Intercropping Combinations Research Articles

Mutual intercropping affects the growth and selenium content of cherry tomato seedlings

Intercropping can increase the utilization rate of light and water and can also improve plant growth. The objective of this study was to investigate the growth and selenium (Se) content in seedlings of three genotypes of cherry tomato under intercropping while applying Se. The pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. The monoculture of red, yellow and purple cherry tomato; among the three genotypes of cherry tomatoes, intercropping of two genotypes with each other, at the same time intercropping of three genotypes. These results show that the biomass increased under intercropping compared with monoculture. The chlorophyll b content of purple cherry tomato increased in different intercropping combinations. Furthermore, the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate of purple were increased by intercropping with red and purple cherry tomatoes. The soluble protein and soluble sugar contents in yellow and purple cherry tomato increased by 49.13% and 8.37%, respectively, under mutual intercropping. Similarly, soluble sugar increased in purple cherry tomato by intercropping with yellow and red. The activities of superoxide and peroxidase in red and yellow cherry tomato seedlings were higher in all intercropping combinations than in monoculture, whereas free proline content and relative conductivity in all cherry tomatoes decreased. The Se content of roots, stem, and leaves in seedlings increased with intercropping. Therefore, intercropping can improve the growth and Se content of cherry tomatoes, and the combination of red, yellow and purple is better, which can be used to cultivate strong seedlings.

Enhancing productivity, profitability and land use efficiency of fodder oats (Avena sativa L.) and berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) by intercropping

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2020-21 at ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, to study the effect of different intercropping row ratios on yield, intercropping indices and economics of fodder oats and berseem. The experiment consists of nine treatments viz., sole oats, sole berseem, oats + berseem (1:1 row ratio), oats + berseem (2:1 row ratio), oats + berseem (1:2 row ratio), oats + berseem (2:2 row ratio), oats + berseem (3:1 row ratio), oats + berseem (1:3 row ratio), oats + berseem (3:3 row ratio). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Results of the study revealed that maximum values of total green fodder yield (66.70 t ha-1), land equivalent ratio (1.32), monetary advantage index (12411), total phosphorus uptake (22.04 kg ha-1), net return (Rs 51307 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (2.33) were recorded with 2:1 row ratio of oats + berseem intercropping combination. However, the maximum value of total nitrogen (178.33 kg ha-1) and potassium (208.84 kg ha-1) uptake was recorded by sole cropping of berseem, which was at par with 2:1 row ratio of oats + berseem intercropping combination. It was concluded that two rows oats + one row of berseem (2:1) intercropping combination performed best in terms of yield, land use efficiency and profitability of fodder oats and berseem.

A review of intercropping systems in Western Canada

AbstractIntercropping is gaining interest from Western Canadian producers who are looking for information on how to incorporate intercrops into their production systems. This review summarizes agronomic research on intercropping from the last 40 years in Western Canada and discusses the potential challenges of integrating intercropping into existing crop rotations while identifying challenges and possible solutions. Reviewed literature indicates that several intercrop combinations have been tested in small plots involving up to four crops simultaneously grown, with over 60% comprising pulse–oilseed combinations followed by pulse–cereal combinations at ∼30%. The land equivalent ratio (LER) for pulse–oilseed and pulse–cereal averaged 1.11 and 1.13, respectively. Key agronomic factors that influenced LER in different intercrop combinations have been summarized, and the relationship of N and seeding rate with crop grain LER and partial land equivalent ratio has been assessed. While the relationship between N rate and LER was unclear in pulse–oilseed combinations such as pea (Pisum sativum L.)–canola (Brassica napus L.), LER decreased linearly with increasing N rate (p < 0.004) in pea–barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) intercrop. We highlighted that incorporating intercrops into current rotations will decrease crop rotation lengths with possible implications for disease management. There are many logistical challenges to intercropping but new technology may help producers to adapt.

Intercropping of Maize and Cowpea for Enhancing Productivity, Profitability and Land use Efficiency

A field experiment was conducted at agriculture farm, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG), Makhdoom, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh during kharif season of 2020. The treatments consist of sole maize, sole cowpea; and intercropping of maize + cowpea in 1 : 1, 2 : 1, 1 : 2, 2 : 2, 3 : 1, 1 : 3 and 3 : 3 row ratios. The results revealed that maximum total green fodder yield, maize and cowpea equivalent yield, Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Monitory Advantage Index (MAI), net returns and Benefit: Cost ratio were recorded with 2 : 1 row ratio of maize + cowpea intercropping combination followed by 3 : 1 row ratio. The highest value of nitrogen and potassium content both in fodder maize and cowpea were recorded with 1 : 3 row ratios of maize + cowpea intercropping combination. Further, the highest phosphorus content in fodder maize was recorded with 3 : 1 row ratio of maize + cowpea intercropping combination whereas in case of cowpea the highest phosphorus content was recorded with 1 : 3 row ratio of maize + cowpea intercropping combination. Thus, it was found that two rows maize + one row of cowpea (2 : 1) intercropping combination perform best in terms of yield, land use efficiency and profitability of fodder maize and cowpea. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(2): 235-242, 2024 (June)

Combining AMMI and BLUP analysis to select high‐yielding soybean genotypes in Benin

AbstractThirty soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genotypes, along with three checks, were evaluated over three seasons across five communes in Benin. The experiments were laid out in an alpha lattice design with three replicates. Additive multiplicative mean interaction (AMMI) and best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) analysis were combined to assess differential agronomic performance and yield stability among genotypes. There was significant variation (p < 0.001) between genotypes for all traits, with highly significant environmental and genotype × environment interaction (GEI) effects on soybean grain yield (p < 0.001). The likelihood ratio test indicated that both genotype and interaction effects were highly significant (p < 0.001). The low R2 (0.21) for GEI reflected the presence of high residual variation in the GEI component, in contrast to the AMMI analysis of variance, which explained a high proportion of the GEI through the first two interaction principal component axes (52%). The very high value of the predictive accuracy (0.89) confirmed the model's reliability in selecting superior genotypes. The low (0.33) genotypic correlation between environments indicated that it was difficult to select superior genotypes for each environment. Based on the superiority index (weighted average absolute scores from BLUP for yield) of BLUP, simultaneous selection led to the identification of Jenguma 2.67 ± 0.06 t ha−1 as the most stable and productive genotype across environments, followed by Favour 2.34 ± 0.08 t ha−1, and Afayak 2.46 ± 0.08 t ha−1. The agronomic performance of soybean in this study suggested great potential for diversifying cotton‐based cropping systems in Benin, thereby improving their sustainability. The effect of these soybean genotypes on the productivity of intercrop combinations and sequences of cash crops, such as cotton, is yet to be investigated.

Intercropping coupled with inoculation on Cd accumulation in a Sedum alfredii-oilseed rape system under various field conditions

Intercropping of hyperaccumulator and cash crop, as a kind of phytoremediation coupled with agro-production (PCA), is now considered a promising strategy to address the issue of Cd contamination in arable lands. In the present study, hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii intercropped with oilseed rape (Brassic juncea L) in three Cd contaminated fields were conducted to explore the effects of intercropping on growth performance and Cd accumulation in plants coupled with application of plant growth promoting endophyte (PGPE) consortium. The results indicated that shoot biomass was increased by intercropping, PGPE inoculation, and superposition treatment with 2.16–25.5 %, 3.79–22.9 %, and 22.2–44.0 % for S. alfredii and 2.30–14.3 %, 16.5–35.1 % and 19.3–50.1 % for oilseed rape across three sites as compared to monoculture. Intercropping and inoculation increased Cd accumulation by 4.65–17.4 % and 7.56–37.0 % for oilseed rape as well as 6.51–47.8 % and 13.2–32.8 % for S. alfredii among three locations, therefore increasing Cd removal efficiency in soil. The combination of intercropping and inoculation effectively increased Cd accumulation by 3.68–46.8 % considering only half the amount of oilseed rape and S. alfredii plants under strip intercropping as compared to the sum of two plants under monoculture. While Cd concentrations in seeds of oilseed rape were in the safe range of 0.04–0.18 mg kg−1 under intercropping or inoculation. These results revealed that synergistic application of intercropping and inoculation represents a viable approach to enhance the Cd phytoextraction efficiency and proposed an integrated technology pattern and sustainable technical assistance for PCA in slightly and moderately Cd contaminated soils, and also provided universal information for mechanisms between intercropping and PGPE inoculum.

Effects of intercropping and regulated deficit irrigation on the yield, water and land resource utilization, and economic benefits of forage maize in arid region of Northwest China

Intercropping has been widely recognized to have great advantages in terms of increasing yield, controlling pests and diseases, and saving land, particularly in developing countries. Regulated deficit irrigation reduces water consumption and improves water productivity (WP). However, it is unclear whether the combination of intercropping and deficit irrigation could improve crop yield and WP simultaneously. In this experiment, three planting modes, including forage maize (Zea mays L.) monoculture (M), lablab bean (Lablab purpureus L.) monoculture (L), and maize-lablab bean intercropping (ML) were used. Six irrigation modes were set for each planting mode, including severe water deficit (W1), late water deficit (W2), alternate water deficit (W3), late moderate water deficit (W4), early moderate water deficit (W5), and full irrigation (W6). Results showed that compared with M, the ML treatment significantly increased the fresh forage yield (9.8%–17.0%), hay yield (9.5%–13.1%), crude protein yield (22.9%–25.9%), and WP (7.8%–8.7%). The W5 treatment achieved similar fresh forage yield, hay yield, and crude protein yield as that of the W6 treatment but reduced irrigation water by 25% and increased the WP (21.9%–24.8%). Intercropping achieved a high-water equivalence ratio (WER;1.52–1.81) and land equivalence ratio (LER;1.56–1.84), indicating its advantages over monocultures. The W6 treatment had the lowest WER and LER, suggesting that excessive irrigation can reduce the efficiency of utilizing land and water resource in maze-based forage production. Among all treatments, ML–W5 achieved the highest net income and output to input ratio. Overall, intercropping of forage maize and lablab bean with moderate deficit irrigation at an early stage could be used as a high-yield and efficient forage production system in the arid areas of northwest China.

Pengaruh Kombinasi Populasi Tumpangsari Kedelai-Singkong pada Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Benih Tanaman Kedelai dan Hasil Umbi Singkong

Intercropping soybeans with cassava can become one solution to increase the production of soybean in Indonesia. This research aimed to determine the most optimal population combination of soybean-cassava intercropping for the growth and yield of soybean seeds, cassava tuber yield, and land use efficiency (LUE).. The research was carried out on the farm land of the Main Seed Center in Sekincau District, West Lampung Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia at -5°02’27” South and 104°18’16” East at elevation of 1173.1 meter from sea level and at the Seed and Plant Breeding Laboratory Faculty of Agriculture University of Lampung during June 2022 - February 2023. The four treatments of population combination of soybean-cassava intercropping were applied in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) and replicated five times in five blocks. The four population combination treatments of soybean-cassava intercropping were a) 100% soybean and 0% cassava (monoculture) (p₁), b) 67% soybean and 97% cassava (p₂), c) 67% soybean and 89% cassava (p₃), and d) 50% soybeans and 97% cassava (p₄). The growth and the seed yield per soybean stem of monoculture did not differ to those of the soybean-cassava intercropping, but the soybean seed yield per plot area of the intercropping was lower than those of monoculture. Its mainly due to the soybean population of the intercropping was lower compared to monoculture. All population combinations in soybean-cassava intercropping were effective in supporting the growth and yield of soybean seeds, but the population combination of 50% soybean and 97% cassava (p₄) was also effective in supporting cassava tuber yield, and had the highest land use efficiency among other population combinations. Key words: flowering age, plant height, seed weight, tuber weight of cassava

Rotational Strip Bean and Celery Intercropping Alters the Microbial Community to Improve Crop Yield and Soil Nutrients

Rotational strip intercropping involves the strategic combination of stubble intercropping and the rotational placement of intercropped strips, which can improve crop yield. Here, we evaluated the effects of rotational strip bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and celery (Apium graveolens L.) intercropping with bed ratios of 1:1 and 2:2 on crop yield, soil microbial community and nutrition. The 1:1 ratio of rotational strip bean and celery intercropping had a higher yield than the 2:2 ratio. The 1:1 rotational strip intercropping markedly improved the nitrate nitrogen and available phosphorus contents of the beans, and the nitrate nitrogen and available potassium contents of the celery. The 2:2 rotational strip intercropping reduced the bacterial α diversity of the beans, and the 1:1 and 2:2 rotational strip intercropping enhanced the fungal α diversity of both the beans and the celery. Both planting patterns also altered the microbial communities found on the bean and celery plants. Microorganisms enriched in the rhizosphere of the bean and celery plants significantly increased the soil nutrient content and yield in the 1:1 rotational strip intercropping, and included the genera Achromobacter, Luteibacter, Stenotrophomonas, Fusarium, Flavobacterium and Preussia in the bean rhizosphere, and Alternaria, Arthrographis and Pluteus, Sphingopyxis and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 in the celery rhizosphere.

Growth and Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.) as Influenced by Precision Nutrient Management and Intercropping Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) under Hot and Sub-humid Region of Odisha

Background: Cereal-legume intercropping is an age-old practice in most of the countries. Among the major cereals, maize is a better choice to include in legume intercropping due to its morphology and wider row spacing. Therefore, legume intercropping in consort with proper nutrient management can enhance overall productivity of the system, further improving crop diversification, nutritional security and agriculture sustainability. Considering these aspects, the present study was performed to examine the growth and productivity of maize as influenced by precision nutrient management and cowpea intercropping. Methods: The present study was carried out during rabi season of 2022-23 at P. G. Research Farm of M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Odisha, India. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with five intercropping combinations and five nutrient management treatments. All the treatments were replicated thrice. The plot size maintained was 5.0 m x 4.8 m. In case of maize and cowpea, high yielding hybrid ‘JKMH 4510’ and ‘KBC 9’ variety were taken for the study, respectively. Result: The results revealed that the growth parameters were significantly affected by intercropping ratios and nutrient management treatments. Although the yield attributes of maize were differed non significantly among the intercropping treatments but were significantly influenced by the nutrient treatments. In case of grain yield of maize, the Green Seeker-based nutrient management gave highest value with cowpea intercropping ratio of 1:1 and 2:2. LER and ATER were greater than unity, which indicated that the intercropping was advantageous. However, the maximum LER and Area Time Equivalent Ratio (ATER) were obtained from C3 (M+C 1:2) with 140:70:70 kg N, P2O5, K2O/ha, respectively. The study concluded that intercropping of maize + cowpea in 1:2 row ratio with Green Seeker-based nutrient management were advantageous over pure stand of maize fertilised with conventional nutrient management.

Soil Microbial Biomass and Bacterial Diversity Enhanced through Fallow Cover Cropping in Rice–Fish Coculture

Traditional rice production is often reliant on the unsustainable practice of utilizing intensive inputs in monoculture cropping systems. Alternatives fallow cover cropping and rice–fish coculture (RFC) offer promising solutions. However, the potential of fallow cover cropping in RFC remains underexplored, and its impact on soil microbes is poorly understood. In this study, assessments of soil–plant–microbe interactions were conducted across three cover cropping systems: Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus L.) single cropping (CM), Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) single cropping (RP), and a combination of Chinese milk vetch and rapeseed intercropping (CM_RP). These systems were evaluated with and without nitrogen (N) addition, encompassing both the RFC and rice monoculture (RMC) systems. The findings indicate a notable increase in soil microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) with CM. Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), influenced more by N-fertilizer than crop species, decreased with N addition. In the RFC system, the soil bacterial co-occurrence network exhibited more connections, yet negative links increased. CM_RP displayed similarities to CM without N but shifted closer to RP with N addition. N addition in intercropping significantly increased the root–shoot ratio (R/S) of A. sinicus, associated with decreased aboveground biomass and total root length. Compared to RMC, RFC with N addition reduced the relative abundance of Anaerolineaceae in CM while increasing Bacillus and Pontibacter across cover cropping systems. Overall, with N addition, both RFC and RMC showed decreased soil bacterial diversity indices. Changes in soil bacterial diversity correlated significantly with soil MBC, MBN, and plant R/S. Continuous fallow cover cropping altered soil microbial biomass and affected cover crop biomass distribution, impacting bacterial composition in paddy soil. These results shed light on how bacterial communities respond to N addition and fallow cover cropping in RFC and RMC systems, offering insights for sustainable nutrient management in paddy systems.

Co-cultivation of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) with fodder and vegetable crop for enhancing productivity and resource use efficiency

To test this hypothesis in a representative location of the western Himalayan region, we study the intercropping of fodder and vegetable crops with basil. This experiment was laid out at CIMAP research Centre Purara, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, during the years 2020-21 and 2021-22. Maize, sorghum, and pearl millet were cultivated as fodder crops, and okra and coriander were grown as vegetable crops with basil as an intercrop during both years. The biological efficiency of the intercropping system was assessed using LER, ATER, aggressivity, competitive ratio and relative crowding coefficient (K). It was found that sole basil had the highest yield, with 378.01 q ha-1 of fresh and 98.28 q ha-1 of dry herbs, followed by the intercrop of basil + coriander, with 218.19 q ha-1 of fresh herb and 56.73 q ha-1 of dry herb. The basil + coriander intercrop showed the highest LER (1.29), followed by basil + okra (1.27). Basil + okra had the highest MAI value of ₹ 129517.30 ha-1, suggesting that the intercrop combination was the highest gainer, followed by basil + fodder maize combination with an MAI value of ₹ 92203.66 ha-1. Basil + okra had the highest B:C ratio of 4.89 and the highest NR of ₹ 391497, followed by sole basil with an NR of ₹ 297655 and a B:C ratio of 3.72. Keywords: Basil, Fodder crop, Intercropping, Vegetable crops, Western Himalayas

How maize-legume intercropping and rotation contribute to food security and environmental sustainability

A revolution of cropping systems offers a promising opportunity to address complex and interconnected challenges to food security and environmental protection. Intercropping and crop rotation especially of legumes and maize are prominent candidates due to their wide applicability and advantages, given their differences in crop photosynthetic pathways. Scientific research on transition towards sustainable cropping systems continues to grow rapidly and there is an urgent need to systematize its knowledge map. Based on 6574 articles published from 1990 to 2022, we use bibliometric indicators such as publication trends, authorship patterns, and citation analyses to explore the research hotspots, frontiers and trends of maize-legume intercropping and crop rotation. The unbalanced research and practice patterns worldwide, different emphases between economic and environmental objectives of two cropping systems are analyzed. Finally, the potential and perspectives of the combination of intercropping and crop rotation to address challenges to food security and environmental sustainability are discussed.

Yield, nitrogen, and phosphorus uptake, and biological nitrogen fixation in chickpea–flax intercropping systems in southern Saskatchewan

The interest in growing pulse crops and oilseeds together as intercrop combinations is increasing. However, little is known about nutrient dynamics in pulse–oilseed intercropping systems in western Canada, particularly the contributions from biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Kabuli chickpea and brown flax were grown without added fertilizer as monocrops and as intercrops in mixed and alternate seed row configurations at sites located in the Brown (Central Butte, SK) and Black (Redvers, SK) soil zones in 2019 and 2020. Comparison was made of grain and straw yields, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake of grain and straw, and proportion and amount of biologically fixed N contributed from the chickpea and transferred to the flax. The intercrop grain yield land equivalent ratio (LER) and N and P uptake LER values were at or above 1 for the four site-years, indicating benefit from intercropping in increasing total yield and crop N and P uptake from the land area. The proportion of N derived from BNF was not enhanced in this intercrop combination, but considerable biologically fixed N (8%–22%) was transferred from the chickpea to the flax during the growing season. This was associated with reduced depletion of soil N compared to monocrop flax in part due to the contribution of biologically fixed N in the chickpea–flax intercrop system.

Legume-cereal intercropping as a strategy of regenerative agriculture supporting reverse of biodiversity loss - relevance of microbiome-based research

Adverse environmental impacts connceted with high chemicals and fertilizers use is one of the causes of biodiversity loss. Therefore, there is a need to looking for more natural and non-hazardous alternative approaches to make agriculture more sustain. The legume-cereal intercropping is currently one of the „hot topics” in the area of sustainable and regenerative agriculture. These intercropping practices are increasingly gaining attention as a way for enhancing soil ecosystem services and reversal biodiversity loss, as well as as a strategy of harnesing plant yield quality and soil health. Legume-cereal systems are the most common intercropping combinations used in sustainable agriculture models because of their noncompeting niche requirements and atmospheric nitrogen fixation which improve a balance of this nutrient in soil and plant and decrease the amount of mineral fertilizers use. However, conventional crop rotations in the EU are largely dominated by cereals while legume cultivation has declined in recent years. The idea of the LEGUMINOSE project includes that multi-species assemblages of plants deliver rhizosphere functions that are greater than the sum of the functions delivered by the rhizospheres of individual plants growing alone as a monoculture. We hypotheses that the higher plant diversity in intercropping will increase plant health, improve soil biodiversity and reduce the use of pesticides in agroecosystems. However ther is a knowledge gap concerning plant-soil-microbe interactions under root exudation from single and diverse plant assemblage and role of soil microbiomes in soil ecosystem functionality and plant production. Therefore we will focus on understanding these interactions by the microbiome research of soil and plant niches, including bulk soil, rhisozphere, roots and shoots of cereal and legume plants in order to assess the percentage of microbiota transfered between them within monocropping and intercropping fields and understand relationships of that microbiomes in plant health improvement. This project will design and implement sustainable environmental practices based on legume-cereal intercropping systems that account for the nature, impacting to global biogeosphere changes. Research funded in the frame of Horizon Europe Programme, agreement no. Project 101082289 — LEGUMINOSE.

The effects of the different sowing methods and planting density on the yield components of soybean (Glycine max) under intercropping condition with rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth.)

In Japan, grass-legume intercropping systems are being developed to increase quality and yield of grain and forage. Hence, this study evaluated the effects of sowing methods and planting density on yield traits of forage soybean under intercropping condition with rhodes grass. The field experiment was laid on in a completely randomized block design with four treatments and four replications. Rhodes grass seeds were sown at 2.8 kg/10a in a field containing mono- and intercropping-plots. For soybeans, two levels of sowing densities (about 15 or 30 seeds/m2: named “L” and “H”) and two sowing methods (row or spray: named “R” and “S”) were applied for a total of four different intercropping combinations. Rhodes grass DMY obtained the highest in low level of sowing density with rowing methods (LR) (338 kg/10a) while soybean DMY obtained the highest in high level of sowing density with rowing methods (HR) (251 kg/10a) and in high level of sowing density with spray methods (HS) (177 kg/10a). Intercropping at low density increased CP (12%) and CPY (40.4 kg DM/10a) in Rhodes grass, and CP (18.9%) in soybeans, whereas high sowing density increased soybean CPY in HR (41.5 kg DM/10a) and contributed to higher soybean CPY in DM percentage at 66% (HS) and 56% (HR). Overall, high density sowing increased the 1st total DMY while row sowing increased the 1st total CPY in both crops at the first cutting, while monocropping increased Rhodes grass yield and plant length at the second-cutting. Also, sowing soybean by a broadcast spreader could obtain sufficient crude protein yield as a forage soybean in southern Kyushu, Japan. Further studies are needed for soybean overseeding method and use of early-maturity soybean lines

Enhancing onion growth and yield through agroecological practices: Organic fertilization and intercropping

The harmonious integration of two agroecological methods, namely intercropping and organic fertilization, illustrates a sustainable approach that not only boosts crop productivity but also minimizes the environmental impact, demonstrating a commitment to both higher yields and responsible environmental stewardship. This research aims to explore the effects of organic fertilization on onions intercropped with pepper, fennel, and carrots within an agroecological context. The study was conducted over two seasons using a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments. Notably, organic fertilization yielded results similar to mineral fertilization (NPK). Among intercropping combinations, onion-carrot displayed the highest yield and growth characteristics. Onion-pepper intercropping didn't significantly impact onion growth, while onion-fennel intercropping negatively affected agronomic parameters. Carrot intercropping led to increased plant height, with inorganic fertilization demonstrating stronger effects than organic fertilization. NPK fertilizer notably enhanced stem diameter, particularly in onion-carrot intercropping. Intercropping, especially with NPK, positively influenced the number of leaves per plant. NPK fertilizer excelled in enhancing plant fresh weight, with onion-pepper and onion-carrot intercropping enhancing second-season yields. NPK fertilizer also stood out in plant dry weight, and onion-carrot intercropping excelled in bulb weight. Yield was significantly impacted by intercropping and fertilization, with NPK significantly enhancing yield and onion-carrot intercropping demonstrating promising results. Principal component analysis revealed that onion-carrot intercropping with organic fertilizer nearly matched chemical NPK yield levels. The study provides valuable insights into optimizing onion cultivation and recommends adopting onion-carrot intercropping in the Fes-Meknes region. Overall, this research advances understanding of the intricate interplay between organic fertilization and intercropping, offering strategies for improved yield and sustainability in agroecological systems.

Wheat and faba bean intercropping and cultivar impacts on morphology, disease, and yield

AbstractModern agriculture relies heavily on synthetic fertilizer and pesticide inputs. Pressure is increasing to find alternatives that reduce such inputs. In comparison to monocultures, intercropping can reduce plant diseases and increase yield, thereby reducing inputs and maximizing land use efficiency. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding which crop and cultivar combinations maximize such benefits. Here, we grew two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and six faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cultivars in monoculture and intercrops over three seasons and measured plant morphology, disease prevalence, and yield. Wheat ear development was slower in monocultures but varied by cultivar and year. Wheat cultivars senesced faster in monocultures versus certain faba bean intercrop combinations. In both wheat cultivars, Fusarium spp. severity was higher, while yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici Westend.) was lower in monocultures versus intercropped plots but varied by year and faba bean cultivar. Chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae Sardiña) in faba bean was higher in the cultivar ‘Louhi’ when grown in monoculture. Wheat cultivars yielded higher in monoculture versus intercropped plots. Faba bean yield was higher in monocultures but depended on wheat cultivar and year. Land equivalent ratios (LER) were not affected by interactions between cultivars or years but were always above one in intercropped plots. This indicates that it is always more efficient for yield to intercrop. Our results show that the benefits of intercropping with different wheat and faba bean cultivars varied, indicating that specific goals (i.e., disease suppression and yield) should be considered when selecting wheat–faba bean cultivar combinations.

Root Architecture of Forage Species Varies with Intercropping Combinations

Belowground root systems under pasture intercropping exhibit complex interactions, and the root interactions of different intercropping combinations are still poorly understood. Therefore, in this work, two perennial and annual herbages were intercropped in pairs and evaluated at a ratio of 1:1. The root morphology and topological structure differed significantly with intercropping combinations. (1) Compared with other cropping patterns, the mean root diameter (RD) of intercropped alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) increased notably. The root surface area (RSA), root volume (RV), and mean RD increased significantly when oat (Avena sativa L.) was intercropped with alfalfa. Similarly, the RSA and RV increased in intercropped oat, intercropping relative to monocropping. (2) The forage topological index of the intercropping system was close to one, which was close to that of the herringbone branching. Additionally, the intercropping system had a lower intensity of underground root competition. The root system of the different forage intercropping combinations tended to transition to dichotomous branching. (3) The correlations between root parameters differed according to forage species. Therefore, different intercropping combinations had different belowground root levels of competitiveness and interactions, thereby changing the resource competition environment.

Evaluation of different row proportions in intercropping of pearl millet and cluster bean for forage yield and quality

The suitable intercropping combination of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) and cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub) for fodder yield and quality enhancement was studied in Yamuna ravines of Uttar Pradesh. In this experiment, nine treatments were evaluated which included two treatment of sole crop (pearl millet and cluster bean) and seven intercropping combinations of pearl millet + cluster bean viz., 1:1, 2:1, 1:2, 2:2, 3:1, 1:3 and 3:3. Maximum value of quality parameters (crude protein, ether extract, ash content, TDN, RFV, NE etc.) was obtained with intercropping of 1:3 row ratio. Highest total green and dry fodder yield of pearl l millet + cluster bean was obtained with 3:1 intercropping combination which was at par with 2:1 row ratio. Further maximum values of crude protein yield, ether extract yield and dry matter intake was recorded with 1:3 row ratios, which was statistically at par with 2:1 row ratio; and maximum value of ash yield was recorded with 2:1 row ratio. It was concluded that two rows pearl millet + one row cluster bean (2:1) intercropping combination could be recommended to obtain maximum yields of green fodder as well as crude protein.