Land Equivalent Ratio Values Research Articles

Glasswort as a Strategic Crop in Coastal Wetlands: Intercropping Results with Swiss Chard

The Mediterranean region is experiencing severe droughts and unprecedented high temperatures. In terms of salinity, about 18 million ha of land, or 25% of the total irrigated area in the Mediterranean, is salt affected. The use of halophytes as intercropping species to mitigate the effects of salt stress is attractive. Halophytes have a great capacity to maintain their productivity in this extreme environment, thus supporting climate-appropriate agriculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the productivity of Salicornia europaea L. subsp. ramosissima (glasswort) under field conditions and high soil salinity, grown as a sole crop (monocropping) and as a companion crop (intercropping) with Beta vulgaris L. subsp. cicla (Swiss chard) in a 1:1 cropping pattern. The field trials were conducted in the coastal wetland “King’s Lagoon”, a private nature reserve in the Apulia/Puglia region (southern Italy), during two consecutive spring–summer seasons in 2023 and 2024 and under different management conditions of irrigation and fertilization. These were performed to test for possible interaction effects. The results showed that both glasswort and chard can be grown sustainably under slightly saline conditions (ECe range 4–8 dS m−1). In contrast, strongly saline conditions (ECe > 16 dS m−1) were prohibitive for chard, both as a sole crop and as an intercrop, but were largely beneficial for glasswort. Swiss chard can benefit from intercropping with glasswort when soil salinity is still tolerable (6.9 dS m−1), showing an LER (Land Equivalent Ratio) ≥ 1.19. Meanwhile, glasswort did not significantly improve the growth of the companion crop (Swiss chard) when the soil was considerably saline (16.6 dS m−1). Higher LER values were observed when the contribution of chard to the intercrop performance was significantly greater than that of glasswort, i.e., under slightly saline conditions. This means that glasswort can have a significant positive effect on chard growth and productivity as long as soil is still moderately saline. Glasswort can therefore be considered a valuable model crop in extreme environments. The integration of glasswort (possibly together with other local halophytes) into diversified cropping systems on saline marginal soils is a promising sustainable agricultural practice in environmentally fragile areas such as wetlands, swamps, brackish areas, and marshes.

Enhancing Soil Health and Crop Productivity in Andisol Through Wheat- Fabaceae Intercropping

ABSTRACT Andisols are the least extensive soil order, accounting for less than 1% of Earth´s surface. Chile occupies 50% of the country´s land area for cereal production and is of great importance to agriculture. However, few studies have investigated the performance of cereal production under intercropping in P-deficient Andisols. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different Fabaceae species and wheat in an intercropping system on root morphology and soil properties. A 2-year field experiment was conducted using a completely randomized block experimental design with a factorial arrangement with two different phosphorus levels and cropping systems (wheat monoculture, wheat/lupine, and wheat/chickpea intercropping). Bulk soil samples were collected from a field that had been cultivated with wheat. Chemical properties, basal soil respiration, and enzymatic activity were measured. The morphological characteristics of wheat roots and crop yield were also determined. According to the multiple linear regression model (p < .001), this relative yield was related to an increase in phosphatase activity and root biomass. Furthermore, the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) of the wheat/lupine intercrop surpassed 1 in both seasons, indicating improved soil and nutrient utilization. In contrast, the wheat/chickpea intercrops had LER values lower than one during the second season. This confirmed that wheat/lupine intercropping is a recommended practice for enhancing ecosystem services and agricultural production in Andisols.

A Study of the Effect of Sorghum Varieties and Cowpea Intercropping on Land Productivity and Competition Index in Fedis District, Eastern Ethiopia

Now a day human population increasing rapidly and cause land shortage land degradation, and poor soil fertility. Intercropping provides an opportunity to harness available resources by the cultivation of two or more crops planted simultaneously in the same land to produced cereal-legume for food and feed. A field study was conducted in Fedis District in 2018 to determine the impact of intercropping early maturing sorghum varieties and cowpeas on the land productivity and competition index. With a total of 11 treatments; two cowpea cultivars (9333 and 9334) and three varieties of early maturing sorghum (Teshale, Birhan and Melkam), their intercropping and sole cropping were determined using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Intercropping of sorghum-cowpea varieties produced significantly higher total land productivity than sole cropping of both varieties. The value of land equivalent ratio ranges from 1.21 for Sorghum (Teshale) + Cowpea (9334) to 1.36 for sorghum (Birhan) + cowpea (9333) and the overall mean was obtained as 1.30. The Percentage of the land saved of grain yields obtained was ranges 17.37% to 26.47% from of sorghum Teshale + cowpea varieties (9334) to sorghum Birhan + cowpea varieties (9333) and for Biomass yield production recorded from 27.01% to 36.71% that obtained from sorghum Melkam + cowpea (9333) and sorghum Birhan + cowpea (9334). Intercropped of sorghum-cowpea over all mean 23.25% for grain yield and 31.515% for biomass land was saved than sowing alone. Based on the result sorghum-cowpea intercropped, had the strength of relationship interaction and compatible; preferably sorghum Melkam + cowpea (9333) appropriate to increase the productions in study area and with similar agro-ecology.

Intercropping Legumes Covers with Maize on Soil Moisture Improvement in Selected Dry Land Areas of Basketo Special Woreda’s, Ethiopia

Intercropping provides sufficient scope to include two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land, targeting higher land productivity. There is limited experimental evidence on the benefits of intercropping systems, which remains largely unstudied. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of intercropping on soil moisture conservation in a moisture-stressed area. For this study, a randomized complete block design was used to establish experimental plots with three replications. Five treatments were evaluated, including maize only, lablab only, cowpea only, lablab with maize, and cowpea with maize. Disturbed soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–30 cm and composited for soil moisture and physicochemical property analysis. The yield and biomass of maize and legume shrubs were collected from each plot, and the variations were analyzed using the general linear model. The land equivalent ratio (LER) was computed to evaluate land productivity. The result showed that higher soil moisture content was recorded on maize-cowpea intercrop (34.33%), followed by maize-lablab intercrop (31.20%) relative to sole maize (26.83%) at the development stage in the first-year trial. This implies the benefit of legume shrubs on soil moisture conservation, both under mono-cropped and intercropped conditions. In this trial, the highest LER values were obtained for maize intercropped with Lablab 1.44 at Angila 4 kebele, while at Angila 3 kebele, the highest LER values were obtained for maize intercropped with cowpea 1.29. Therefore, conducting similar studies for more than two years on permanent field plots is vital to achieving considerable changes in soil moisture and soil physicochemical properties, as well as helping farmers make better use of cereal-legume intercropping systems to increase yields in moisture-stress areas. Keywords: Intercropping; Legume; Land equivalent ratio; Soil moisture; Yield

The Effects of Intercropping Narrowleaf Lupine with Cereals under Variable Mineral Nitrogen Fertilization

Intercropping of legumes and cereals can bring many benefits to agriculture, including an increase in yield and the quality of the crops obtained. In addition, it is possible to reduce mineral fertilization, which can have a positive impact on the environment. The aim of the field research conducted in 2021–2023 in central Poland was to evaluate the yields obtained, the content and yield of total protein and the value of land equivalent ratio in the intercropping of narrowleaf lupine with cereals at different seeding levels of components and variable mineral nitrogen fertilization. The following factors were tested: 1—share of components in the sowing: narrowleaf lupine (NL) 120 seeds m−2; spring barley (SB) 300 seeds m−2; M1—NL 30 + SB 225 seeds m−2; M2—NL 60 + SB 150 seeds m−2; M3—NL 90 + SB 75 seeds m−2; spring triticale (ST) 450 seeds m−2; M4—NL 30 + ST 340 seeds m−2; M5—NL 60 + ST 225 seeds m−2; M6—NL 90 + ST 115 seeds m−2; 2—mineral fertilization with nitrogen 0, 20, 40, 60 kg N ha−1. The most favorable results were obtained with mixtures containing 60 + 150 seeds m2 of narrowleaf lupine + spring barley and 90 + 115 seeds m−2 of narrowleaf lupine + spring triticale. In addition, the favorable results and the lack of significant differences at fertilization of 40 and 60 kg N ha−1 show the possibility of a limited dose of mineral nitrogen fertilization. Sowing narrowleaf lupine with spring barley at a ratio of 60 + 150 seeds m2 or with spring triticale at a ratio of 90 + 115 seeds m−2 and fertilizing with 40 kg N ha−1 can be recommended for agricultural practice. The proposed management technique ensures high yields of good quality and thus can be an interesting solution for sustainable cultivation and be successfully implemented on farms.

Optimizing fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) oil yield and compositions in intercropping through growth-promoting bacteria and mycorrhiza

IntroductionBiofertilizers and intercropping are two main components in sustainable production systems.Materials and methodsA two-year (2020–2021) study was conducted in East Azarbaijan, Iran, to evaluate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), growth-promoting bacteria (GPB) and chemical fertilizer (CF) on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) (F) oil yield and compositions in intercropping with Moldavian balm (Dracocephalam mobdavica L.) (MB). The cropping patterns included MB sole cropping, fenugreek sole cropping (F) and replacement intercropping ratios consisted of Moldavian balm : fenugreek (MB:F (1:1)), MB:F (2:2) and MB:F (4:2) and additive intercropping of MB:F (100:50).ResultsFor both years, among the intercropping patters, the highest seed and oil yields were obtained in MB:F (100:50) intercropping pattern treated with CF and AMF+GPB. In all cropping patterns except MB:F (4:2), the highest anthocyanin, total flavonoid, and mucilage contents were observed in plants received AMF+GPB. At all treatments, the linoleic, oleic, and linolenic acid were the main components of fenugreek oil. In MB:F (1:1), (2:2), (4:2), and (100:50) intercropping patterns, the linoleic acid content in AMF+GPB treatment, increased by 9.45%, 6.63%, 15.20%, and 7.82%, respectively, compared with sole fenugreek. The highest total land equivalent ratio (LERT) values were obtained in 2021 and MB:F (100:50) intercropping pattern treated with CF (1.70) and AMF+GPB (1.63).ConclusionsIn general, it could be concluded that MB:F (100:50) intercropping pattern treated with AMF+GPB improved the oil yield and unsaturated fatty acid contents of fenugreek compared with sole cropping and could be recommended in sustainable production systems.

Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea Mays L.) As Influenced by Cropping Systems and Different Npk20:10:10 Compound Fertilizer Rates

Field trials were conducted during the 2022 and 2023 cropping seasons at Prince Abubakar Audu University Research and Students Demonstration farm, Anyigba, to evaluate and compare the growth and yield performance of maize under three cropping systems and four NPK20:10:10 compound fertilizer rates. A sole crop of maize was initially established at the four fertilizer rates tested, using the randomized complete block design, and replicated three times. For the purpose of double cropping, maize seeds were replanted after the harvest of the sole crop maize, while a second crop of maize, also grown for the harvest of dry grains, was sown in between the rows of the sole crop maize in relay cropping, as soon as tasselling began. Maize data collected included plant height, days to first tasseling, days to 50 % tasseling, cob length at harvest, number of grains per cob, 1000-grain weight and grain yield per hectare. Results showed non-significant interactions (P˃0.05) of cropping system and fertilizer rate for most parameters measured, except plant height at 3, 6 and 9 WAP and 1000-grain weight. Averaged over two years, grain yield was higher under mono-cropping but was different (P˂0.05) only under relay cropping, where the lowest grain yield was obtained. The higher land equivalent ratio values of double cropping over relay intercropping across the fertilizer rates tested suggest that it is a better system for increasing maize production in the zone.

Intercropped Maize and Cowpea Increased the Land Equivalent Ratio and Enhanced Crop Access to More Nitrogen and Phosphorus Compared to Cultivation as Sole Crops

Sub-Saharan African smallholder farmers face challenges due to limited access to commercial fertilizers, affecting food security. Exploring the benefits of intercropping is promising, but evaluating crop performance in specific agroecological contexts is crucial. This study in Vilankulo, Mozambique, conducted over two growth seasons (2018 and 2019), aimed to assess the benefits of intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L., Walp) (M+C) compared to maize (M) and cowpea (C) as sole crops. Key variables for comparison included dry matter yield (DMY), land equivalent ratio (LER), competitive ratio (CR), tissue nutrient concentration, nutrient recovery, and apparent N fixation (ANF). This study also examined the effects on cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.), cultivated as a succeeding crop, and soil properties. In 2018, maize plants were severely affected by drought and did not produce grain. This year, cowpea grain yields were 2.26 and 1.35 t ha−1 when grown as sole crop or intercropped. In 2019, maize grain yield was 6.75 t ha−1 when intercropped, compared to 5.52 t ha−1 as a sole crop. Cowpea grain yield was lower when intercropped (1.51 vs. 2.25 t ha−1). LER values exceeded 1 (1.91 and 1.53 for grain and straw in 2019), indicating improved performance in intercropping compared to sole crops. In 2019, CR was 1.96 for maize grain and 0.58 for cowpea grain, highlighting the higher competitiveness of maize over cowpea. Cowpea exhibited higher average leaf nitrogen (N) concentration (25.4 and 37.6 g kg−1 in 2018 and 2019, respectively) than maize (13.0 and 23.7 g kg−1), attributed to its leguminous nature with access to atmospheric N, benefiting the growth of maize in intercropping and cabbage cultivated as a succeeding crop. Cowpea also appears to have contributed to enhanced phosphorus (P) absorption, possibly due to access to sparingly soluble P forms. In 2019, ANF in M+C was 102.5 kg ha−1, over 4-fold higher than in C (25.0 g kg−1), suggesting maize accessed more N than could cowpea provide, possibly through association with endophytic diazotrophs commonly found in tropical grasses.

Peanut-based intercropping systems altered soil bacterial communities, potential functions, and crop yield.

Intercropping is an efficient land use and sustainable agricultural practice widely adopted worldwide. However, how intercropping influences the structure and function of soil bacterial communities is not fully understood. Here, the effects of five cropping systems (sole sorghum, sole millet, sole peanut, sorghum/peanut intercropping, and millet/peanut intercropping) on soil bacterial community structure and function were investigated using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The results showed that integrating peanut into intercropping systems increased soil available nitrogen (AN) and total nitrogen (TN) content. The alpha diversity index, including Shannon and Chao1 indices, did not differ between the five cropping systems. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) illustrated a distinct separation in soil microbial communities among five cropping systems. Bacterial phyla, including Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi, were dominant across all cropping systems. Sorghum/peanut intercropping enhanced the relative abundance of phyla Actinobacteriota and Chloroflexi compared to the corresponding monocultures. Millet/peanut intercropping increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, and Nitrospirota. The redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that bacterial community structures were primarily shaped by soil organic carbon (SOC). The land equivalent ratio (LER) values for the two intercropping systems were all greater than one. Partial least squares path modeling analysis (PLS-PM) showed that soil bacterial community had a direct effect on yield and indirectly affected yield by altering soil properties. Our findings demonstrated that different intercropping systems formed different bacterial community structures despite sharing the same climate, reflecting changes in soil ecosystems caused by interspecific interactions. These results will provide a theoretical basis for understanding the microbial communities of peanut-based intercropping and guide agricultural practice.

FIELD ASSESSMENT OF YIELD PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE AND OKRA INTERCROPPING SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal crop and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is one of the most nutritious vegetable crops. People of Bangladesh have taken nutrients from these crops. A field experiment was conducted from October 2022 to March 2023 cropping season, at Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, to evaluate the effects of different cropping patterns on performance of maize-okra mixture and to find out the suitable cropping system. The experiment has consisted of four cropping systems, which consisted of one row of maize alternated with one row of okra (1M:1Ok), one row of maize alternated with two rows of okra (1M:2Ok), one stand of maize alternated with one stand of okra (1sM: 1sOk) and one stand of maize alternated with two stands of okra (1sM: 2sOk), while the sole crops of maize and okra constituted the fifth and sixth cropping pattern. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and three replicates of each treatment. The results of the present study showed that alternating intercropping pattern 1M:1Ok produced the highest yield of maize &amp; okra and the highest land equivalent ratio (LER) value of 1.96 as well as saved the maximum percentage of land (49.14%) compared to other tested intercropping patterns. While, the intercropping system, 1sM: 2sOk explored the lowest in all characters. It may be concluded, therefore, 1M:1Ok could be used as an alternative intercropping pattern in cropping system in Bangladesh. And it is also recommended that further investigation be done to assess the effect of maize and okra intercropping patterns widely in different locations of Bangladesh.

Common millet and soybean intercropping with bio-fertilizer as sustainable practice for managing grain yield and quality

Climate changes are one of the biggest threats to food security. Sustainable agriculture, focused on eco-friendly practices for highly efficient food production, enables greater resilience and safety. This study experimented on intercropping and bio-fertilizer application as convenient ecological solutions for crop yield stability and quality. The experiment was conducted during 2018 and 2020 with soybean and common millet sown in three sowing patterns: alternating rows, alternating strips 1 (2 rows of soybean + 2 rows of millet), and alternating strips 2 (2 rows of soybean + 4 rows of millet), as well as sole crops (control), with or without a bio-fertilizer Coveron. Grain yield and nutrient grain yield response were calculated through land equivalent ratio (LER) and element-LER (E-LER), while quality was estimated based on the concentration of antioxidants (phytate phosphorus, total phenolic compounds, and yellow pigment) and elements in grains, including potential bio-availability of essential elements. Results revealed LER values to be &amp;gt;1 for all sowing patterns, with the highest one achieved in alternating strips 1 (1.38) together with a greater level of all antioxidants in millet grain. Intercropping significantly enhanced Fe and Mn accumulation in both crops and simultaneously decreased the concentration of potentially toxic elements (Al, Cr) in millet grain. Potential bio-availability of essential elements, expressed through the ratio between phytic acid and Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn revealed smaller values in intercropped soybean and millet with the bio-fertilizer. The bio-fertilizer also increased the concentration of some micro-elements in millet grain, classifying it as a highly dependent plant to microbial inoculation. Interaction of intercropping and bio-fertilizer was most pronounced for LER, E-LER, and accumulation of Fe and Mn in grains. These results highlighted the benefits of soybean–common millet intercropping, especially in combination with the bio-fertilizer, in light of enhanced land utilization and nutrient absorption, thus increasing the resilience of soybean and millet under dry land conditions and low-input systems toward stability and food security.

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.

Directly linking plant N, P and K nutrition to biomass production in cotton-based intercropping systems

Growth performance under intercropping relies heavily on the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels of the plants involved. However, few studies on intercropping advantages have established a direct link between growth performance and plant nutrient uptake. Using a 3-year field study (2019–2021) with four cotton-based cropping systems (cotton monoculture and garlic/cotton, peanut/cotton, and wheat/cotton intercropping) and three root partitions (no, mesh, and plastic), we measured the biomass and nutrient concentrations of cotton organs to explain differences in nutrient uptake between monoculture and intercropping. Additionally, the contributions of these nutrients to agricultural biomass under monoculture and intercropping were distinguished. Intercropping significantly increased the biomass of cotton aboveground parts by 15.5%, with the peanut/cotton intercropping system showing the greatest improvement. Intercropping also increased aboveground N, P and K concentrations and contents. In terms of cotton partial land equivalent ratio (pLER) values based on aboveground biomass, the root partitions ranked plastic > mesh > no. The relative N, P, and K content totals of intercropped cotton were higher than the pLER for biomass, indicating that the greater biomass under intercropping was accompanied by even greater percentage increases in the pools of N, P and K relative to those under monoculture. In the three intercropping systems, enhanced nutrient uptake was driven similarly by increases in plant nutrient concentration and biomass. Compared with cotton monoculture, intercropping improved the biomass production contributions of N by 46.7%, P by 57.3%, and K by 106%. Thus, intercropping enhanced plant nutritional potential to produce more biomass, and the yield benefit was amplified when belowground competition between intercrops was partially (or fully) diminished by root partitions.

Increasing sustainability by intercropping legume crops with sugar beet under imposed water stress

AbstractThe sustainable use of soil and water resources is a goal that should be pursued to attain food security. This investigation was implemented to compare the effects of three legume intercropping systems with sugar beet on (i) enhancing sugar beet yield under imposed water stress conditions, (ii) soil N contents, (iii) land and water use efficiencies, and (iv) farmers' net income. Two field experiments were carried out in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons in the El‐Minia Governorate, Egypt. The treatments included the interaction between three irrigation treatments: required irrigation ((control, 100% ETc, RI) and two levels of imposed water stress (85% ETc (WS1) and 70% ETc (WS2)), and three intercropping systems: faba bean (FIS), chickpea (CIS) and lentil (LIS) intercropped with sugar beet. The results indicate that the application of implementing CIS and with RI attained higher average values of soil N content (SNC = 14.0 mg kg−1) and net income (NI = US$3,974 ha−1) than those obtained by sugar beet alone. Irrigation with WS1 and the implementation of CIS gave a value of SNC (12.3 mg kg−1) close to that obtained under sugar beet alone irrigated with RI. CIS irrigated with WS1 attained higher averaged values of land equivalent ratio (LER = 1.34), area time equivalent ratio (ATER = 1.28), land equivalent coefficient (LEC = 0.38), water equivalent ratio (WER = 1.12), negative value of change in water use (ΔWU &lt; 0) and NI (US$3,602 ha−1) than those obtained under FIS or LIS irrigated with RI. In conclusion, implementing CIS and irrigation with RI can achieve the sustainable use of land and water. However, implementing CIS and irrigation with WS1 can realize soil improvement, conserve irrigation water and attain higher values of LER, ATER, LEC, WER, and NI than those obtained under FIS, LIS and sugar beet alone.

Interspecific Competition as Affected by Nitrogen Application in Sweet Corn–Soybean Intercropping System

Corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) intercropping is one of the main traditional intercropping systems used. We hypothesized that sweet corn–soybean intercropping with reduced nitrogen application could improve the crops’ fresh grain yield and nitrogen acquisition. We clarified whether sweet corn intercropped with soybean has the advantages of improved crop yield and carbon and nitrogen accumulation and assessed interspecific competition in the intercropping systems. A four-year (2017–2020) field experiment was conducted with three nitrogen application levels (0, 150, and 300 kg∙ha−1) and three planting patterns (monocropped sweet corn, monocropped soybean, sweet corn–soybean intercropping) at Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China. The LER (land equivalent ratio), AG (aggressivity), and CR (competitive ratio) were calculated using the fresh grain yield and nitrogen and carbon accumulation of sweet corn and soybean. The LER values were greater than 1.0 in most of the intercropped patterns, except for the value based on the crops’ fresh grain yield without nitrogen application in 2020. Sweet corn had greater values of CR and AG than soybean in the intercropping system. Compared with common nitrogen application (300 kg∙ha−1), reduced nitrogen application (150 kg∙ha−1) did not significantly reduce the LER or the average CR and AG values. Under reduced nitrogen application, the values of LER, CR, and AG, based on the crops’ fresh grain yield and nitrogen acquisition, were not significantly different between the four years. In conclusion, based on the LER, CR, and AG, sweet corn–soybean intercropping had the advantage of crop yield and nitrogen acquisition, and sweet corn was the superior competitor. Sweet corn–soybean intercropping with nitrogen application (150 kg N ha−1) showed good inter-annual stability of crop productivity and competitiveness of the sweet corn.

Application of Bio-Fertilizers Improves Forage Quantity and Quality of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Intercropped with Soybean (Glycine max L.).

In recent years, application of bio-fertilizers (BFs) in intercropping systems has become known as one of the main sustainable and eco-friendly strategies for improving the quantity and quality of forage crops. In order to evaluate the forage quantity and quality of sorghum intercropped with soybean, a two-year field experiment was carried out as factorial based on a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with three replications. The first factor was different cropping patterns including soybean monocultures with densities of 40 and 50 plants m-2 (G40 and G50), sorghum monocultures with densities of 10 and 15 plants m-2 (S10 and S15) and intercropping of two plants with the mentioned densities. The second factor was non-application (control) and application of bio-fertilizers. The results demonstrated that the highest dry forage yield of sorghum (21.22 t ha-1) was obtained in monoculture conditions with density of 15 plants m-2 and inoculation with bio-fertilizer (S15+BF). The maximum crude protein (CP = 149.6 g kg-1 DM), ash (113.2 g kg-1 DM), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC = 251.16 g kg-1 DM), dry matter intake (DMI = 26.83 g kg-1 of body weight), digestible dry matter (DDM = 668.01 g kg-1 DM), total digestible nutrients (TDN = 680.42 g kg-1 DM), relative feed value (RFV = 142.98%) and net energy for lactation (NEL = 1.625 Mcal kg-1) were observed in the intercropping of S10G50 inoculated with BF. Interestingly, application of bio-fertilizers enhanced the content of CP, ash, WSC, DMI, DDM, TDN, RFV and NEL by 7.5, 8, 11.7, 3.6, 2.3, 12.3, 5.9 and 3.5% when compared with the control (non-application of bio-fertilizers). In all intercropping patterns, the total land equivalent ratio (LER) value was greater than one, representing the advantage of these cropping patterns in comparison with sorghum monoculture. The highest total LER was recorded in the intercropping of S15G40 and S10G50 following application of BF. Additionally, the highest monetary advantage index (MAI) was calculated in the intercropping of S15G40+BF. Generally, it can be concluded that the intercropping of S10G50 along with bio-fertilizer inoculation could be suggested as an eco-friendly strategy for improving the forage quantity and quality under low-input conditions.

Evaluation of Competitive Indices Between Caraway and Garlic as Affected by Intercropping System and Potassium Fertilization Level

During the winters of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, an experiment was done on a private farm in Taha El-Marg Village, Diarb Negm District, Al Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. The purpose of these studies was to examine the impact of intercropping systems using caraway and garlic at varying row ratios (single crop of each as control, 1:2, 2:1, and 2: 2, respectively) and potassium rates (0.0, 25, 50, and 75 kg K2O/feddan) on competitive indices between the two crops. Plots consisted in the intercropping systems and the subplots were constituted by the potassium fertilization rates. Alternating two rows of caraway with one row of garlic significantly increased land equivalent ratio (LER), area× time equivalent ratio (ATER) and land utilization efficiency (LUE%) compared to the other intercropping systems. Under the highest potassium fertilization level, the highest values of LER (1.17 and 1.10), ATER (1.09 and 1.04) and LUE% (112.82 and 107.00%) were achieved. In general applied intercropping systems (1:2 or 2: 2 systems) were more efficient than sole cropping and other one under study when combined with potassium fertilization rate at 75 kg K2O/feddan, in most cases. Both competitive ratio (CR) and Aggressivity (A) estimation showed that caraway was dominant while garlic was dominated.

Intercropping red chili with leguminous crops to improve crop diversity and farmers’ resilience to climate change effects in dryland

This study aimed to explore the potential benefits of intercropping and determine the best time to sow leguminous crops between the rows of red chili or chili crops. Two leguminous crops, mungbean, and peanut were intercropped with chili in a dryland area of Gumantar, North Lombok, Indonesia. The leguminous seeds were sown five times; at the same time, a week, two weeks, three weeks, and four weeks after transplanting the chili seedlings. The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. The size of each treatment plot was 600 × 100 cm, and the chili crops’ spacing was 60 × 60 cm. Three rows of leguminous crops were sown between the rows of chili crops with a spacing of 20 × 20 cm. Monocropping of chili, mungbean, and peanut was also provided in each block to calculate the land equivalent ratio (LER). The results showed that all the intercropping treatments had a LER value of higher than 1.0, indicating the advantage of intercropping over monocropping in terms of land utilization.

Effect of spatial arrangement of faba bean variety intercropping with maize on yield and yield components of the crops

Efficient maize-faba bean intercropping system for optimum grain yield and productivity is needed in order to use the limited land and to enhance food security of the smallholder farmers. A field experiment was conducted at Haramaya, eastern Ethiopia during the 2018 and 2019 main cropping seasons to determine the effect of variety and spatial arrangement on a maize-faba bean intercropping system on yield components and yields of the component crops and the productivity of the system. The treatments consisted of the recommended 100% plant populations of maize (Baate) variety intercropped with 50% of the recommended density of four faba bean varieties (Yeferenji Baqela, Yehabesha Baqela, Batte and Gachena). The component crops were sown at three levels of spatial arrangements (1:1 1:2 and 2:2), whereas sole maize and the four faba beans were sole-planted. The treatments were laid out as a randomized complete block design with three replications in factorial approach. The results revealed that cropping season affected all the maize variables-cropped. Sole-cropped maize gave the higher grain yield (5.91 t ha−1) compared to intercropping system. Maize intercropped with 2:2 spatial arrangements gave the highest grain yield (5.37 t ha−1). Sole-cropped faba bean gave higher seed yield (2.04 t ha−1) than intercropped faba bean. The 1:1 spatial arrangement was superior in number of pods per plant (5.27), aboveground dry biomass (3.81 t ha−1), and seed yield (0.86 t ha−1) to the other spatial arrangements. Variety Gachena was superior to the other varieties in number of pods per plant (5.49), above ground dry biomass (3.77 t ha−1), seed yield (0.88 t ha−1). Land equivalent ratio (LER) was unaffected by variety differences; however, a 26.8% yield advantage was achieved at 1:1 spatial arrangement in which the highest LER (1.268) value was obtained. The highest gross monetary value (GMV) (96,308 ETB ha−1), maize equivalent yield (MEY) (6420.53 kg ha−1) and monetary advantage index (MAI) (17,506) was obtained from Gachena variety. A 1:1 spatial arrangement gave the maximum GMV (94,162 ETB ha−1), MEY (6277.49 kg ha−1) and MAI (18,761). Therefore, it is concluded that intercropping of Gachena variety in a 1:1 spatial arrangement with maize resulted in the highest productivity and economic advantage for the farmers of the study area.

Competition Indices of Forage Turnip Cereal Intercrops in Different Seeding Ratio

The aim of current study was to determine of intercropping forage turnip “FT” with cereals “C” (barley, “B”, wheat “W” and oat “O”) for herbage yield and competitive ratios in Bilecik conditions in 2019-2002 and 2020-2021 growing periods. Plants were sown as sole and in 3 different mixtures (75FT+25C%, 50FT+50C% and 25FT+75C %). Experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. In the study, herbage yield, land equivalent ratio (LER), competitive ratio (CR), aggressivity (A), and actual yield loss (AYL) values were determined. The herbage yield was ranged from 23.91 to 43.24 t ha-1.The highest LER value 50FT+50O% (1.43), while the lowest was in 75FT+25W% (0.94) mixture. It has been determined that the competitive ratios of cereals are higher than forage turnip. Besides, the AYL decreased with the increase in cereals ratio in mixtures.&#x0D; As a result, it was determined that the addition of cereal to the forage turnip increased the herbage yield and the mixtures performed better than the monocrops. Besides, according to the all traits, it was concluded that it would be appropriate to sown forage turnip with barley and oats at a seed rate of 50+50% and 25+75% in Bilecik ecological conditions.