Intercropping Patterns Research Articles

Effects of Intercropping Aromatic Plants on the Soil Microbiota in Tobacco Field

By utilising high-throughput sequencing technology, we systematically analysed microbial flora changes in tobacco fields intercropping various Lamiaceae plants that are cultivated mainly for extracting the aromatic compounds. The results showed that the number of soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere changed during the resettling, flourishing, and harvesting periods. Among these periods, the number of actinomycetes in the flourishing period increased, which played a role in enhancing the disease resistance of tobacco plants to a certain extent. The soil microbial diversity analyses revealed that the amount, species and Alpha diversity index of rhizosphere soil microbes were the highest at the resettling and flourishing stages. Bacterial floras belonging toActinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Nitrospiraewere the dominant ones, playing a certain role in the soil nitrogen cycle and supply. For both bacteria or and fungi, the difference between communities of the soils with the intercropping pattern was greater than that of the control. Bangladesh J. Bot. 51(4): 829-838, 2022 (December) Special

Intercropping systems between broccoli and fava bean can enhance overall crop production and improve soil fertility

Legumes can be regarded as a good alternative in intercropping systems to increase soil fertility and biodiversity whilst enhancing crop production and reducing fertilizer use. The aims of this study were to: i) assess whether crop yield, crop quality and soil physicochemical properties can be improved using different intercropping patterns between broccoli (Brassica oleracea var italica) and fava bean (Vicia faba) compared with their respective monocrops, all grown under organic management; and ii) assess if fava bean grown as an intercrop can partially replace fertilizer use without negative effects on crop production. We compared, for three crop cycles, monocrops with three different broccoli-fava intercropping patterns: mixed intercropping, row intercropping 1:1 (broccoli:fava), and row intercropping 2:1 (broccoli:fava). Fertilization was reduced by 30% in the diversified plots. After three crop cycles, the results showed that the intercropping systems, regardless of the pattern, kept soil organic C levels, while they significantly decreased in broccoli monoculture. Intercropping also significantly increased soil total N, available P and exchangeable K (0.13%, 39 mg·kg−1 and 364 mg·kg−1, respectively), compared to the broccoli monocrop (0.11%, 11 mg·kg−1 and 277 mg·kg−1). Total production was significantly higher under the diversified systems, which doubled the overall yield of the monocrops every crop cycle, with land equivalent ratios > 1. Hence, the introduction of fava bean associated to broccoli could be considered a feasible strategy for sustainable agriculture, with environmental gains and economic savings for fertilizers and water.

Soil Aggregates Are Governed by Spacing Configurations in Alfalfa-Jujube Tree Intercropping Systems

Soil aggregates play an important role in affecting the structural stability of the soil, and it is important to understand the relationship between soil aggregate stability and crop yield in herbage-fruit tree intercropping systems. In this study, we determined the optimal spacing configurations for improving aggregate stability while increasing crop yields in alfalfa-jujube intercropping systems. The treatments included three intercropping patterns, i.e., the distances between alfalfa and jujube at 0.5 m (IP0.5m), 1 m (IP1m), and 1.45 m (IP1.45m), along with monoculture alfalfa (CKAL) and jujube (CKJU). The results showed that IP0.5m, IP1m, IP1.45m, and CKJU effectively improved soil aggregate structure compared to CKAL. The IP1m spacing significantly increased the amounts of macro-aggregates (8.2%), and improved soil mechanical properties and aggregate stability among the other treatments, which was partly attributable to increased mean weight diameter (13.6%) and decreased soil aggregate destruction rate of water-stable aggregates (2.9%). The results of the principal component analysis showed that IP1m treatments had a positive effect on PC1. The one-meter spacing of jujube-to-alfalfa intercropping optimized the soil structure while improving the yield (8.3%); thus, it can be considered the most suitable intercropping spacing configuration for growing alfalfa in jujube plantations.

Carbon Accumulation, Soil Microbial and Enzyme Activities in Elephant Foot Yam-Based Intercropping System

Intercropping is a sustainable, eco-friendly, and economically beneficial cropping system. Elephant foot yam (EFY), a multifarious long-duration vegetable, takes 60 days or more to spread its canopy. Hence, this research assessed the impact of intercropping short duration vegetables, viz., cluster bean, radish, Amaranthus, and fenugreek, in elephant foot yam for two seasons (2021 and 2021/22). It included the analysis of parameters such as carbon accumulation, soil chemical properties, nutrient, enzyme, and microbial activities. The findings revealed that for both the seasons there was a significant (p < 0.01) rise in all the parameters examined in the intercropping patterns. Cluster bean (legume) outperformed the other intercrops utilised. Overall, carbon accumulation was improved by 54.40% when cluster beans were intercropped in EFY. Cluster bean intercropping increased the microbial and enzyme activities in the soil rhizosphere and improved soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium by 31, 42, 28, 37, and 11%, respectively, compared to the sole crop. A positive correlation was observed between the soil microbes and enzyme activity with the soil chemical properties. As a result, the research concludes that intercropping cluster bean in EFY promotes carbon accumulation, soil nutrients, enzymes, and microbial community, which, in turn, favour the productivity of the elephant foot yam.

Effects of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)–Mucuna pruriens intercropping pattern on the agronomic performances of potato and the soil physicochemical properties of the western highlands of Cameroon

Abstract A field experiment was conducted at the teaching and research farm of the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences of the University of Dschang to investigate the effects of potato–Mucuna intercropping pattern on the agronomic performances of potatoes and the soil physicochemical properties in western highlands of Cameroon. The experiment design was a randomized complete block with three replications. The treatments included a pure potato stand (T1), pure Mucuna stand (T2), 1:1 (T3), 1:2 (T4), and 2:1 (T5) potato–Mucuna intercropping patterns. The results revealed that potato–Mucuna intercropping patterns had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on potato growth variables, soil physical properties, and the relative crowding coefficient. The highest potato yield (24,913 kg ha−1) and potato equivalent yield (81,513 kg ha−1) were obtained from the 1:1 intercropping pattern. The highest total LER (2.17) and the lowest (1.38) were obtained with 1:1 and 1:2 intercropping patterns, respectively. Area time equivalent ratio values were greater than 1 in 1:1 (1.46) and 2:1 (1.29) intercropping patterns. Mucuna proved to be the most aggressive and competitive species according to Ap and competitive ratio values except for the 1:2 intercropping pattern with K indicating a yield advantage in all intercropping patterns. 1:1 and 2:1 intercropping patterns gave the best C/N (13.94) and cation exchange capacity (36.12 meq 100 g−1), respectively. Late blight incidence was highest (16.88%) on potato sole crop stand and lowest (8.05%) on 1:2 intercropping pattern. Therefore, based on the findings of this experiment, 1:1 or 1:2 intercropping pattern could be recommended in potato–Mucuna intercropping system.

Study on the effect of planting pattern adjustment on the growth of kiwifruit inter-root microorganisms and fruit quality

As the area planted with kiwifruit continues to expand, monoculture continuous cropping is gradually becoming the main mode of its production. However, current kiwifruit soils suffer from nutrient deficiencies and increased toxicity of their own, which are harmful to their yield and quality. The study proposes a kiwifruit-maize intercrop as a starting point for adjusting the cropping pattern. It was then analysed in terms of basic soil physicochemical properties, sucrose enzyme activity, microbial species, and quantity, respectively, and compared with the kiwifruit intercropping method to verify its effect on inter-root microorganisms and fruit quality. The experimental outcomes demonstrated that the adjusted cropping pattern increased the organic matter content year by 3 years, reaching a maximum of 749.36 g·kg-1, with some improvement in all basic physicochemical property indicators such as total phosphorus and fast-acting potassium compared to the preadjustment period. In terms of inter-root soil microbial growth, the kiwifruit-maize intercropping pattern increased microbial species and numbers, with significant differences compared to preadjustment (p < 0.05). In the comparison of fruit quality, the adjusted cropping pattern was of higher quality, with a significant difference (p < 0.05), indicating that this pattern can effectively improve the inter-root microbial ecology of kiwifruit, providing a reference direction for further improvement of its yield and quality.

Effect of Different sowing dates under Intercropping Patterns for Fahl Berseem and Wheat Crop Under the North Middle Nile Delta Region

Effect of Different sowing dates under Intercropping Patterns for Fahl Berseem and Wheat Crop Under the North Middle Nile Delta Region

IMPLEMENTASI SISTEM MINA PADI DALAM MENINGKATKAN KESEJAHTERAAN PETANI PERSPEKTIF MAQASHID SYARIAH

The implementation of mina padi system in the Putih Village comes from complaints of farmers who have land east of the river that are often flooded, so it makes the land less productive. So that the headman of Putih Village began the innovation of minapadi system to overcome that problem. Over time, the implementation of minapadi system can increase the welfare of farmers. The welfare obtained by these farmers is not only in the form of wealth, but also includes of soul, mind, descent, and religion. As in maqashid syariah, it is explained that welfare can be achieved if the five basic elements of life are fulfilled. The method used in this study is a qualitative method with descriptive approach. Data sources are obtained from informants, location situation, and documentation files. The results of this study are: 1) The mechanism of mina padi system was begun with land preparation used for the application of the mina padi system. Then, it is continued with the sowing of fish seeds. Putih Village used intercropping pattern with a deep rice plant model equipped with caren. 2) With the implementation of the mina padi system, the welfare obtained by farmers has increased because farmers got two types of results in one time harvest. In addition, minapadi system produced the better results, so it can increase the selling price. 3) The implementation of maqashid syariah in minapadi system namely the farmer welfare in dharuriyah discussion in maintaining religion, wealth, soul, mind, and descent.

Correlation on Population Dynamics and Disease Incidence Of Bacterial Wilt Instigating Pathogen (Ralstonia Solanacearum) Under Different Intercropping System

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose) is one of the important spice crops grown organically in the hill zone of West Bengal. Among the various diseases that cause constrains to the organic ginger production Ralstonia solanacearum causes serious threats to the ginger growers. An experiment was conducted to study the influence of different intercropping patterns on yield, population dynamics, and disease incidence of R. solanacearumin ginger crop under organic management practice. Observation on population dynamics of R. solanacearum under different intercropping patterns revealed that the marigold when intercropped with ginger had a maximum influence on population build-up during 2019 and 2020. Also, it has the potentialities to reduce the population load thereby reducing the disease incidence and increasing the rhizome yield. Therefore, marigold can be incorporated as an intercrop in organic ginger cultivation for reducing the bacterial wilt disease. Bangladesh J. Bot. 51(4): 807-812, 2022 (December)

AMF Inoculum Enhances Crop Yields of Zea mays L. 'Chenghai No. 618' and Glycine max L. 'Zhonghuang No. 17' without Disturbing Native Fugal Communities in Coal Mine Dump.

For the agricultural development of dumps, increase in land use efficiency and protection of food security, to verify the safety, efficacy and sustainability of field-applied arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculum, and to exclude the risk of potential biological invasion, in this study, we determined the effect of AMF inoculation and intercropping patterns (maize-soybean) on the temporal dynamics of soil parameters, native AMF communities and crop yields. AMF communities were analyzed using Illumina MiSeq. A total of 448 AMF operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to six genera and nine families were identified. AMF inoculation treatment significantly improved the yield of intercropping maize and increased the content of available phosphorus. AMF diversity was significantly influenced by cropping pattern and growth stage, but not by the inoculation treatment. Inoculation altered the AMF community composition in the early growth stage and facilitated a more complex AMF network in the early and late growth stages. These results indicate that AMF inoculation affects native AMF only in the early stage, and its impact on yield may be the consequence of cumulative effects due to the advantages of plant growth and nutrient uptake in the early stage.

Juvenile plumcot tree can improve fruit quality and economic benefits by intercropping with alfalfa in semi-arid areas

CONTEXTTo accelerate rural development, give play to regional advantages and improve economic benefits, the Chinese government has been promoting strongly the establishment of new agricultural operating entities, and adopting the planting of fruit-legume agroforestry system. However, the current popular planting pattern lacks comprehensive benefit evaluation from two aspects of yield and economy, and farmers lacks practical reference. OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the planting status, agronomical and economic benefits of agroforestry in large-scale professional farming households, and to determine the optimal planting pattern in Xinjiang. METHODSThis experiment consists of field measurements and a questionnaire. (1) According to the common planting patterns in this region, the following five treatments were compared in Xinjiang: plumcot + soybean intercropping (PSI) (1.2 m interval between two species, soybean wide narrow row planting), plumcot + alfalfa intercropping (PAI) (1.0 m interval between two species, 0.15 m interval between alfalfa rows), sole-cropped soybean (SS) (soybean wide narrow row planting), sole-cropped alfalfa (SA) (0.15 m interval between alfalfa rows), and sole-cropped plumcot (SP) (5 m interval between plumcot rows). The underground interspecific competitiveness index, yield, land equivalent ratio (LER), Soluble solids content (SSC), fruit firmness and economic benefit were measured. (2) A two-stage stratified sampling procedure was applied. Eighteen fruit-legume large-scale professional farming households in each selected administrative unit were stratified into intercropping with soybean or intercropping with alfalfa. The questionnaire survey investigated field management, sales channels, economic benefits and other information. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONLarge-scale professional farming households are scientific and market sensitive in developing agroforestry intercropping. Plumcot was consistently less competitive, and the main competitive area of the root system occurred at a depth of 0–0.2 m. The competition intensity of plumcot + alfalfa intercropping (PAI) was weaker than that of plumcot + soybean intercropping (PSI). Compared with sole-cropping, the yield of each species under intercropping decreased, especially that of alfalfa, but the land equivalent ratio increased. Plumcot intercropped with alfalfa had a higher soluble solids content. Intercropping has greater economic benefits, especially PAI. PAI was the most suitable planting pattern which can effectively solve the dilemma that fruit trees are not profitable in the juvenile growth stage of a plumcot. SIGNIFICANCEAn intercropping pattern can effectively solve the dilemma that fruit trees cannot make profits in the early stage of planting. There are few relevant research reports, and farmers lack decision-making suggestions on scientific planting and comprehensive economic benefits. Based on our findings, we suggest that large-scale professional farming households should develop the planting pattern of intercropping between fruit trees and legumes, especially new species of fruit trees and alfalfa. This will provide decision support for them to obtain benefits, improve land use efficiency and improve farmland ecology.

Bandwidth Row Ratio Configuration Affect Interspecific Effects and Land Productivity in Maize–Soybean Intercropping System

Intercropping plays an indispensable role in sustainable agriculture. The response of bandwidth row ratio configuration to crop interspecific relationships and land productivity in the maize–soybean intercropping system (MSI) is still unclear. A 2-year field experiment was conducted with sole maize (SM) and sole soybean (SS), two different bandwidths (2.4 m (B1), 2.8 m (B2)), two different maize and soybean row ratios (2:3 (R1), and 2:4 (R2)) for MSI. The results showed that intercropping had advantages for land productivity compared with sole planting. Intercropping cropping had significant differences on crop yield under different intercropping treatments. The 2-yr average land equivalent ratio (LER, 1.59) and group yield under the intercropping patterns of B1R2 were significantly higher than other intercropping treatments (p &lt; 0.05). With a bandwidth of 2.4 m and planting four rows of intercropped soybean, the total LER and group yield increased by 7.57% and 10.42%, respectively, compared to planting three rows of soybean. Intercropped maize was the dominant species and also had a higher nutrient aggressivity than intercropped soybean. The complementarity effect was higher than the select effect in the MSI system, and intercropping advantage was mainly derived from the complementarity effect, which was significantly correlated with intercropped maize yield. Nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient aggressivity in intercropped maize showed significant correlations with group yield and intercropped maize yield. In conclusion, bandwidth 2.4 m, row ratio 2:4 was a reasonable planting pattern because of its superior land productivity, crop nutrients uptake advantage, and harmonious interspecific relationship, which could provide a reference for MSI promotion and application research.

Optimizing Maize Belt Width Enhances Productivity in Wheat/Maize Intercropping Systems

Wheat/maize intercropping has been widely practiced in northwestern China. It is crucial to optimize the canopy structure and geometric configurations to enhance the performance of the system. This research determined the responses of intercrops to the different canopy structures created by the different wheat/maize intercropping systems. Field experiments were carried out in 2012, 2013, and 2014 at Wuwei, Gansu. Three intercropping patterns—six rows of wheat alternated with two rows of maize (6W2M), six rows of wheat alternated with three rows of maize (6W3M), and six rows of wheat alternated with four rows of maize (6W4M)—were compared with sole wheat and sole maize. The results showed that maize plant heights differed between the inner rows and the border rows, and the difference was greater for the 6W3M system than for the 6W4M system. The three intercropping systems had an average land-use equivalent ratio (LER, calculated based on grain yield) of 1.25, indicating an increase in land-use efficiency by 25% compared to the corresponding sole crops. The shape of maize strips in 6W3M optimized the canopy structure and increased the productivity of wheat and maize. The wheat in 6W3M had significantly more grain yield compared with the sole wheat and the 6W2M due to the maize belt shape, which resulted in the soil evaporation negatively affecting the intercropped wheat grain yield of the 6W3M. Similarly, the maize belt shape facilitated the light penetration and enhanced the reproductive growth by increasing the two cobs per plant rate (TCR) of the maize. The highest TCR of the 6W3M produced a higher maize grain yield than the 6W2M and sole maize in the three growing seasons. The maize belt width in the strip intercropping system had a significant effect on the grain yield of both wheat and maize, which reduced water evaporation, harmonized light distribution, and increased productivity.

Beneficial shift of rhizosphere soil nutrients and metabolites under a sugarcane/peanut intercropping system.

Intercropping systems have been studied as a sustainable agricultural planting pattern to increase soil quality and crop yields. However, the relationships between metabolites and soil physicochemical properties remain poorly understood under sugarcane/peanut intercropping system. Thus, we determined the rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties, and analyzed rhizosphere soil metabolites and root metabolites by metabolomics method under monoculture and intercropping patterns of sugarcane and peanut. The results showed that pH, the contents of total phosphorus (P), total potassium (K), available nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and available potassium (K) were higher in rhizosphere soil of intercropping peanut than monoculture peanut, and the content of total P was higher in rhizosphere soil of intercropping sugarcane than monoculture sugarcane. Sugarcane/peanut intercropping also significantly increased the activities of acid phosphatase and urease in rhizosphere soil. The metabolomics results showed that 32 metabolites, mainly organic acids and their derivatives (25.00%), nucleotides and their metabolites (18.75%), were detected in root and rhizosphere soil samples. In the MP-S (rhizosphere soil of monoculture peanut) vs. IP-S (rhizosphere soil of intercropping peanut) comparison, 47 differential metabolites (42 upregulated) were screened, including glycerolipids (19.15%), organic acids and their derivatives (17.89%), and amino acids and their metabolites (12.77%). In the MS-S (rhizosphere soil of monoculture sugarcane) vs. IS-S (rhizosphere soil of intercropping sugarcane) comparison, 51 differential metabolites (26 upregulated) were screened, including heterocyclic compounds (15.69%), glycerolipids (11.76%), and organic acids and their derivatives (9.80%). The metabolite species from MP-S, MS-S, IP-S, and IS-S were similar, but some metabolite contents were significantly different, such as adenine, adenosine, maltotriose, thermozeaxanthin-13 and PE-NMe (20:0/24:0). Adenine and adenosine were detected in root and rhizosphere soils, and their levels were increased in the intercropping treatment, which were mainly related to enhanced purine metabolism in root and rhizosphere soils under the sugarcane/peanut intercropping system. Importantly, adenine and adenosine were significantly positively correlated with total P and total K contents, acid phosphatase and urease activities, and pH. This study clarified that the sugarcane/peanut intercropping system could improve soil nutrients and enzymes and was related to purine metabolism.

Melon/cowpea intercropping pattern influenced the N and C soil cycling and the abundance of soil rare bacterial taxa.

The high use of pesticides, herbicides, and unsustainable farming practices resulted in losses of soil quality. Sustainable farming practices such as intercropping could be a good alternative to traditional monocrop, especially using legumes such as cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). In this study, different melon and cowpea intercropping patterns (melon mixed with cowpea in the same row (MC1); alternating one melon row and one cowpea row (MC2); alternating two melon rows and one cowpea row (MC3)) were assayed to study the intercropping effect on soil bacterial community through 16S rRNA region in a 3-year experiment. The results indicated that intercropping showed high content of total organic carbon, total nitrogen and ammonium, melon yield, and bacterial diversity as well as higher levels of beneficial soil microorganisms such a Pseudomonas, Aeromicrobium, Niastella, or Sphingomonas which can promote plant growth and plant defense against pathogens. Furthermore, intercropping showed a higher rare taxa diversity in two (MC1 and MC2) out of the three intercropping systems. In addition, N-cycling genes such as nirB, nosZ, and amoA were more abundant in MC1 and MC2 whereas the narG predicted gene was far more abundant in the intercropping systems than in the monocrop at the end of the 3-year experiment. This research fills a gap in knowledge about the importance of soil bacteria in an intercropping melon/cowpea pattern, showing the benefits to yield and soil quality with a decrease in N fertilization.

Early Bolting, Yield, and Quality of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels Responses to Intercropping Patterns.

Intercropping is a sustainable method for cultivating medicinal herbs since it requires lower dependence on chemical fertilizers than a sole cropping system. In this study, we compared the effects of sole cropping and intercropping on early bolting, yield, and the chemical composition of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. Field experiments were conducted, in 2018 and in 2019, using different cropping systems including sole cropping of A. sinensis (AS), sole cropping of Vicia faba (VF), and intercropping (without fertilization) at three ratios: one row of A. sinensis + three rows of V. faba, AS/VF (1:3), two rows of A. sinensis + two rows V. faba, AS/VF (2:2), three rows of A. sinensis + one row V. faba, AS/VF (3:1). The effect of each cropping system was evaluated by measuring the dry biomass of V. faba and the dry biomass, ferulic acid content, and essential oil content and composition of A. sinensis. The early bolting rate of A. sinensis was significantly lower in the intercropping system as compared with that in a sole cropping system. The AS/VF (3:1) intercropping pattern resulted in an optimal yield and the highest ferulic acid content of A. sinensis, highest dry biomass of V. faba, and highest land equivalent ratio (LER). Additionally, the A. sinensis was more aggressive (the aggressivity value of A. sinensis was positive, and its competitive ratio was &gt;1) under AS/VF (3:1) intercropping pattern, and it dominated over V. faba (which had negative aggressivity values and a competitive ratio of &lt;1) under AS/VF (3:1) intercropping pattern. Ligustilide was the most dominant component of the essential oil of A. sinensis, regardless of the cropping system; however, the chemical component of essential oil was not influenced by intercropping patterns. Overall, the AS/VF (3:1) intercropping pattern without fertilization was the most productive, with the highest LER and ferulic acid content. These data indicate that intercropping can serve as an alternative for reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and intercropping also decreases the early bolting rate of A. sinensis, thus, enabling its sustainable production.

Evaluation of Comprehensive Effect of Different Agroforestry Intercropping Modes on Poplar

Forest–agriculture complex management is an efficient planting mode that can effectively improve soil utilization and bring greater economic value. However, this planting model has not yet been systematically carried out in the northeast of China. Thus, to provide a theoretical basis for agriculture and forestry intercropping in northeast China, the variation in the growth and wood characteristics of Populus cathayana × canadansis ‘xin lin 1’ and the economic benefits of intercropping crops under different intercropping patterns were analyzed. The results of a variance analysis show that there were significant differences in tree growth and wood characteristics among the different intercropping modes (p &lt; 0.01). The variation coefficients of growth and wood characteristics ranged from 28.23% to 55.79% and 2.03% to 10.65%, respectively. There were significant correlations among tree height, diameter at breast height, ground diameter and wood volume of ‘P. ‘xin lin 1’, as well as between cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, fiber length and fiber aspect ratio (r &lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, we comprehensively evaluated intercropping modes based on growth traits such as tree height, chest diameter, diameter, wood volume and crown width. The ‘P. ‘xin lin 1’ + soybean’ mode proved to be the best intercropping mode, in which the gain of tree height, chest diameter, diameter, wood volume and crown width were 26.80%, 20.09%, 15.76%, 63.41% and 8.33%, respectively. When considering wood traits, the optimal intercropping pattern was ‘P. ‘xin lin 1’ + Cilantro + Cabbage’, but the gain of each wood trait in this pattern was not obvious compared with the total average. Among the six intercropping modes, ‘P. ‘xin lin 1’ + Watermelon + Chinese cabbage’ and ‘P. ‘xin lin 1’ + Cilantro + Chinese cabbage’ have the highest economic benefits, reaching 48,138 CNY/hm2 and 39,990 CNY/hm2, respectively. From our results, the poplar growth and wood characteristics under different intercropping modes are better than those of the pure forest, except for ‘P. ‘xin lin 1’ + Corn’, and each intercropping mode has higher economic benefits. These findings provide a scientific basis for alleviating the competition between local forestry and agriculture for land and address the selection of forestry and agricultural intercropping modes.

Environmental risk due to the accumulation of metals in Sedum alfredii under different intercropping patterns during phytoremediation

AbstractA field experiment was conducted to evaluate the environmental risk of phytoextraction of Cd, Cu, and Pb using Sedum alfredii Hance. with different intercropping patterns. Three receptors representing invertebrates (earthworms), avians (yellow‐feathered chickens), and small mammalian omnivores (Rattus losea) were selected as the potentially impacted environmental receptors. Soil deglutition and food ingestion are considered dominant pathways of metal exposure. Different planting patterns, including S. alfredii monoculture and S. alfredii intercropped (coordinate and malposed) with Cicer arietinum L., were used to evaluate the mobilization, absorption, and migration of Cd during phytoextraction. This study revealed that the intercropping systems, particularly the malposed intercropping patterns, significantly increased the Cd decontamination efficiency by 31.3% and enhanced the content of Cu and Pb in the aboveground tissues of the intercropped C. arietinum. Correspondingly, different planting patterns resulted in varying environmental risks. For the omnivores, which primarily consume earthworms and plant tissues, the hazard index was 0.096 for the S. alfredii monoculture, and the index decreased to 0.074 and 0.090 in the coordinate and malposed intercropping patterns, respectively. The environmental risk might be induced by the increased Cd concentrations in the roots and shoots of S. alfredii. When extrapolating the results of this treatment to the entire region, all the environmental hazard index values of the receptors were higher than 1.0. This study suggests that if a phytoextraction method is used for metal decontamination, corresponding prevention strategies should be established to prevent the diffusion of concentrated metals to higher trophic levels via the food chain.

Aktivitas Nitrat Reduktase (ANR) Tanaman Jagung pada Pola Tumpangsari yang Diberi Serasah Jagung-Kedelai serta Biochar di Lahan Suboptimal Sidondo Sulawesi Tengah

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between nitrate reductase activity and N uptake, tissue N content, N uptake, and chlorophyll content of corn plants in intercropping patterns which are given corn-soybean litter and biochar. The use of plant litter and biochar derived from crop residues as a source of organic matter in different intercropping patterns affected nitrate reductase activity, tissue N content, N uptake, and chlorophyll content of maize. This experiment was carried out on sub-optimal Sidondo land, Central Sulawesi with the main limiting factors being the availability of water and alkaline soil pH (7.21) which were arranged in a divided plot design with five litter treatments as subplots and five cropping patterns as the main plot with three replicates. Parameters observed were N levels, plant tissue N uptake, chlorophyll, and nitrate reductase activity. Collected data were analyzed using Anova and Duncan's multiple random tests. The results showed that corn litter, soybean mixed corn + soybean litter and their biochar in different intercropping patterns affected nitrate reductase activity, nitrogen uptake, chlorophyll levels very significantly (P˂0.01), increased nitrate reductase activity by 9710.86 mol NO2- -1g-1hour-1 at the age of 55 DAP, while N uptake (2237 mg.kg-1), tissue N content (4.33%), and total chlorophyll content (10.61 mg.l-1) were the highest in the litter treatment, corn and soybeans as well as biochar in corn and soybean intercropping (1:2), and (2:4). Thus, the provision of corn and soybean litter and biochar in intercropping systems can increase nitrate reductase activity, N uptake, tissue N levels, and corn chlorophyll levels in the corn-soybean intercropping system.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: chlorophyll, N content of corn plant tissue, nitrate reductase activity, N uptake

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.