Intercropped Sorghum Research Articles

Impact of Row Configuration and Biofertilizers on Yield and Quality of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) Intercropped with Cowpea in the Southern Laterites of Kerala, India

A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during December 2023 to April 2024 to assess the performance of sorghum in terms of yield and quality, when intercropped with cowpea at varying row configuration and biofertilizers. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD). The study comprised intercropping sorghum with cowpea, at three row ratios and four levels of biofertilizer application (r1 – 1:1 row ratio, r2 – 1:2 row ratio, r3 – 2:1 row ratio; b0 – No biofertilizer, b1 – AMF, b2 – Rhizobium and b3 – AMF + Rhizobium). The treatment r3 (2:1 row ratio) resulted in higher grain yield, grains per panicle, grain weight per panicle, and green stover yield of sorghum.19.4 per cent yield increase was observed in the treatment r3 than r2. Application of AMF and Rhizobium together (b3) resulted in more number of grains per panicle, grain weight, grain yield and green stover yield of sorghum. Sorghum grain yield was reduced in the absence of biofertilizer (b0). The treatment combination r2b1 (sorghum intercropped with cowpea in 1:2 ratio along with AMF) showed the highest crude protein content in sorghum grains. Iron and copper content were increased with the application of AMF (b1). However, application of AMF and Rhizobium (b3) together resulted in higher magnesium content in sorghum grains.

Molecular-based characterization and bioengineering of Sorghum bicolor to enhance iron deficiency tolerance in iron-limiting calcareous soils.

Plant biomass can significantly contribute to alternative energy sources. Sorghum bicolor is a promising plant for producing energy, but is susceptible to iron deficiency, which inhibits its cultivation in iron-limiting calcareous soils. The molecular basis for the susceptibility of sorghum to iron deficiency remains unclear. Here, we explored the sorghum genome to identify genes involved in iron uptake and translocation. Iron deficiency-responsive gene expression was comparable to that in other graminaceous plants. A nicotianamine synthase gene, SbNAS1, was induced in response to iron deficiency, and SbNAS1 showed enzyme activity. Sorghum secreted 2'-deoxymugineic acid and other phytosiderophores under iron deficiency, but their levels were relatively low. Intercropping of sorghum with barley or rice rescued iron deficiency symptoms of sorghum. To produce bioengineered sorghum with enhanced tolerance to iron deficiency, we introduced four cassettes into sorghum: 35S promoter-OsIRO2 for activation of iron acquisition-related gene expression, SbIRT1 promoter-Refre1/372 for enhanced ferric-chelate reductase activity, and barley IDS3, and HvNAS1 genomic fragments for enhanced production of phytosiderophores and nicotianamine. The resultant single sorghum line exhibited enhanced secretion of phytosiderophores, increased ferric-chelate reductase activity, and improved iron uptake and leaf greenness compared with non-transformants under iron-limiting conditions. Similar traits were also conferred to rice by introducing the four cassettes. Moreover, these rice lines showed similar or better tolerance in calcareous soils and increased grain iron accumulation compared with previous rice lines carrying two or three comparable cassettes. These results provide a molecular basis for the bioengineering of sorghum tolerant of low iron availability in calcareous soils.

Economic Advantage of Sorghum Based Intercropping System for Western Zone of Tamil Nadu, India

Sorghum is the fifth most important crop. Being a C4 crop, it can withstand adverse climatic conditions. It can be used for food, feed, fodder, and biofuel. Sorghum can perform better under future climatic conditions than other crops and can be a better option in the future that can ensure the food and nutritional security of the country. A sorghum-based intercropping system can be a great option to ensure sustainability by fetching additional income from legume crops without compromising the yield of sorghum. An experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University during the summer of 2021 to evaluate the economic benefits of a sorghum-based intercropping system. The treatment consists of T1-Sorghum Sole crop, T2-2rows of Sorghum+2rows of Cowpea, T3-2rows of Sorghum+1row of Cowpea, T4-2rows of Sorghum+2rows of Greengram, T5-2rows of Sorghum+1rows of Greengram, T6-2rows of Sorghum+2rows of Lablab, T7-2rows of Sorghum+1rows of Lablab. The economic benefits of the cropping system were evaluated by considering the yield, BCR, and LER. The yield of sorghum (3 t ha-1) planted under T7 was significantly higher than that of sole sorghum (T1). The net return from T7 (₹ 67872 ha-1) was higher than other treatments because of the additional income generated from the lablab (high market value at the time of harvest). The B:C ratio of the intercropping system was 2.7, whereas sole sorghum registered the lowest BCR of 1.9. The compatible performance of the intercropping system yielded a higher net return and BCR. Hence, intercropping of sorghum with legumes (especially lablab) is more productive and remunerative under a 2:1 pattern compared to sole cropping.

Morphophysiological indicators, phenophase and cutting time in an irrigated forage cactus–sorghum intercropping system under strategies of agricultural resilience and agriculture biosaline

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate growth and development in an irrigated forage cactus–sorghum intercropping system under different strategies for improving agricultural resilience. The research was carried out from 2018 to 2020 in Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil, in four experiments in a randomized block design, each with four replications. The first experiment consisted of different configurations for the cactus–sorghum intercropping system (Orelha de Elefante Mexicana [OEM]‐single crop [SNG], IPA Sertânia [IPA]‐SNG, Miúda [MIU]‐SNG, OEM–SF11, OEM–Progenitor 288 [P.288], OEM–467, IPA–SF11, IPA–P.288, IPA–467, MIU–SF11, MIU–P.288 and MIU–467); in the second and third experiments, the cactus–sorghum system was planted under different planting densities (100,000; 50,000; 33,333; 25,000 and 20,000 plants ha−1 for forage cactus and 200,000 plants ha−1 for sorghum) in east–west and north–south orientations, respectively; and the fourth experiment consisted of different planting densities for the cactus and sorghum (50,000; 40,000; 33,333; and 28,571 plants ha−1 and 200,000; 160,000; 133,333; and 114,285 plants ha−1, respectively). The maximum values of the dry matter accumulation rate were observed in the cultivation configurations that contained the OEM clone and at the highest densities. The different cultivation configurations affected the duration and number of phenophases. The cutting time increases as the planting density increases (50,000 and 100,000 plants ha−1) and when the OEM clone is used.

Efficiency of Desiccation, Decomposition and Release of Nutrients in the Biomass of Forage Plants of the Genus Brachiaria After Intercropping with Sorghum in Integrated Systems for Soybean Productivity

ABSTRACT The implementation of more sustainable soil management strategies, such as the use of cover crop for no-till system with crop rotation, can help increase nutrient use efficiency and consequently decrease the use of mineral fertilizers for agriculture. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the efficiency of desiccation, decomposition and release of nutrients in the biomass of forage plants of the genus Brachiaria after intercropping with sorghum in integrated systems for soybean productivity. The experiment was conducted in the field in two agricultural seasons in randomized block design with four repetitions. The treatments consisted of biomass obtained after sorghum intercropping with forage plants of the Brachiaria genus (Brachiaria ruziziensis, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés, Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás, Brachiaria cv. BRS Ipyporã), sorghum biomass in monoculture, which after cutting for grain production, remained fallow for one year and an additional soybean treatment without soil cover biomass. The results showed that Cropping systems on sorghum and forage biomass resulted in a 25.64% increase in soybean yields compared to soybeans grown without soil cover. The use of tropical forage as a cover crop in integrated systems proved to be an efficient technique for biomass production, in order to minimize the effect of water deficit during soybean development, and nutrient cycling, which resulted in the replacement of mineral potassium fertilization for the no-till soybean system, by making better use of soil nutrients and contributing to greater sustainability.

Sustainable intensification of sorghum-based cropping systems in semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa: The role of improved varieties, mineral fertilizer, and legume integration

ProblemSustainable intensification of cereal cropping systems can contribute to reducing food insecurity while mitigating biodiversity losses thanks to land sparing. Yet, intensifying crop production with more nutrient inputs often increases sensitivity to climate hazards and yields inter-annual variability. How different options for sustainable intensification interact and how they could help achieve greater and less variable yields is not well known for key cereal cropping systems of sub-Saharan Africa. ObjectiveHere, we aim to assess the impact on productivity and its interannual variation of three contrasted strategies of crop intensification, namely i) the integration of cowpea intercropped with sorghum or as sole crop, ii) improved varieties with high harvest index and greater nitrogen use efficiency, and iii) the use of more mineral fertilizer. MethodsWe did this assessment using a calibrated soil-crop model for a case study of sorghum-based cropping systems of semi-arid southern Mali, using a historical weather series from 1980 to 2010. ResultsWe found that the incremental combinations of two or three strategies helped increase productivity in terms of energy and protein. However, greater productivity went hand in hand with greater inter-annual variability. Intercropping sorghum with cowpea helped to reduce the inter-annual variability of productivity, but only when mineral fertilizer was not added. With mineral fertilizer input, sorghum contributed the largest share of the intercrop productivity, and sorghum yield was more variable from a year to another than cowpea yield. The overall productivity of intercropping sorghum with cowpea was always greater than having the two sole crops on separate plots. This was possible thanks to the facilitation of light, water and N acquisition by the two crops in the intercropping, regardless of the specificities of the growing season with regard to water and nitrogen stress. However, the variability of productivity was smaller for the cultivation of the two sole crops on separate plots, regardless of fertilizer input. ConclusionThe often-claimed benefit of intercropping on reducing the inter-annual variability of production does not hold when the three strategies are combined. ImplicationsOur results suggest that the integration of legumes does not help cushion farmers against the risk related to the intensification of cropping systems with more nutrients and improved seeds. Careful gross margin analysis that accounts for price variability and uncertainty would be required to refine this risk assessment for specific farm contexts. We discuss the implication of these findings in light of the current research agenda for the sustainable intensification of cropping systems in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sustainability of different cropping systems under varying sowing dates in Marathwada region

The field experiments were carried out at Instructional Farm, AICRP on Dry land Agriculture, Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani during the rainy season of 2001-2005 on eight different cropping systems consisting of important food, pulse and oilseed crops of Marathwada region under varied weather conditions. The resultsrevealed that intercropping of sorghum (CSH-9)+ pigeonpea, pear millet + pigeonpea and castor + soybean sown in 26 meteorological week (MW) produced the highest grain yield and average productivity of the system during all the years of experimentation as compared to rest of the cropping systems. Similarly, castor + soybean produced the highest sorghum grain equivalent which was at par with soybean + pigeonpea, Arborium cotton + soybean and cotton (NHH-44) + soybean. The sowing of all the crops and cropping systems on 26 MW recorded significantly highestsustainable yield index (0.52) as compared to sowing of all cropping systems on delayed sowing dates.

Hasil Benih dan Polong Segar Buncis (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) yang Dipanen dari Pertanaman Tumpangsari dengan Sorgum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) dan Monokultur

Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is generally cultivated in monoculture (sole cropping) by farmers in the highlands as main crops. Increasing land use efficiency (LUE) by inter-cropping sorghum on bean requires certain cultivation techniques so as not reducing the production of seeds or fresh fruit bean. This experiment aimed at determine 1) the yields of seeds and fresh pods harvested from the bean-sorghum intercropping compared to those from the sole cropping and 2) the LUE of the bean-sorghum intercropping. The research, which was conducted during April-September 2021 in Sekincau District, West Lampung Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia used dwarf beans Balitsa-2 variety and climbing bean Horti-3 variety, each of which to be intercropped with sorghum of Numbu variety. Five levels of cropping system treatment were arranged in a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with six groups as six replications. The results showed that there was no difference the seeds yield and fresh pods of bean between those harvested from bean-sorghum intercropping and from monocultures. The seed yield harvested from the dwarf bean-sorghum intercropping was higher, whereas those harvested from the climbing bean-sorghum intercropping was lower, respectively, compared to those harvested from the monoculture. In producing fresh pods, intercroppings of dwarf bean-sorghum and climbing bean-sorghum increased the LUE, respectively. Whereas in producing seeds, the dwarf bean-sorghum intercropping increased the LUE, but the climbing bean-sorghum intercropping decreased the LUE. Key words : bean, fresh pods, intercropping, seeds, sorghum

Comparative Evaluation of Different Natural Farming System and Its Impact on the Yield of Great Millet (Sorghum bicolor L.)

The most recent and popular trend of organic agriculture in Indian farming system is Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) that is derived from the traditional method of cultivation practices. ZBNF approach follow practices viz., Intercropping, green manure incorporation, crop rotation, composting and degradation of agro-wastes and biocontrol of pests and diseases. Field trial was conducted in two consecutive years, with seven treatment options in randomized block design for validation of different natural farming system such as ZBNF approach, Network Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) practices. Sorghum intercropping with cowpea (1:1) and ZBNF practices involving the application of traditional organic biostimulants derived from Gir cow (Desi breed) such as Bijamrith + Ghanajeevamrith + Jeevamrith with mulching (Acchadana)(T4) resulted in higher benefit cost ratio of 3.78 and closely followed by sorghum intercropping with cowpea (1:1) and ZBNF practices (Bijamrith + Ghanajeevamrith + Jeevamrith) (T3). Significantly higher grain yield of sorghum (2405 kg ha-1) was recorded in Integrated crop management (ICM-II) practices involving 50 % organic manures + 50 % inorganic fertilizers with need based traditional organic pesticides such as Neemastra, Agniastra, Brahmastra. The findings of the field level validation of ZBNF practices on yield of sorghum intercropping with cowpea suggest that there is an assured initial yield impact when converting to ZBNF compared to organic or conventional systems.

Cactus–sorghum intercropping combined with management interventions of planting density, row orientation and nitrogen fertilisation can optimise water use in dry regions

Some strategies can optimise the use of water in crops under deficit, either by increasing yield or by reducing actual crop evapotranspiration (ET), to promote the sustainable intensification of production systems. The objective was to evaluate how the spacing, planting orientation, nitrogen fertilisation and intercropping strategies impact the dynamics of water in the soil, ET partitioning, and water use indicators for forage cactus and cactus–sorghum intercropping. Four experiments were conducted between 2018 and 2020 in the Brazilian semi-arid region. In the first two sites (I and II), the cladodes of the intercropped forage cactus and sorghum were spaced at 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 and 0.50 m with rows-oriented east–west and north–south. In site III, the intercropped rows were spaced at 1.00, 1.25, 1.50 and 1.75 m. Site IV, which contained the forage cactus crop exclusively, was treated with four nitrogen levels (50, 150, 300 and 450 kg N ha−1). The management interventions improved water use more by increasing dry matter than by reducing ET in the cropping system. Intercropping promoted the greatest increase in water productivity (130 %). Increasing N doses in the forage cactus-only crop reduced ET by up to 39 % but increased deep drainage losses by up to 365 %. The most promising management practices for optimising water resources were as follows: spacing of 0.10 m between cactus plants in the intercropping trial under east–west row orientation, as it promoted greater water use efficiency (76 %); spacing of 0.30 m in the north–south orientation; and row spacing of 1.50 m, as it improved water productivity (6.89 kg m−3). Thus, interventions in management should be adopted to optimise water use in intercropping systems with forage cactus, aiming at sustainable intensification in dry environments.

Socio-economic traits and constraints associated with smallholder farmers in Taungya agroforestry program in Sudan

Empirical evidence of Taungya agroforestry program in Sudan was generated. The objectives were to examine the association between socio-economic characteristics of farmers and Tuangya practice, assess the program’s contribution to farmers' income, and highlight farmers’ major incentives and constraints. The purposive sampling technique was applied targeting 200 Taungya farmers. Data were collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, direct field observations, and document reviews. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and a paired sample t-test were used to analyze the data. Study results showed that 77% of farmers were male, with an average age of 41 years. About 77% of farmers cultivate an average land area of 3.5 hectares. The chi-square result showed that socio-economic characteristics such as marital status, age, family size, year of participation, and educational level had a significant association with Taungya practice, while gender, main occupation, and land size had no significant association. The study revealed that Taungya agroforestry program contributed significantly to farmers’ income. Evidence of that was the sharp reduction in mean annual costs from SDG 32,851.75 to SDG 25,107.50, and a substantial increase in the mean annual net incomes of the farmers from SDG 35,298.52 to SDG 91,839.50 before and after participation, respectively. Farmers’ participation was encouraged by the high productivity within the forest and access to free fertile land. Contrary, lack of extension services and supervision from Forest National Corporation, overgrazing and crop destruction, land size limitation, and crop species restrictions were identified as major challenges. The study suggests that prioritizing extension services, providing live fencing, and reconsidering farmers’ interest in having intercropping sorghum on their farms to improve their sustenance will overcome the constraints and further boost farmers' productivity.

Evaluation of growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.Walp) cultivars and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) with their competitive behavior in cowpea-sorghum intercropping.

The need to increase cowpea production to solve the menace of malnutrition is a global challenge and land limitations have also made intercropping indispensable. Field trials were carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Kwara State University, Malete, and National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) Idofian to evaluate the growth and yield of cowpea cultivars and sorghum with their competitive behavior in cowpea-sorghum intercropping. Five cultivars of cowpea (IITA-256, IITA-277, VITAL-5, IT98K-491-4, and IITA-288) were intercropped with sorghum. Sole crops were included in the treatments as a check. The treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated three times. Among the sole, vital-5 cultivar had the highest number of branches and pods per plant and more seeds per pod compared to other cultivars. The cultivar also recorded the highest grain yield 591.30 kg/ha and 530.00 kg/ha respectively, for Malete and NCAM at the sole. At the intercrop, IITA-288 significantly had the least number of branches per plant and took longer days to attain flowering compared to other cultivars. The lowest grain yield at the intercrop was also obtained with this cultivar. Sorghum intercropped with cowpea cultivar IITA-288 was at par with the sole sorghum in all the parameters. The least grain yield of sorghum at the intercrop was obtained in sorghum intercropping with IITA-256 cowpea cultivar. The maximum Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), and Land Equivalent Coefficient (LEC), was obtained with the Vital-5 cultivar. Regardless of location, the competitive ratio (CR) values for IITA-256, IITA-277, and Vital-5 cowpea cultivars were higher than sorghum. The aggressivisity, (A) for these cultivars were also positive for cowpea and negative for sorghum. Although, all the cowpea cultivars demonstrated intercropping advantages in efficient utilization of natural resources intercropping with the Vital-5 cowpea cultivar was superior and could be adopted by the farmer.

Interaction of Cropping Pattern and Fertility Treatments on Yield and Sustainability of Mixed Cropping System under Moisture Regime

The farmers in most regions of Pakistan are heavily reliant on traditional farming approaches all year round and tend to cultivate exhaustive crops like wheat, cotton, maize, and sugarcane in most areas of the country. Consistently adopting this system leads to depleting the soil fertility status, which they overcome by instigating an uneconomical way of using excessive chemical fertilizers to maximize crop yields. These fertilizers are truly acidic and adversely affect soil health. Adopting sustainable farming approaches by the incorporation of legumes into the farming system with an integrated nutrient supply restores soil fertility and maintains the sustainability of the agro-ecosystem. A field experiment was performed to determine the significance of the integrated source of nutrient management on the growth and yield of sole and mixed cultures of sorghum and mungbean crops in areas with moisture regimes. The fertility treatments applied to the sole and intercrops of sorghum and mung-bean in a given sequence; i) Control, ii) Compost @ 10 t/ha, iii) FYM @ 20 t/ha, iv) NP @ 40 kg N + 30 kg P2O5 ha-1, v) ½ of recommended Compost @ 5 t/ha + ½ of recommended NP @ 20 kg N & 15 kg P2O5 ha-1, vi) ½ of recommended FYM @ 10 t/ha + ½ of recommended NP @ 20 kg N & 15 kg P2O5 ha-1. The sole crop of mungbean gave a maximum grain yield of 2229.1 kg/ha over an intercrop of 1779.7 kg/ha. Similarly, the highest grain yield of 2779.8 kg/ha of sorghum was obtained in sole culture over its intercrop of 2150.9 kg/ha. The interaction effect of cropping pattern and fertility treatments showed that sorghum and mungbean gave significant results for growth and yield parameters where a combined dose of organic & mineral fertilizers were provided in comparison to the plots where these fertilizers were applied in split doses.

The use of alternative irrigation and cropping systems in forage production may alleviate the water scarcity in semi-arid regions.

Strategies to enhance the efficient use of irrigation water require a major shift in irrigation and cropping systems. It was hypothesized that (i) replacing water-demanding crops such as corn silage with more drought-tolerant forages species, (ii) adoption of intercropping instead of monoculture, and (iii) use of alternative irrigation methods, may alleviate the water shortage in semi-arid regions, while producing high-quality forage. Adoption of drip irrigation (DRIP) and alternate furrow irrigation (AFI) reduced water consumption by 43% and 20%, respectively. Additionally, DRIP produced 11% more biomass than the conventional furrow irrigation. The intercropped ratio of 50% sorghum and 50% amaranth under DRIP maximized forage production and improved irrigation water-use efficiency (IWUE). Principal component analysis indicated that the DRIP increased the dry matter yield and IWUE, whereas the AFI improved the forage quality. The intercropped ratio of 75% sorghum and 25% amaranth demonstrated the highest yield stability and was considered superior cropping system regardless of the irrigation strategies. DRIP and AFI strategies were effective in reducing water consumption, with DRIP being the most water-efficient method. Intercropping sorghum and amaranth at a ratio of 50:50 under DRIP resulted in the highest forage yield and IWUE. While sole amaranth had the highest forage quality, intercropping sorghum and amaranth increased dry matter production with better forage quality than sorghum monoculture. Overall, the combination of DRIP and intercropping sorghum and amaranth at a ratio of 50:50 considered as a suitable strategy for improving forage yield and quality, as well as IWUE. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Production, quality of Paiaguas palisadegrass and cattle performance after sorghum intercropping in pasture recovery in an integrated crop-livestock system

To improve the conditions of livestock areas, integrated crop-livestock systems have proven to be a viable and sustainable alternative for pasture recovery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production, quality of Paiaguas palisadegrass and cattle performance after intercropping with sorghum in the pasture recovery through an integrated crop-livestock system. The experiment was conducted in an experimental design in a randomized block design with four replicates in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme, with four forage systems: Paiaguas palisadegrass in monocropped, sorghum intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in rows, sorghum intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in interrow, and sorghum intercropped with oversown Paiaguas palisadegrass, evaluated in four seasons of the year (winter, spring, summer, and fall).The forage system did not influence the DM production, nutritive value, stocking rate and weight gain, being that all forms of sowing can be indicated due to the good development of Paiaguas palisadegrass after the sorghum harvest, showing several alternatives for implantation of the crops in intercropping. The summer and fall seasons provided higher forage availability and nutritive value, resulting in greater weight gain and better performance per animal per area. Paiaguas palisadegrass has good potential in pasture formation, recovery, and/or renewal, showing resistance to the dry period of the year (winter and fall).

Sorghum–Grass Intercropping Systems under Varying Planting Densities in a Semi-Arid Region: Focusing on Soil Carbon and Grain Yield in the Conservation Systems

A major challenge in sorghum intercropping systems is maintaining their yields compared to the yields of the solo crops, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that intercropping systems using sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) and Brachiaria sp. are viable means to increase sorghum production and soil carbon in the conservation systems. Field trials were conducted in the semi-arid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during two crop cycles of sorghum associated with different grasses (Andropogon gayanus—AG; Cenchrus ciliaris cv. Aridus—CCA; Cenchrus ciliaris cv. 131—CC; Brachiaria decumbents—BD; Brachiaria brizantha—BB; Brachiaria ruziziensis—BR; Panicum maximum—PM), using row spacings of 0.4 and 0.8 m. Panicles of sorghum (yield) and grass dry matter were collected to determine yields. Results showed that the addition of grasses in systems decreased the grain yield in all systems, except in the systems using sorghum with CCA in 0.4 m, AG in 0.8 m, or BR in 0.8 m. In the 0.4 m row spacing, the sorghum associations with CC, BB, or PM are greater alternatives to increase soil carbon. However, when the row spacing was increased, the sole sorghum was the best alternative to increase the carbon. In machine learning, sorghum systems with CCA and AG are better alternatives to increase the yields, while sorghum with CC, PM, BR, and BB increases the grass dry matter in soil.

Assessment of Groundnut and Sorghum Intercropping

Intercropping approach is to maximizing the use of limited farm lands as well as attaining food security to the subsistence farmers. A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive rainy seasons (2013/14 and 2014/2015) at Sheikan Locality, North Kordofan State, Sudan to investigate the effects of intercropping groundnut with two varieties of sorghum on land use efficiency. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments: three sole crop of groundnut, a local sorghum variety (Zinari) and an improved sorghum variety (Butana) and eight spatial arrangements of 1:1, 1:2, 2:1 and 2:2 rows of groundnut with each of the local or improved sorghum varieties. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Land equivalent ratio (LER), competitive indices and economic analysis were used to evaluate the productivity. The results revealed that the intercropping affected most of the characteristics studied. The results revealed that all competitive ratios (CRs) were less than 1 in all intercropping treatments in both seasons indicating that, all intercropping patterns were advantageous over sole cropping The arrangement of GSV1 2:2 (two groundnut rows alternating with two rows of sorghum var. Butana rows) was the best pattern in terms of land use efficiency, with LERs of 1.46 and highest cash returns (6345.3 SDG). The study concluded that, the arrangement of GSV1 2:2 is the best combination for maximum use of land.

Optimal plot size in single or intercropping sorghum and showy rattlebox

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal plot size to evaluate fresh matter productivity of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis Roth.). Fifteen uniformity trials (blank experiments) with sorghum and showy rattlebox, in single or intercropping, were carried out. The fresh matter productivity was evaluated in 540 basic experimental units (BEU) of 1 × 1 m (15 trials × 36 BEU per trial). The plot size was determined by the method of Hatheway (1961), in scenarios formed by combinations of treatment numbers, repetitions numbers, and levels of experimental precision. To evaluate the fresh matter productivity of sorghum and showy rattlebox, in single or intercropping, with 5 to 30 treatments and with five repetitions, plots of 10 m² of useful area are sufficient for differences between treatments of 24% of the overall average of the experiment to be considered significant at 0.05 probability.

PSXII-16 Intercropped Sorghum Sudan Grass and Cowpea for Improved Summer Pasture

Abstract Pastures in the southeastern United States are dominated primarily by warm season perennials such as bermudagrass which can be low in energy. Assessment of stocker cattle performance on bermudagrass pastures overseeded with alternative warm-season forages, such as sorghum Sudan grass and cowpea, are scarce. A study was conducted during the summer of 2021 with crossbred steers (n = 72; 305 ± 2.8 kg initial BW) to investigate growth performance when grazing sorghum Sudan grass and sorghum Sudan grass intercropped with cowpea as alternatives to bermudagrass. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with 3 treatments and 3 replicates (2 ha each) per treatment. Treatments were bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers) (CON), CON overseeded with brown mid-rib sorghum Sudan grass (Sorghum bicolor L.) (SS), and SS with cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) (SSCP) planted in alternate planting passes. Forage samples were collected from 3, 0.25m2 quadrats placed randomly in the next available paddock just prior to grazing. The SSCP pastures had 3 additional randomly placed quadrats, 3 in SS and 3 in CP. Forage crude protein and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) did not differ (P >0.96 and 0.19, respectively) among treatments and averaged 9.1% and 65.6%. Pre-grazing forage mass was greater in SS and SSCP (P< 0.01) averaging 4,925, 3,460, and 1,590, in SS, SSCP, and CON, respectively. Animal gains were 1.04 in SSCP and 0.96 in SS, greater than 0.78 in CON (P< 0.01). Grazing days were greatest (P< 0.01) in CON (91 d) followed by SS (68 d), with the fewest grazing days in SSCP (60 d). Despite differences in grazing days, gain per ha, did not differ (P=0.39) among treatments, and averaged 261 kg/ha. Although SSCP and SS had fewer grazing days, gain per ha were similar among treatments due to greater ADG on SS and SSCP pastures.

Modeling sorghum-cowpea intercropping for a site in the savannah zone of Mali: Strengths and weaknesses of the Stics model

Intercropping is a key entry point for sustainable intensification of cropping systems in sub-Saharan Africa where variable rainfall conditions prevail. Crop simulation models can complement field experiments to assess the agronomic and environmental performances of intercropping systems under diverse climatic conditions, including hypothetical future climate. So far, crop models that can handle intercropping, such as STICS, have not often been extensively evaluated for tropical conditions and for species grown by farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the calibrated STICS model to simulate sorghum-cowpea intercropping systems in rainfed conditions in West Africa. We used data from field experiments conducted at the N'Tarla Agronomic Station in Mali in 2017 and 2018. Two varieties of sorghum (local and improved) with contrasting photoperiod sensitivities were grown as sole crop and intercropped with cowpea, with additive design. Two sowing dates and two levels of mineral fertilization were also investigated. Model simulations were evaluated with observed data for phenology, leaf area index (LAI), aboveground biomass, grain yield and in-season soil moisture. Large variations in aboveground biomass of sorghum and cowpea was observed in the experiment (i.e. 3.5 – 9.6 t/ha for sorghum and 0.4–2.5 t/ha for cowpea), owing to the treatments (i.e. sole vs intercrop, early vs late sowing, no fertilizer input vs fertilizer input). Such variations were satisfactorily reproduced by the model, with EF of 0.81 in calibration and 0.58 in evaluation (with relative rRMSE of 23 % and 43 %) across crops. Sorghum AGB simulations were more accurate (rRMSE of 21 % and EF of 0.54) than cowpea AGB simulations (rRMSE of 25 % and EF of −0.09). The two main observed features of the intercropping system were well reproduced by the model. Firstly, cowpea and sorghum aboveground biomass decreased with intercropping compared with sole cropping, and the decrease in cowpea biomass was greater than the decrease in sorghum biomass. Secondly, despite a reduction in sorghum and cowpea yield, Land Equivalent Ratio of the intercropping for aboveground biomass was always above one. With regard to grain yield, observed LER was above one only in the non-fertilized treatment. The model failed at reproducing this behavior, probably because of insufficiently accurate calibration of the process leading to grain yield formation: rRMSE for grain yield was 49 % in calibration and 41 % in evaluation. Based on these findings, we discuss avenues to improve model calibration and use the model to explore options for sustainable intensification in land constrained sub-Saharan Africa. • Accurate STICS simulations of intercropped sorghum and cowpea aboveground biomass. • Inaccurate STICS simulations of intercropped sorghum and cowpea grain yield. • The model can be used to start exploring inter-annual performance of intercropping. • Experiments looking at N dynamics in intercropping needed to refine calibration.