Land Equivalent Ratio Values Research Articles

Effects of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Cultivars for Mixed Cropping with Oats (Avena sativa L.) on Yield and Competition Indices in an Organic Production System.

The benefits of cereal-legume mixed cropping is a sustainable agricultural practice. However, knowledge of the genotypic differences of semi-leafless pea varieties is not enough to help them compete with cereals. In this study, the effects of Lithuania's newest Pisum sativum cultivars ('Egle DS' and 'Lina DS') and, for comparison, a control cultivar ('Jūra DS') established with Avena sativa in mixed cropping system were investigated. Three years of field trials (2018, 2019 and 2020) with four experiments involved three different mixtures of each field pea cultivar with oat. The aboveground biomass of mixed cropped new field pea cultivars was found to be significantly higher: biomass of cultivars 'Egle DS' increased by 17.0% and 'Lina DS' by 7.2% on average compared with the control cultivar 'Jūra DS'. For the mixed cropping system, statistically greater total aboveground biomass was observed with plant ratios of 50% pea + 50% oat and 60% pea + 40% oat compared to peas monocultures. Mixed cropped oat was the dominant species in all tested mixture compositions; however, the highest total grain yield of mixed crops was obtained when new pea 'Lina DS' and 'Egle DS' cultivars were included in the mixtures compared with the control cultivar. The new pea cultivar 'Egle DS' had a greater effect on protein content compared to other tested pea cultivars. In the new pea cultivars 'Lina DS' and 'Egle DS', the higher photosynthetic capacity and aboveground biomass of mixed cropped pea with oat showed mixture effects in the mixed cropped system and could increase total yield compared with pea monoculture. Generally, the new pea cultivars displayed a greater Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) value, resulting in the greatest yield among the mixtures on average for all three years and all four experiments. Future research could optimize the effects of pea cultivar mixtures with cereals to further improve the yield of organic mixed cropping systems.

Exploring avenues for agricultural intensification: A case study for maize-soybean in the Southern US region

CONTEXTCrop intensification is a key aspect for achieving global food security and exploring options for optimizing land use and environmental resources. Following this rationale, a maize (Zea mays L.) – soybean (Glycine max L.) double cropping was tested to intensify current agricultural systems in the Southern region of the United States (US). OBJECTIVEThe aims of this study were to i) assess the feasibility of cultivating maize-soybean double crop in the Southern US, ii) explore the best scenario of maize-soybean crops integrating field data with APSIM crop growth model via calculation of the land equivalent ratio (LER), and iii) evaluate the risk of crop failure for each crop combination. METHODSFor this case study, one year field research and in-silico experiments using 30-years of weather data were analyzed to evaluate the different lengths of growth cycle for both crops for yield, LER, and percentage of success. The feasibility of the maize-soybean sequence was determined by increasing yield gain for the soybean crop while maintaining similar yield for maize crop. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSSimulated LER values ranged from 1.1 to 1.3 with the maize hybrid 110 comparative relative maturity followed by a soybean maturity group 3.0 as the best combination for maximum LER. Lastly, long-term simulations confirmed the low risk associated with maize-soybean double crop sequences across sowing dates. SIGNIFICANCEExpanding the implementation of this farming system could produce additional benefits not only on productivity and land use efficiency but in overall economic return for farmers in the Southern US region.

Mixture of Alfalfa, Orchardgrass, and Tall Fescue Produces Greater Biomass Yield in Southwest China

The current study investigated the influence of mixture composition on the biomass yield and early establishment of legume–grass mixtures. The legume species alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. (A)), white clover (Trifolium repens L. (WC)), and red clover (Trifolium pratense L. (RC)) and grass species orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L. (O)), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (TF)), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. (PR)) were grown in monocultures and in different legume–grass mixtures. Legume–grass mixtures (M1: WC + O + TF; M2: A + O + TF; M3: A + WC + O + TF; M4: RC + WC + O + TF; M5: A + WC + O + TF + PR; M6: RC + WC + O + TF + PR; and M7: A + RC + WC + O + TF + PR) were sown in a legume–grass seeding ratio of 3:7. The results showed that M2 had the greatest two-year average biomass yield (12.92 t ha−1), which was significantly (p < 0.05), 4.7%, 5.4%, 15.8%, and 29.1% greater than that of WC monoculture, M7, M4, and M1, respectively. The grass biomass yield proportions of all mixtures significantly decreased, while legume biomass yield proportions significantly increased in the second year compared to the first year of establishment. The land-equivalent ratio values of M2 and M4 were greater than 1 in each cutting period. The competition rate of grasses gradually decreased with prolonged establishment time. Overall, the biomass yield, legume and grass biomass yield proportions, land equivalent ratio, and competition rate data highlighted that M2 is the best choice to achieve greater productivity and early establishment in southwest China.

Importance of Selection of Cultivars in Wheat–Pea Intercropping Systems for High Productivity

Intercropping is the cultivation of two or more crop species in the same space for a considerable proportion of the growth period. Farmers use cultivars that were bred under monoculture and there are no cultivars that have been evaluated under intercropping systems. The objective of the present study was to evaluate different cultivars of pea and wheat on intercropping systems. The experiment was conducted for two successive growing seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020) at the University Farm of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, using two cultivars of field pea and six cultivars of bread wheat, and all their mixture combinations. The growing seasons, the intercropping treatments, and the cultivars affected the grain yield, the yield components, and the land equivalent ratio (LER) and actual yield loss (AYL) values. The different cultivars showed different responses under the intercropping treatments, indicating that there are cultivars that show higher grain yield in mixtures. Based on the mean grain yield for both growing seasons, the mixture ‘Isard’–‘Mavragani’ showed higher grain yield by 86.5% and 55.7% compared with the mean grain yield of all other mixtures and monocultures, respectively. The total LER value of ‘Isard’–‘Mavragani’ was high in both years: 1.954 and 1.693 in 2018–2019 and 2019–2020, respectively. This multicriteria evaluation of winter wheat and field pea varieties exhibited the need for the selection of appropriate cultivars for intercropping systems that were previously assessed under intercropping conditions before their exploitation from the farmers.

Assessing the Productivity and Socioeconomic Feasibility of Cocoyam and Teak Agroforestry for Food Security

Limited agricultural land areas combined with increasing demands for food require breakthroughs in land use development using agroforestry systems. Intercropping root crops with trees could be an alternative for food production in forest areas. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) farming on dry land within 12- and 42-year-old teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) forests to support local food security. The feasibility assessment took into account both productivity and socio-economic aspects. The agroforestry land productivity was measured using the land equivalent ratio (LER), and our analysis of the cocoyam farming within the teak stands was carried out using the revenue/cost ratio (R/C) at the demonstration plot scale. Furthermore, we also surveyed farmers’ perceptions of the production of cocoyam for food security. The results showed that the R/C values of cocoyam tuber production in agroforestry systems were lower than 1. However, the production rates of cocoyam tubers in the 12-year-old teak stand (48.3% light intensity) and the 42-year-old teak stand (62.5% light intensity) were 2.64 and 2.76 tons/ha, respectively. The overall yields from the teak and cocoyam agroforestry systems were more profitable than those of the monoculture system, as indicated by the LER values of 1.61 and 1.85. Cocoyam production was socially acceptable (77% of respondents) as a smallholder subsistence agroforestry practice to meet food demand. Increasing cocoyam productivity in teak forests requires the adoption of agroforestry silvicultural technology to achieve food security for rural communities. To increase their farming production and income, farmers could apply intensive silvicultural practices. Governmental support that could be provided includes encouraging product diversification and providing assistance for the processing and marketing of cocoyam products.

Intercropping and cover crop effects on maize nitrogen requirement for optimal growth

AbstractIntercropping maize (Zea mays L.) with cover crops (Crotalaria spectabilis and Urochloa ruziziensis) is a sustainable cultivation strategy that can generate ecological benefits combined with grain yield (GY). However, cover crops may require nitrogen (N) fertilization management to be adjusted to obtain a high GY in intercropping systems. This study was carried out over 2 years in southeastern Brazil using randomized complete block design in a split-plot scheme. The plots were composed of three cropping systems: sole maize, maize + U. ruziziensis and maize + C. spectabilis. The subplots consisted of four N levels: 0, 70, 140 and 210 kg/ha. The GY of the maize + U. ruziziensis may be reduced by 13% compared to the sole maize. The GY of the sole maize increased up to 11.3 Mg/ha for 95 kg/ha of N in the first year and 6.7 Mg/ha for 169 kg/ha of N in the second year. The GY of the maize + U. ruziziensis intercropping system showed linear increments of 120 kg/ha for every 10 kg/ha of N applied. In the maize + C. spectabilis intercropping, GY increased up to 9.8 Mg/ha for 201 kg/ha of N in the first year, without any variation during the second year. The land equivalent ratio (LER) of intercropping was increased by more than 35% compared to that of sole maize, and N fertilization increased the LER of the sole maize and maize + U. ruziziensis intercropping. Maize intercropping had higher LER values with greater demand for nitrogen to obtain similar yields compared to sole maize cropping.

The productivity and overall benefits of faba bean-sugar beet intercropping systems interacted with foliar-applied nutrients

Intercropping systems are gaining popularity in developed countries as people become more conscious of the environmental damage caused by the intensive use of nonrenewable resources. Two field experiments were conducted for evaluating three faba bean intercropping systems (FISs) with 100% sugar beet (S-Sole) as follows: 12.5% (FIS12.5%), 25% (FIS25%), and 37.5% (FIS37.5%) of faba bean in addition to the sole faba bean (F-Sole) and sugar beet (S-Sole) under foliar nutrients (FN) with boron (B), zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg) nutrients. The FIS × FN applications were evaluated based on the biological [growth, productivity, and cereal units (CUs)], competition [land equivalent ratio (LER), land equivalent coefficient (LEC), relative crowding coefficient (RCC), and aggressivity (A)] as well as economical [total revenue (TR), net profit (NP), and monetary advantage index (MAI)]. Although intercropping systems lowered crop yields as compared with solitary crops, the economic analysis of FISs showed that intercropping was beneficial, particularly the FIS12.5%, which resulted in higher TR, NP, MAI, and CUs as compared with their respective sole cultivation. Foliar application with B produced the best for the productivity, economic, and competition indices of both crops. The interaction application of FIS12.5% × B produced higher faba bean and sugar beet yields, improved LER and LEC values, and recorded higher TR, NP, MAI, and CUs. It can be recommended that the FIS12.5% integrated with B nutrient foliar application was more effective and could be considered a viable intensification strategy to increase intercropping yields, land use, and economic benefits.

Evaluation of an Intercropping System: Lettuce and Radish Growing in Fruit Sapling Production

Agricultural production is one of the most negatively affected sectors from increasing population and global warming. Increasing food demand along with narrowing agricultural production areas increased the need for sustainable agricultural approaches where the unit area is better utilized. Intercropping systems are of those approaches based on the principle of growing more than one crop in the same area. In this study, it was aimed to analyze the opportunities of increasing land-use efficiency in open field fruit sapling production. For this aim, lettuce and radish were grown on the inter-rows of almond, apple, apricot, cherry, and pear sapling growing lines. When compared with control plants, results indicated a slight negative effect of intercropping systems on sapling quality. Yield and growth characteristics were lower in the vegetables subjected to intercropping. On the other hand, Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) and Net Economic Profit (NEP) were higher in intercropping systems. LER value varied between 1.86 and 1.97, and NEP value between 3328 and 6962 USD/da. These results indicated that land-use efficiency was increased with the examined intercropping systems. As a result of the study notwithstanding the quality and yield loses, it was concluded that intercropping of lettuce and radish in fruit sapling production is a beneficial growing application for the mentioned aims.

Intercropping of Cauliflower with Lettuce Is More Effective for Sustainable Fertilizer Management and Minimizing Environmental Risks

Intercropping systems are one of the sustainable agricultural models as they play an important role in protecting soil fertility, efficient use of resources, maintaining stable yields, and reducing the effectiveness of diseases and pests. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intercropping (IC) cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) with leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa) on the yield and quality parameters of cauliflower and to evaluate the overall productivity of the system under different nitrogen fertilization rates (160, 200, and 240 kg N ha−1). Our results showed that the leaf chlorophyll value (SPAD), plant weight, leaf weight, head diameter, head height, head weight, and total yield of cauliflower were found to increase as the nitrogen dose increased in both the monocropping (MC) and IC systems. The most efficient nitrogen fertilizer doses for cauliflower were 234.7 kg ha−1 for MC and 176.6 kg ha−1 for IC, respectively. When the intercropping system was used the total yield (cauliflower and lettuce) was higher than the yield of cauliflower (MC) for the same total area and fertilizer amount. The land equivalent ratio (LER) values were greater than 1 in the intercropping system at all fertilization rates, which indicated that the IC system was more productive than the MC system for the same unit of land. Our findings also showed that intercropping was an effective method to increase fertilizer use efficiency and the soil organic matter, nitrogen content, plant available P, K, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu. In conclusion, while intercropping cauliflower with lettuce did not adversely affect the yield of cauliflower, it enabled harvesting more plants (cauliflower and lettuce) from the same land area by using the same amount of fertilizer, which makes intercropping a sustainable, economical, and ecological model that increases the land-use and fertilizer-use efficiencies.

Different wheat intercropping systems with tomato to alleviate chilling stress, increase yield and profitability

Chilling temperature stress is the largest factor affecting tomato performance. Under these conditions, tomato cultivations require protection from cold and frost waves. A field study was conducted to investigate the effect of three wheat sowing dates (November 1st; November 15th and December 1st), and three wheat seeding rates of 25, 37.5, and 50 % of the normal seeding rate (142.8 kg seeds/ha) on the following aspects: yield and yield components of both crops, land equivalent ratio (LER), area time equivalent ratio (ATER), and economic return. The results revealed that intercropping wheat with tomato in mid-November, coupled with a 50 % seeding rate, produced the highest values of fruit setting (%), yield components, and total fruit yield/ha of tomato during both seasons. The climatic conditions prevailing on November 15th favored the increase of grain, straw yield/ha, and yield components compared to the other sowing dates. The density of the wheat seeding rate at 50 % produced the highest grain and straw yield/ha. In addition, intercropping wheat with tomato at a 50 % seeding rate on November 15th led to the highest values of LER (1.77 and 1.80) and ATER (1.35 and 1.36) and increased the net return by 106.6 and 112.0 % compared to the sole tomato cultivation in 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. These results indicate that intercropping wheat with tomato on November 15th at a 50 % seeding rate can better protect tomato plants from chilling and frost waves.

Effect of chemical and biological fertilizers on the morphology and yield of safflower and soybean under monoculture and intercropping

Intercropping and biofertilizers application are the most important agricultural methods for moving towards minimizing the risks of agricultural production and increasing production efficiency. Consequently, this experiment was conducted at one year and in 2019. A factorial set of treatments was arranged within randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications to investigate the effect of different planting ratios with safflower and soybean (sole cropping, 30:100 soybean to safflower ratio, 60:100 soybean to safflower ratio and 90:100 soybean to safflower ratio) and nutrient levels (100% urea fertilizer, 100% biofertilizer and the combined application of urea and biofertilizer) on growth and yield of these crops. The results of this study indicated that intercropping patterns had the highest plant height, number of grains per plant, biological and grain yields. In addition, the means of the number of heads per plant and the number of grains per head in safflower and the weight of 1000 grains in soybean were increased as intercrops were grown. Maximum of grain number per plant in safflower, leaf number per plan in soybean and biological and grain yields in both crops were attained in urea + biofertilizer. In all of intercropping patterns the values of LER (land equivalent ratio), RVT (relative value total) and RCC (relative crowding coefficient) was more than one, indicating an advantage from intercropping over sole crops.

Wheat–Lentil Mixed Cropping System Productivity Under Varied Irrigation Levels

The study on mixed cropping of lentil and wheat was conducted under three levels of irrigation. Wheat at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50% of the normal seed rates were mixed with full seed rate of lentil to find out a suitable mixing rate of wheat for maximum total yield from unit land. The study was conducted in a split plot design with three replications. Lentil yields obtained with single and two irrigations were identical and higher than with no irrigation. The highest wheat yield was obtained with two irrigations. Total yield was the highest with application of two irrigations. Mixing different proportions of wheat with lentil produced 95-171% additional yield over sole cropping of lentil. Mixing of wheat at 25-35% with lentil was found to be judicious for obtaining maximum total yields. The highest protein yield was obtained with 30-35% and 35% mixing rates of wheat at zero and single irrigation levels. Growing wheat with lentil resulted in increased protein yield in wheat than sole cropping. The highest land equivalent ratio (LER) values were obtained when 30-35% of wheat seed rate were mixed with lentil. Application of two irrigations resulted in high LER values. It is concluded that use of 35% of wheat seed rate along with full seed rate of lentil under two levels of irrigations would be the best mixing ratio for obtaining the highest wheat and total grain yield. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2021) 25 (1) : 1-10

Turning biennial into biannual harvest: Long‐term assessment of Arabica coffee–macadamia intercropping and irrigation synergism by biological and economic indices

AbstractIntercropping that involves coffee (Coffee arabicaL.) and macadamia (Macadamia integrifoliaMaiden & Betche) can achieve the complementarity between component crops aiming at better use of natural resources, hence resulting in optimum crop production. However, there is no detailed information in the scientific literature about the biological and economic efficiency of coffee–macadamia intercropping. In this work, we evaluated the productivity and economic performance of Arabica coffee–macadamia intercropping under rainfed and irrigated conditions for 13 years (2006–2018) in São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. In addition, some biological, economic, and competition indices were used to understand the complementarity of companion crops under the intercropping system. Irrigation significantly increased coffee (21%–40%) and macadamia (33%–44%) yields. Despite the greater values of aggressivity and dominance indices of macadamia over coffee crop have been calculated in the rainfed regime, intercropping with macadamia reduced more strongly coffee yield under irrigation. The higher values of land equivalent ratio (LER), land equivalent coefficient (LEC), percentage yield difference (PYD), income equivalent ratio (IER), and relative net return index (RNRI) indicated relatively higher benefits of intercropping under rainfed regime than under irrigation. The intercropping systems were more productive than monocrops, reaching 215% more yield, 3.2‐fold more gross income under rainfed conditions. The synergy of the combined use of irrigation and intercropping technologies decreased the payback period and the highest values of coffee equivalent yield (CEY) and monetary advantage index (MAI) under irrigation indicated a cumulative effect on the profitability. Here, for the first time, we demonstrated the complementarity between Arabica coffee and macadamia under the intercropping system, at least up to 13 years after planting of the crops, and suggest that it may be a viable option to optimize the use of resources, food production, and ecosystem services, making agricultural profitability more sustainable and stable.

Performance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties under cowpea- maize strip intercropping and phosphorus fertilization in Limpopo Province, South Africa

A field experiment was conducted during summer cropping seasons of 2017- 2018 and 2018-2019 at the Experimental farm University of Limpopo, South Africa to assess the effect of phosphorus fertilization levels (0, 15, 30, 45 kg P/ha) on two cowpea varieties (PAN311 and TVu13464) planted in a strip intercropping with maize using splitsplit plot design wit three replications. Some of the variables measured include day to maturity, number of pods per plant grain yield, root mass, land equivalent ratio, profit and benefit-cost ratio (BCR). Application of 30-45 kg P/ha significantly increased th root biomass, the number of pods per plant and the overall grain yield. Across the two seasons, PAN311 performed better than in TVu13464 in all measured agronomic variables. It flowered and matured earlier, had high canopy height and root mass, a greater number of pods per plant and high pod length, which subsequently led to increased grain yield. Strip intercropping was better over monocropping in root mass and the grain yield. The strip intercropping system was advantageou over monocropping in BCR and land utilisation because the land equivalent ratio (LER) values were greater than 1.00. Th optimum P level for cowpea-maize strip intercropping was 30 kg P/ha based on yield and financial return. The study showed that P application enhanced the productivity of the cowpea varieties in cowpea-maize strip intercropping in the semi-arid environment of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

English

Crop yields are declined due to low soil fertility, insufficient soil water availability and poorly managed cropping systems in Limpopo province of South Africa. Phosphorus (P) is a major essential nutrient element required by crops for enhanced growth and development. Interactions between different rates of P fertilization and strip intercropping system have not been studied in detail under rainfed conditions in semi-arid region of Limpopo province. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the performance of four cowpea varieties at four levels (0, 15, 30, 45 kg P ha-1) of P fertilization in a cowpea-maize intercropping system in a split-split plot design during two seasons. Significant interactions were obtained between variety and phosphorus application as well as variety and cropping system for 90% physiological maturity, root mass and grain yield in both seasons. P levels significantly influenced and enhanced grain yield, land equivalent ratio, profit and benefit cost ratio achieved. PAN311 and TVu13464 matured earlier across P levels and they were selected promising cowpea varieties based on their early maturity and high yield. Land equivalent ratio values were greater than 1.0, which indicated performance and advantage of an intercropping system over monocropping system in land utilisation. The optimum P level for cowpea-maize strip intercropping was at 30 kg P ha-1 based on yield and financial return. The results showed that P application enhanced the productivity of the cowpea varieties in cowpea-maize strip intercropping in the semi-arid environment of Limpopo province. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

Yield and Some Quality Properties of Binary Alfalfa-Grass Mixtures in Different Mixture Ratios

The aim of this investigation was to determine appropriate perennial grasses and their most suitable mixture ratios, which can be grown with alfalfa in binary mixtures. The research was conducted during 2009-2011 in Isparta (37.50 °N, 30.32 °E), located in the Western Mediterranean climate conditions. In the study, alfalfa was planted as a binary mixture with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.), and smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) in a randomized block design with three replications. Sowing ratios of alfalfa in the mixtures varied 20, 30, and 40%, and grass species ratios were 80, 70, and 60%. In the study, significant differences were found among the applications regarding hay yield, crude protein content, crude protein yield, NDF, ADF, land equivalent ratio (LER), and grass ratio in the hay (GR). The highest hay yield was obtained from alfalfa + orchardgrass and alfalfa + smooth bromegrass binary mixtures (25.98 and 25.78 t ha-1, respectively). Alfalfa + perennial ryegrass and alfalfa + meadow fescue mixtures gave the highest crude protein contents as 14.93 and 14.80%, respectively. The highest LER values were observed on perennial ryegrass and smooth bromegrass binary mixtures, and the highest grass ratios were determined in orchardgrass and smooth bromegrass mixtures made with alfalfa. Increasing the alfalfa sowing ratio in the mixtures positively affected all quality characteristics such as crude protein, NDF, and ADF. It was concluded that orchardgrass and smooth bromegrass binary mixtures with alfalfa produced high yield and quality hay and that the mixture should contain 40% alfalfa and 60% grass.

Review: Planting time of haricot bean intercropping into the maize-based cropping systems under planting arrangements in south Gonder Ethiopia

Field experiments were conducted at Dera District south Gonder experimental field site, Fogra National Rice Research and Training Center from June to October during the years 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons. The aim of the study was to determine optimum time of intercropping haricot bean into the maize based cropping system under conservation tillage practices, The experiment was laid out in split-plot design, with tillage practices a) Tied-ridge and b) Zero-tillage as main plot and time of intercropping haricot bean 1) Planting haricot bean simultaneously with maize, 2) Planting haricot bean 15 days after maize was planted and 3) planting haricot bean 30 days after maize was planted as sub-plots. Intercropping was assessed on the basis of the performance of the main and component crops indices as grain yield, biomass weight, partial and total LER and competitive indices such as relative crowding coefficient (K), aggressivity (A), competitive ratio (CR) and system productivity index (SPI). There was no interaction between tillage practices and time of intercropping haricot bean in any of the indices studied. Main effects of tillage practices had no significant effects on all the indices considered during both 2020 and 2021 growing seasons, but grain yield, biomass weight, partial and total LER tended to be higher in the tied-ridge treatment during 2020 and vis-versa during 2021 seasons. The results obtained showed that the greatest intercrop yields of maize and haricot bean were obtained when both crops were planted at the same time. In both years, highest total land equivalent ratio (LERt) values were obtained when planting of maize and haricot bean was done at the same time followed by planting of haricot bean 15 days after maize was planted indicating the advantages of intercropping over the sole planting. Partial LERm was always higher than LERb during 2010 season and vis-versa during 2011 season. The results of competitive indices indicate that maize was the dominant crop in the mixture as measured by the positive values of A, and the high values of Km than Kb in the mixture. On the other hand, CR values of haricot bean were higher than maize in the mixture suggesting haricot bean was more competitive than maize in the intercropping system. Moreover, the data of SPI indicated that intercropping haricot bean at the same time with maize had higher SPI during both 2010 and 2011 season. In conclusion, intercropping of haricot bean simultaneously with maize exhibited an overall advantage over the other time of intercropping and sole cropping in terms of grain yield, partial LERm, LERb and LERt and competitive ratio indices and could therefore be recommended for Central rift valley areas of Ethiopia where maize and haricot bean are major crops.

Identification of Relatively More Efficient and Productive Cropping System in Varying Potential Agro-ecologies of Central Tanzania

The experiment was conducted in the varying potential sub agro-ecologies of Kongwa and Kiteto districts in Central Tanzania during the 2019-2020 cropping season to identify the relatively more efficient and productive cropping system. Results showed that in the high sub ecology, Pigeon pea - Sorghum intercrop had the highest Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) of 1.59. In the moderate, Pigeon pea - Groundnut highest LER value was 1.65, and in the low sub ecology, Pigeon pea - Pearl millet highest LER value was 2.36 compared to LER values of 1.00 for the respective sole crops, which indicated the superiority of intercropping over monoculture. The above findings revealed that increased productivity could be achieved through intercropping. Therefore, it could be concluded that Pigeon pea- Sorghum, Pigeon pea- Groundnut and Pigeon pea- Pearl millet are the more efficient and productive cropping systems in the high, moderate and low sub ecologies, respectively.

Impact of Land Configuration and Strip-Intercropping on Runoff, Soil Loss and Crop Yields under Rainfed Conditions in the Shivalik Foothills of North-West, India

Maintaining sustainable crop production on undulating, sloppy, and erodible soils in Shivalik foothills of North-west India is a challenging task. Intercropping is accepted as a highly sustainable system to reduce soil erosion and ensure sustainable production by making efficient use of resources. Field experiments were conducted in the rainy season (July to September) during 2015, 2016, and 2017 to evaluate the effect of land slopes and maize and cowpea strip-intercropping on productivity and resource conservation at the Regional Research Station, Ballowal Saunkhri located in the Shivalik foothills. During three years of experimentation, a total of 23–26 runoff events were observed in the maize crop grown in the rainy season. The results from this 3-year field study indicate that maize grain yield was significantly higher on a 1% slope and cowpea on a 2% slope. This accounted for significantly higher net returns (US$ 428 ha−1) with a benefit-cost (BC) ratio of 2.0 on a 1% slope. Runoff, soil, and nutrient losses were higher on a 3% slope as compared to 1% and 2% slopes. N, P, and K loss on a 3% slope were 3.80, 1.82, and 4.10 kg ha−1 higher, respectively than a 1% slope. The adoption of a strip-intercropping system with a 4.8 m maize strip width and 1.2 m cowpea strip width resulted in significantly higher maize equivalent yield than sole maize and other strip-intercropping systems. This system showed the highest land equivalent ratio value (1.24) indicating a 24% yield advantage over sole cropping systems of maize and cowpea, and fetched the highest net returns (US$ 530 ha−1) with a benefit-cost ratio (BC ratio) of 2.09. This system also reduced runoff and soil loss by 10.9% and 8.3%, respectively than sole maize crop. On all the land slopes, maize and cowpea strip-intercropping systems showed a significant reduction in N, P, K, and organic carbon loss as compared to sole maize. Thus, on sloping land, the maize and cowpea strip-intercropping system decreases surface runoff, soil, and nutrient loss, and increases yield and income of the farmers as compared to a sole maize crop.

Effect of intercropping and plant distribution of sorghum with soybean on growth and yield of Sorghum bicolor

This field experiment was carried out at special farm at Luxor governorate, Egypt during 2018 and 2019 seasons to study the effect of some intercropping patterns and plant distributions of sorghum (var. Dorado) and soybean (var. Giza-111) on the growth, yield and yield components and the economic return of the sorghum plants. The experimental was laid out in split-split plot with randomized block design in three replications. The plant height of sorghum was significant affected by the different intercropping patterns and plant density in the second season only as a result of the interaction between the number of plants/ hill and the intercropping patterns. The highest values of panicle length ​​were by sole cropping of sorghum compared to the other intercropping patterns. Sowing sorghum – soybean plants as 1:1 side on the same row resulted in the highest values of panicle weight and grain yield /plant of sorghum in the mean of seasons. Sowing of sorghum as sole crop at 15 cm between hills plus two plants /hill followed by 4:2 row intercropping gave the highest values of grain weight /plot and grain yield /feddan (feddan = 0.420 hectares = 1.037 acres) in the two seasons compared to the other treatments. The highest value of land equivalent ratio (1.41) resulted from the use of 3:3 row pattern of intercropping with two plants /hill and 15 cm spacing. Also, there is an increase in the value of the land equivalent ratio (1.29) with the use of the 4:2 row pattern of sorghum-soybean intercropping with 2 plants /hill and 15 cm between hills. The most profitable system was intercropping of sorghum: soybean as 3: 3 or 4:2 row patterns and 15 or 20 cm between hills with planting two plants /hill.