impoverished intercropping system.

Sustainable Production of Maize with Grass and Pigeon Pea Intercropping

This study aimed to assess the impact of intercropping pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan cv. Super N) with maize (Zea mays cv. AG 5055) and Paiaguás palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás) on grain yield, silage chemical composition, and post-harvest grazing forage. The experiment was conducted on the School Farm of Instituto Federal Goiano, Campus Iporá. The experiment treatments consisted of three cropping systems: pigeon pea and Paiaguás palisadegrass intercropping (PPPG), maize and Paiaguás palisadegrass intercropping (CPG), and maize, pigeon pea, and Paiaguás palisadegrass intercropping (CPPPG), respectively. It was observed after the fermentation process that the PPPG silage promoted the lowest values of forage mass (FM) and a reduction in the dry matter (DM) concentration. The PPPG silage showed higher values of crude protein (75.28 g kg−1 DM), while the CPPPG silage showed proportionately higher values of total digestible nutrients (616.11 g kg−1 DM). The intercropping did not affect the corn grain productivity, thus obtaining an average value of 4.78 Mg ha-1. After the silage harvest, during the dry season, a similar forage availability was obtained between the treatments (3.73 Mg ha−1). All three cultivation strategies produced abundant forage for grazing, showing that integrated intercropping systems can mitigate the seasonality in tropical forage production.

Intercropping of Pea and Kheshari as Vegetables and Fodder Crop with Dwarf Type Sunflower Variety

To find out the optimum row arrangement of pea and khesari as intercrop with sunflower for higher productivity and return, a field experiment of intercropping pea and khesari with sunflower was conducted in Oilseed Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur during rabi season of 2020-21 and 2021-22. Six treatments were T1= Sole sunflower, T2 = One row of gardenpea in between two normal rows of sunflower (50 cm x 25 cm), T3 = Two rows of gardenpea in between two normal rows of sunflower, T4 = One row of kheshari in between two normal rows of sunflower (50cm x 25cm), T5 = Two rows of kheshari in between two normal rows of sunflower &amp; T6= Broadcast kheshari in between two normal rows of sunflower. Although intercropping reduced sunflower yield but total productivity was increased due to addition of pea and khesari yield. Total productivity in terms of sunflower equivalent yield (SEY) (7.02 t ha-1 and 6.64 t ha-1 during 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively) was found to be highest from T3 (two rows of pea in between two normal rows of sunflower treatment while the lowest (1.80 t ha-1 and 1.72 t ha-1) in T1 (sole sunflower) for both the years. Highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) (4.0 and 3.80 in 1st and 2nd year respectively) was recorded in T2 treatment (one row of gardenpea in between two normal rows of sunflower) with highest gross margin (Tk. 263905 ha-1 and Tk. 244012 ha-1).&#x0D; Bangladesh Agron. J. 2022, 25(2): 83-87

Relative Importance of Barriers and Levers to Intercropping Systems Adoption: A Comparison of Farms and Co-Operatives

This paper focuses on the barriers and levers to the adoption of Wheat–Pea intercropping systems. More precisely, we define a hierarchy of the main barriers and levers to adoption using the Relative Importance Index (RII) method. This method allows comparison of incentives, negative (brakes) and positive (levers), for adoption at two levels of the value chain, i.e., the farmer and the co-operative level. For this comparison, we conducted two surveys: one on 71 Belgian farmers and the other on 19 French co-operatives. Our results show that the barriers of high importance for the farmers are both internal and external, while the co-operatives consider only internal barriers. That is, the farmers mainly focus on external (market access and public subsidies) and internal (lack of technical advice and extension, as well as collection and storage problems) obstacles to evaluate the intercropping system. For the co-operatives, the most important barriers are related to the sorting and storage of the mixture (internal barriers). Regarding levers, farmers and co-operatives converge on the importance of almost the same external levers, e.g., building new value chains through contracts and labeling, specific extension services for farmers and logistical support for co-operatives.

Long-term maize and pea intercropping improved subsoil carbon storage while reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Intercropping cereals with legumes is considered a promising option for improving productivity and sustaining soil health. However, the long-term effects of cereal and legume intercropping on soil carbon (C) storage and the physicochemical properties of soil profiles remain elusive. In the present study, an 11-year long-term field experiment was carried out on maize monoculture with zero (control) and conventional 375 kg ha−1 nitrogen (N) application rates (N375), as well as on pea and maize intercropping with zero N (Ps) and a 20% reduction in conventional N (PsN300). The crop yield was obtained each year. The cumulative changes in organic C, bulk density, and other physicochemical properties of the top 20 cm of soil at the beginning and end of the experiment, as well as their spatial changes along the 1 m soil profile at the end, were closely investigated. Greenhouse gas emissions were estimated based on reported emission factors. Pea and maize intercropping under reduced fertilizer N application maintained maize growth and grain yield and increased land use efficiency (land equivalent ratio 1.1) relative to monoculture with farmers’ N inputs. After an 11-year intercropping, soil organic C concentrations increased by 6.7–12.4% in the top 0–20 cm layer and organic C stocks increased by 8.3–17.9%, and bulk density decreased by 6.4–14.2%. Intercropped soils with optimal N application (PsN300) sequestrated 14.8% more organic C in the 0–100 cm soil profile, particularly at depths of 40 cm and below, and the bulk density decreased by 7.0% on average compared with the monoculture with farmers’ N practices. Such intercropping benefits for soil organic C storage and physical properties in the 1-m profile were associated with greater soil microbial biomass C and N and dissolved organic C and N in the profile. Meanwhile, compared to farmers’ N and monoculture, intercropping under reduced N fertilizer application substantially decreased nitrate residues by 30.8% and GHG emissions by 17.8% per hectare or by 15.4% per ton grain yield, which was attributed to less N input, and downregulated enzyme activities involved in soil denitrification. Overall, this study showed that intercropping peas and maize with reduced N inputs is an environmentally sound strategy that improves soil physical quality and enhances deep C storage while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Oat–Field Pea Intercropping for Sustainable Oat Production: Effect on Yield, Nutritive Value and Environmental Impact

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of Oat–field pea intercropping on the yield, nutritive value, and environmental impact of oat grown under a reduced level of nitrogen fertilisation. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with the following treatments: oat-0 (oat (Avena sativa L., SRCP X 80 Ab 2291 variety) without N fertilization (urea)), oat-23 (oat fertilised with 23 kg N/ha), oat-46 (oat fertilised with 46 kg N/ha), O1P1 (oat intercropped with field pea (Pisum sativum L., local variety) a ratio of 1:1), O1P2 (oat intercropped with field pea a ratio of 1:2), and O2P1 (oat intercropped with field pea at a ratio of 2:1). All of the experimental plots received standard husbandry practices except for nitrogen fertilisation. Soil pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and organic carbon were determined before and after planting. The effect of nitrogen fertilization and intercropping of oat with field pea on carbon footprint, acidification footprint, eutrophication footprint, and human toxicity footprint was calculated for each plot. Oat-0 significantly reduced the total nitrogen content of the soil, while there was no significant effect of the other treatments. O2P1 significantly out-yielded all control groups; however, it was not significantly different from fertilisation treatments. Intercropping with field pea did not significantly increase the cost of production of dry matter, crude protein, or dry matter digestibility compared to control groups. Intercropping with field pea significantly reduced the carbon footprint, acidification, eutrophication, and human toxicity footprint compared to the control groups. Therefore, oat–field pea intercrops are recommended for the production of high-quality forage at low N input with reduced environmental impact.

Influence of wheat based intercropping system by irrigation scheduling under limited water conditions

An experiment was conducted during three consecutive years of Rabi (2011-12 to 2013-14) at Agricultural Research Station-Ummedganj, Agriculture University, Kota (Rajasthan) on wheat based intercropping system. The experiment consisted of ten treatment combinations viz., two irrigation regimes (IW/CPE ratio 0.4 and 0.6) and five intercropping system (wheat + gram (6:4), wheat + mustard (6:4), wheat + fenugreek (6:4), wheat + field pea (6:4) and sole wheat) were under taken in split plot design with four replications.It is evident from pooled data the maximum wheat equivalent yield (53.68 q/ha) was observed with irrigation regime at IW/CPE ratio 0.6 over application of IW/CPE ratio 0.4 (45.04 q/ha). Among intercropping, wheat + gram (6:4) intercropping system gave significantly higher wheat equivalent yield (58.50 q/ha) overwheat + mustard (6:4)(50.91 q/ha), wheat + fenugreek (6:4)(46.28 q/ha) and wheat + field pea (6:4)(46.08 q/ha) intercropping system as well as sole wheat (45.04 q/ha), respectively. Significantly higher water use efficiency (23.49kg/ha-cm) was recorded under wheat + gram (6:4) intercropping system over wheat + mustard (6:4), wheat + fenugreek (6:4) and wheat + field pea (6:4) intercropping system as well as sole wheat.The maximum net return (Rs.55810/- ha-1) and B:C ratio (3.6) was observed with irrigation regime at IW/CPE ratio 0.6 as compared to IW/CPE ratio 0.4. Among intercropping, wheat + gram (6:4) intercropping system gave significantly higher net return (Rs.62426/- ha-1) and B:C ratio (4.0) over wheat + mustard (6:4), wheat + fenugreek (6:4) and wheat + field pea (6:4) intercropping system as well as sole wheat.

Energy Efficiency of Oat:Pea Intercrops Affected by Sowing Ratio and Nitrogen Fertilization

This study analyzed energy input (direct and indirect), energy output, net-energy output, energy use efficiency, energy intensity, and the energy productivity of oat:pea intercrops as affected by sowing ratio (oat:pea (%:%): 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) and nitrogen (N) fertilization (0, 60, 120 kg N ha−1). The two year field experiment was conducted on a calcaric Chernozem soil in the north-western part of the Pannonian Basin. The results for grain yield showed that pure stands of oat and pea had a higher energy use efficiency and energy intensity than intercrops, indicating that pure stands used the growing factors more efficiently than intercrops. The energy use efficiency was higher in pure pea than pure oat. The energy productivity for the above-ground biomass production was much more affected by the factor N fertilization than by the factor sowing ratio. The highest energy productivity of grain N yield and above-ground biomass N yield was achieved in pure pea stands (0:100). N in plant residues of the zero N fertilization variant required 68% lower technical energy than N from mineral fertilizer. The sowing rate of the intercrops is a management tool to trade-off between the benefits of the in-field biodiversity and energy efficiency.

Intercropping for nutrient retention, profitability, and quality bulb production of garlic (Allium sativum L.) under eastern Himalayan foothills region

A two years experiment was laid out to evaluate the effect of intercropping system for soil nutrient retention, profitability, and quality of garlic. The result revealed that the association of garlic and garden pea system recorded maximum garlic equivalent yield (5.99 t/ha). Highest protein content of the bulb (5.20%) was recorded by the garlic + garden pea system and the maximum reducing sugar (2.08%) was found in the garlic + coriander system. Garlic + garden pea intercropping system recorded significant maximum soil nitrogen (123.52 kg/ha) and phosphorus content (50.37 kg/ha) whereas significant maximum soil potassium content (158.45 kg/ha) was recorded in sole coriander plots. However, production economics suggested garlic + garden pea intercropping system was the most remunerative with the highest net return and benefit-cost ratio (Rs. 1, 52,209.23, and 2.67), respectively.