Land Equivalent Ratio Research Articles

Productivity Variables for Adaptability of Cowpea Varieties under Strip Intercropping in Three Locations in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background: The performance of five improved cowpea varieties under strip intercropping has been conducted in specific locations to assess their yield but their adaptability has not been determined. This paper presents results that assessed the adaptability of the improved cowpea varieties under strip intercropping in three locations in Limpopo province. Methods: Five cowpea varieties (TVu 13464, IT86D-1010, Glenda, IT82E-16 and IT87K-499-35) and maize were planted under strip intercropping in three locations (UL-Farm, Bela-Bela and Ga-Thaba) and two seasons. Data were collected on maturity, grain yield, land equivalent ratio, pods plant-1, plant height and seed size and were analysed using Genstat 20.1. Result: The ranking plot of grain yield indicates that the principal components (PC1 and PC2) explained 96.33% of the total sum of square variation. The results indicate that IT86D-1010 and IT82E-16 matured early and were best yielders. The LER from IT82E-16, IT86D-1010, TVu 13464 and IT87K-499-35 exceedingly performed better that from Glenda (Control) thus indicating that they are superior in adaptation and in resource utilization. The performance and adaptation of the varieties varied across locations: IT82E-16 is adapted to UL-Farm and Bela-Bela while IT86D-1010 and IT87K-499-35 are adapted to Ga-Thaba and their production should be based on their best location(s).

Radiation Limits the Yield Potential of Main Crops Under Selected Agrivoltaic Designs—A Case Study of a New Shading Simulation Method

Agrivoltaics (APVs) represent a growing technology in Europe that enables the co-location of energy and food production in the same field. Photosynthesis requires photosynthetic active radiation, which is reduced by the shadows cast on crops by APV panels. The design of the module rows, material, and field orientation significantly influences the radiation distribution on the ground. In this context, we introduce an innovative approach for the effective simulation of the shading effects of various APV designs. We performed an extensive sensitivity analysis of the photovoltaic (PV) geometry influence on the ground-incident radiation and crop growth of selected cultivars. Simulations (2013–2021) for three representative arable crops in eastern Austria (winter wheat, spring barley, and maize) and seven different APV designs that only limited to the shading effect showed that maize and spring barley experienced the greatest annual above-ground biomass and grain yield reduction (up to 25%), with significant differences between the APV design and the weather conditions. While spring barley had similar decreases within the years, maize was characterized by high variability. Winter wheat had only up to a 10% reduction due to shading and a reduced photosynthetic performance. Cold/humid/cloudy weather during the growing season had more negative yield effects under APVs than dry/hot periods, particularly for summer crops such as maize. The lowest grain yield decline was achieved for all three crops in the APV design in which the modules were oriented to the east at a height of 5 m and mounted on trackers with an inclination of +/−50°. This scenario also resulted in the highest land equivalent ratios (LERs), with values above 1.06. The correct use of a tracker on APV fields is crucial for optimizing agricultural yields and electricity production.

Development of agrivoltaic insect net house to enhance sustainable energy-food production: a techno-economic assessment

Agrivoltaics (AV) systems are the simultaneous land utilization for sustainable energy and food production. However, AV may not be suitable for some crops that require rigorous pest management. This study has applied an innovative approach, combining AV with an insect net house to cultivate capsicum. The 1.8 kW AV system has been installed at a 3-m elevation to facilitate unrestricted tractor manoeuvrability for various farming operations. The structure can withstand winds as high as 140.4 km/h. The system has a 3,612-kWh energy capacity and a 51.41 kg food production capacity. The system's energy and food conversion efficiency are 14.09% and 154.8%, respectively, compared to the traditional systems. Economic metrics like a 2.20 benefit-cost ratio and a 9.39-year payback period have been included in the findings. Further, the land equivalence ratio is 1.97, indicating a better system than traditional AV and agriculture approaches.

Optimizing Nitrogen Input Increased Yield and Efficiency in Maize-Soybean Strip Intercropping System

Optimizing nitrogen (N) fertilizer combination is a crucial measure to maximize yield and production efficiency in a maize-soybean strip intercropping system (MSSI). In this field experiment, six maize/soybean N input combinations (0 kg ha−1, F0; 255/30 kg ha−1, F1; 255/45 kg ha−1, F2; 255/60 kg ha−1, F3; 210/45 kg ha−1, F4; 300/45 kg ha−1, F5) were set in 2022 and 2023. The results indicated that optimizing N combination (maize/soybean, 255/45 kg ha−1) could synergistically increase yield and economic benefits. Path analysis results showed that the grain numbers in maize and soybean emerged as the most critical yield-affecting factors. Compared with F0, F5 showed the highest grain yield during the 2-year experiment, and the net return increased by 86.1% (F1), 133.3% (F2), 87.4% (F3), 104.7% (F4), and 128.3% (F5), respectively. Optimizing N input under F2 and F5 notably enhanced the leaf area index (LAI) of maize at the milk stage (R3) and soybean at the full pod stage (R4). Additionally, optimization of N distribution in maize stems at the tassel stage (VT) and soybean leaves at the initial flowering stage (R1) facilitated increased dry matter and N accumulation at the maturity stage, resulting in final land equivalent ratios (LER) of 1.44 and 1.55, respectively. Our results provide a more valuable field N combination for summer maize planting areas (sandy soil areas) in Huang-Huai-Hai and southern China, thus promoting the wider application of MSSI.

Rice Under Dry Cultivation–Maize Intercropping Improves Soil Environment and Increases Total Yield by Regulating Belowground Root Growth

Under the one-season-a-year cropping pattern in Northeast China, continuous cropping is one of the main factors contributing to the degradation of black soil. Previous studies (on maize–soybean, maize–peanut, and maize–wheat intercropping) have shown that intercropping can alleviate this problem. However, it is not known whether intercropping is feasible for maize and rice under dry cultivation, and its effects on yield and soil fertility are unknown. A three-year field-orientation experiment was conducted at Jilin Agricultural University in Changchun city, Jilin Province, China, consisting of three cropping regimes, namely rice under dry cultivation–maize intercropping (IRM), sole rice under dry cultivation (SR), and sole maize (SM). All straw was fully returned to the field after mechanical harvesting. Rice under dry cultivation–maize intercropping with a land-equivalent ratio of 1.05 (the average of three years values) increased the total yield by 8.63% compared to the monoculture system. The aggressivity (A), relative crowding coefficient (K), time–area-equivalent ratio (ATER), and competition ratio (CR) value were positive or ≥1, also indicating that the rice under dry cultivation–maize intercropping had a yield advantage of the overall intercropping system. This is because the intercropped maize root length density (RLD) increased by 33.94–102.84% in the 0–40 cm soil layer, which contributed to an increase in the soil porosity (SP) of 5.58–10.10% in the 0–30 cm soil layer, an increase in the mean weight diameter of soil aggregates (MWD) of 3.00–15.69%, an increase in the geometric mean diameter of soil aggregates (GMD) of 8.16–26.42%, a decrease in the soil bulk density (SBD) of 4.02–7.35%, and an increase in the soil organic matter content (SOM) of 0.60–4.35%. This increased the water permeability and aeration of the soil and facilitated the absorption of nutrients and water by the root system and their transportation above ground, and the plant nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium accumulation in the intercropping system were significantly higher than that in monoculture treatment, further promoting the total yield of intercropping. This suggests that rice under a dry cultivation–maize intercropping system is feasible in Northeast China, mainly because it promotes belowground root growth, improves the soil environment, and increases the total yield of intercropping.

Relay strip intercropping of soybeans and maize achieves high net ecosystem economic benefits by boosting land output and alleviating greenhouse gas emissions.

Cereal-legume intercropping provides a solution for achieving global food security, but the mechanism of greenhouse gas emissions and net ecosystem economic benefits of maize-soybean relay intercropping are poorly understood. Hence, we conducted a two-factor experiment to investigate the effects of cropping systems, containing maize-soybean relay intercropping (IMS), monoculture maize (M) and monoculture soybean (S), as well as three nitrogen levels at 0 (N0), 180 (N1), 240 (N2) kg N ha-1 on crop grain yield, greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon stock and net ecosystem economic benefit (NEEB). The average grain yield of IMS (7.7 t ha-1) increased by 28.5% and 242.4% compared with M (6.0 t ha-1) and S (2.2 t ha-1). The land equivalent ratio (LER) of IMS was 2.0, which was mainly contributed by maize (partial LER: 1.2) rather than soybean (partial LER: 0.8). Although the total grain yield of IMS remarkably enhanced by 43.6% and 45.5% in N1 and N2 contrast in N0, the LER was 37.5% and 38.6% lower in N1 and N2 than in N0. The net global warming potential (GWP) of maize and soybean was 11.6% and 1.8% lower in IMS than in the corresponding monoculture, which resulted from a decline in GWP and enhanced soil organic carbon stock rate. Moreover, NEEB was 133.5% higher in IMS (14 032.0 Chinese yuan per year) than in M, mainly resulting from an increase in total economic gains and a decline in GWP cost. A more robust response in yield gain rather than total costs to N inputs of IMS led to 46.8% and 48.3% higher NEEB in N1 and N2 than in N0. Maize-soybean relay intercropping with 180 kg N ha-1 application can obtain yield advantages without raising environmental costs, which provides an approach to achieving sustainable agricultural production. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Potato–Soybean Intercropping Increased Equivalent Tuber Yield by Improving Rhizosphere Soil Quality, Root Growth, and Plant Physiology of Potato

Potato–legume intercropping has been confirmed to increase productivity in modern agricultural systems. However, the physiological and ecological mechanisms of potato–soybean intercropping for promoting tuber yield formation in potato remain unclear. Field experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 to explore the responses of tuber yield formation, rhizosphere soil quality, root growth, and plant physiology of potato in potato–soybean intercropping. The soil at the experimental site is Cambisols. The treatments included sole cropping potato, sole cropping soybean, and potato–soybean intercropping. Our results indicated that potato –soybean intercropping decreased the water content, increased the total K content and activities of urease and catalase in rhizosphere soil, and enhanced the root mean diameter, root projected area, and root length density in the 0–5 cm and 15–20 cm soil layers of potato. Moreover, potato–soybean intercropping improved the plant photosynthetically active radiation and light transmittance rate of the middle and lower layers as well as the leaf area index, enhanced the leaf chlorophyll b content and ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity, and increased the leaf net photosynthetic rate and organ dry matter accumulation amounts of potato. The changes in the above parameters resulted in an increased tuber weight per plant (19.4%) and commercial tuber number (42.5%) and then enhanced the equivalent tuber yield of potato (38.2%) and land equivalent ratio (1.31 in 2022 and 1.33 in 2023). Overall, potato–soybean intercropping greatly increased the equivalent tuber yield by improving the rhizosphere soil quality, root growth, and plant physiology of potato and then achieved a higher land equivalent ratio.

Nitrogen input strategies impact fertilizer nitrogen saving by intercropping: A global meta-analysis

ContextSeveral meta-analyses have demonstrated that intercropping increases land use efficiency and fertilizer use efficiency of grain-producing crop species, but no overarching synthesis has been made on the effects of fertilizer management on fertilizer use efficiency. Research questionsHere we assess the relative N use efficiency of species mixtures compared to sole crops under different N input strategies using global data. MethodsWe built a global database of yield and fertilizer N input with 600 data records representing the results of 136 independent experiments from 80 publications with four main types of species functional combinations (SFCs), based on key traits that were found relevant in previous intercropping studies: C3-cereal/legume, maize/legume, C4-non-maize/legume and maize/C3-cereal. ResultsWe found that the literature reports results for four main N input strategies in the intercrop and sole crops: (1) zero fertilizer N input (Nic=N1=N2=0), (2) equal fertilizer N input (Nic=N1=N2>0), (3) intermediate fertilizer N input (N1≥Nic≥N2 and N1>N2), and (4) transgressive fertilizer N input (Nic>N1≥N2), where N1, N2 and Nic represent the N input in sole crop 1, sole crop 2 and the intercrop. With zero N input, high land equivalent ratio was found in cereal/legume intercrops but not in maize/C3-cereal intercrops. Intermediate N input (strategy 3) resulted in high LER (land equivalent ratio) and FNER (fertilizer N equivalent ratio) because of the high intercropping advantage of cereals in C3-cereal/legume, maize/legume, and C4-non-maize/legume intercrops and maize in maize/C3-cereal intercrops. Equal N input in the sole crops and the intercrops resulted in LER and FNER being equal and N saving was entirely due to land saving, regardless of SFCs. Transgressive N input resulted in high LER but low FNER. ConclusionsThe study confirms that cereal/legume intercropping increases LER at zero N input. Strategies that tailor N input in intercropping to species demand (strategy 3) pair high productivity and LER to high fertilizer N use efficiency. The transgressive N input strategy maximizes LER at the expense of FNER, thus potentially generating high N losses.

Evaluation of barnyard millet intercropping systems in semi-arid zone of Hisar

A field experiment was conducted at CCSHAU, Hisar during Kharif seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 in three times replicated randomized block design. The experiment was comprised of thirteen barnyard millet-based inter- cropping systems in replacement series with greengram and sesame as intercrop with row ratio of 5:1, 4:2, 3:3, 2:4, 1:5 in addition to their sole crops. Results revealed that the barnyard millet intercropped with greengram was found superior over sole barnyard millet in terms of different intercropping indices. But, barnyard millet intercrop with sesame was found uneconomical. The barnyard millet + greengram (1:5) recorded the highest land equivalent ratio (LER; 1.25), barnyard millet equivalent yield (BMEY; 2977 kg/ha), land use efficiency (LUE; 119.4%), area time equivalent ratio (ATER; 1.14), relative crowding coefficient (RCC; 1.79), monitory advantage index (MAI; ` 10,756/ha), system productivity index (SPI; 2903), intercropping advantage index (IAI; 34.6), net return (` 23,111/ha), benefit:cost (1.42) and per day return (` 300.3) which was closely followed by barnyard millet + greengram (4:2). Hence, barnyard millet + greengram (1:5) intercropping system is a suitable option for achieving higher monetary returns and resource use efficiency as compared to sole barnyard millet under semiarid region of India.

Effect of maize (zea mays l.) and cowpea (vigna unguiculata l.) intercropping on agronomic performance, yield and nutritional values of maize and cowpea under supplementary irrigation

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L.) intercropping on agronomic performance, yield, and nutritional values at Arba Minch University. Treatments were only maize crop (T1), only cowpea (T2), intercrop (maize and cowpea) in a 1:1 ratio (T3) and alternative rows of 2:2 (T4) as treatments. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data on plant morphology, yield, nutritional composition, and economic return were recorded. The height of the plant (145.5 cm) of maize was significantly (P<0.001) higher at 1:1 intercropping than the height of the sole while the height of the cowpea was higher at the sole cropping. Higher number of branches (P <0.05) per plant (5.28) of cowpea was recorded in pure stands of cowpea than intercropping. The grain yield of maize (6.9 t/ha) and cowpea (4.2 t/ha) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in sole cropping than in intercropping. A higher dry matter yield of 9.06 t/ha of maize was obtained in a 1:1 maize- cowpea intercropping ratio than sole maize. Significantly (P<0.001) highest dry matter cowpea yield of 5.77 t/ha was obtained at sole cultivation than intercropping. The intercropping of maize with cowpea had an advantage of resource utilization in terms of land equivalent ratio (LER) 41.7% to 62.5%. The marginal rate of return (MRR) of intercropping in the ratio of 1:1 was as high as 48.23% in intercropping maize-cowpea, which was much better than sole cropping. Therefore, it could be recommended that the ratio of 1:1 maize-cowpea intercropping for land resource use and economic food and feed production in Arba Minch and similar agro-ecology zones.

FAIRE DES ECONOMIES DE SURFACE AVEC LASSOCIATION MAIS-LEGUMINEUSES TOUT EN MAINTENANT LE RENDEMENT DU MAIS PAR RAPPORT A SA CULTURE PURE DANS LES CONDITIONS DE LOUEST DU BURKINA FASO

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the interaction between crop residue management practices, cropping systems, and fertilization on the yield of associated crops in western Burkina Faso. To this end, an experimental design comprising three factors (crop residue management methods, cropping systems, and fertilization types) and four replications was established and monitored over three farming seasons (2018, 2019, and 2020). The grain and straw yields were determined, and the landequivalentratio (LER) was calculated. The results demonstrate that the management of crop residue through mulching or burial maintains crop yields at a level comparable to that achieved through ploughing with residue removal. In general, organo-mineral fertilization stands out as the fertilization practice that improves the production of maize (43.58% and 46.09% in 2018 and 2020, respectively) and legumes (58.42% and 66.11% in 2018 and 2020, respectively) compared to standardized mineral fertilization. Legume yields are significantly higher in monoculture (from 60% to 89% for amber and from 40% to 50% for cowpea) than in association. Additionally, the interaction between soil tillage and fertilization does not appear to be a significant factor in intercropping. However, the maize-legume association emerged as the cropping system with the greatest potential for area savings (LER&gt;1) and crop diversification on the same plot when compared to monocropping. The study suggests that a combination of maize-legume associations, mulching or burying crop residues, and organo-mineral fertilization represents a successful strategy for the sustainable management of cropping systems in western Burkina Faso.

Intercropping Some Soybean Genotypes with Corn for Producing Soybean Seeds, Quality and Land Equivalent Ratios

Intercropping Some Soybean Genotypes with Corn for Producing Soybean Seeds, Quality and Land Equivalent Ratios

The Effect Addition of Soil Amandments and PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) on the Growth and Yield of Cotton Plants Intercropped with Corn Plants in Dry Land of North Lombok Regency of Indonesia

This research investigates the effect of soil amendments in the form of cow, form goat manures and PGPR biofertilizer on cotton plants intercropped with corn in the dry lands of North Lombok Regency. The research aims is to determine the growth and yield response of cotton plants due to the application of soil amendments and PGPR in an intercropped system with corn in dryland areas. The research was conducted from December 2023 to June 2024 in Andalan Village, Bayan District, North Lombok Regency. The method used is an experimental method with field trials. The design used was Randomized Block Design (RBD), incorporating two factors: soil amendment treatment (P) as the main plot and PGPR (K) concentration treatments as the subplot. Soil amendments consisted of three levels: P0 (no cow manure and no goat manure), P1 (20 tons/ha cow manure), P2 (20 tons/ha goat manure). PGPR concentration consisted of four levels: K0 (without PGPR), K1 (20 ml/liter PGPR application), K2 (30 ml/liter PGPR application), and K3 (40 ml/liter PGPR application). The research results indicated that the application of 20 tons/ha of goat manure (P2) produced the highest average across all observed parameters (plant height, number of leaves, branch number, stem diameter, and plant yield). Similarly, the application of 40 ml/liter PGPR produced the highest average for these observed parameters. Based on the results of the land equivalent ratio (LER) analysis, this integration system shows highly suitable and relevant to be applied in the dry lands of North Lombok.

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.

Effect of fertility levels and stress mitigating chemicals on nutrient content, uptake, intercropping advantage and competition effect in cowpea-baby corn intercropping

The primary goal of this study was to analyze how various row ratios of intercrops, in conjunction with different fertilizer levels with spray of two stress mitigating chemical, affect nutrient content, land productivity, and economic viability during Summer season. Furthermore, we aimed to explore the competitive dynamics within legume/cereal intercropping systems. Hence, A field experiment at Agriculture University, Kota, during the summers of 2019 and 2020, investigated different cowpea + baby corn intercropping system's intercropping indices, nutrient dynamics, uptake, and post-harvest soil nutrient balance under varying recommended fertilizer levels and foliar spray of stress mitigating chemicals. Using a split-split plot design replicated four times, the experiment involved thirty treatment combinations, including five intercropping techniques viz. Sole cowpea, sole baby corn, cowpea + baby corn 2:1, cowpea + baby corn 3:1, cowpea + baby corn 4:1 in the main plot, three fertility levels viz. 100 %, 125 % and 150 % recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) in subplots, and two stress mitigation chemicals; CaCl2 0.5 % and KNO3 1% in sub-subplots. The findings revealed notable trends, including nitrogen (N) and (P) content in cowpea seeds and straw, baby corn cobs and fodder, as well as enhanced land-equivalent ratio (LER) and monetary advantage index (MAI) within the cowpea + baby corn 2:1 row ratio. However, despite these advantages, total N and P uptake were markedly higher in sole crops. Notably, sole cowpea demonstrated the highest actual N and P balance and lowest was under sole baby corn. Among the fertility levels, the 150 % RDF level exhibited the most favorable outcomes across various parameters, including LER, MAI, NP content, and uptake in both crops. Additionally, higher fertility levels correlated with increased apparent and actual soil nutrient balances. While, among stress mitigation chemicals, CaCl2 0.5 % resulted in significantly heightened N and P uptake. Hence, to optimize intercropping dynamics and maintain soil nutrient balance, it is advisable to intensify cowpea cultivation along with baby corn in a 2:1 row ratio, utilizing 150 % RDF is beneficial. Additionally, alleviating higher temperature stress during the summer season can be achieved by applying a 0.5 % solution CaCl2 through spraying at the flowering and pod development stages of cowpea.

Influence of climate smart agriculture approach of barley and pea intercropping on yield, land equivalent ratio and profitability in the agro-climatic condition of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Influence of climate smart agriculture approach of barley and pea intercropping on yield, land equivalent ratio and profitability in the agro-climatic condition of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pomegranate-Quinoa-Based Agroforestry System: An Innovative Strategy to Alleviate Salinity Effects and Enhance Land Use Efficiency in Salt-Affected Semiarid Regions.

Salinity is a major problem, impeding soil productivity, agricultural sustainability, and food security, particularly in dry regions. This study integrates quinoa, a facultative halophyte, into a pomegranate-based agroforestry with saline irrigation in northeast Morocco. We aim to explore this agroforestry model's potential in mitigating salinity's effects on quinoa's agronomic and biochemical traits and evaluate the land equivalent ratio (LER). Field experiments in 2020 and 2021 used a randomized block design with three replicates, including monocropping and agroforestry systems, two salinity levels (1.12 and 10.5 dS m-1), four quinoa genotypes (Titicaca, Puno, ICBA-Q4, ICBA-Q5), and a pomegranate control. Salinity significantly decreased total dry matter (40.5%), root dry matter (50.7%), leaf dry matter (39.2%), and root-to-shoot ratio (7.7%). The impact was more severe in monoculture than in agroforestry, reducing dry matter (47.6% vs. 30.7%), grain yield (46.3% vs. 26.1%), water productivity (47.5% vs. 23.9%), and total sugar (19.2% vs. 5.6%). LER averaged 1.86 to 2.21, indicating 86-121% higher productivity in agroforestry. LER averaged 1.85 at 1.12 dS m-1 and 2.18 at 10.5 dS m-1, reaching 2.21 with pomegranate-ICBA-Q5 combination. Quinoa-pomegranate agroforestry emerges as an innovative strategy, leveraging quinoa's salt resistance and agroforestry's potential to mitigate salinity impacts while enhancing land use efficiency.

Growth and water-needs analysis of sweet corn and peanuts in different cropping systems

Maize and peanuts are important food crops in Indonesia and are generally planted in monoculture and intercropping systems. The water required for monoculture and intercropping is believed to be different. However, comparison analysis of water requirements in monoculture and intercropping is rarely conducted. The research aimed to evaluate the growth and production of sweet corn and peanuts in monoculture and intercropping systems concerning water requirement and crop coefficient. The study was conducted at IPB Experimental Station in Leuwikopo, Bogor, Indonesia from September to December 2022. Sweet corn and peanuts were planted in different cropping systems, i.e., monoculture and intercropping. Water consumption of both cropping systems was evaluated in every growing stage. The experiment used a completely randomized block design and was repeated three times. Results showed that sweet corn growth was not significantly different among cropping systems, but yield from intercropping was lower than monoculture. Intercropped peanuts grew lower than monoculture but did not show any significant difference in yield among cropping systems. Water use efficiency in intercropping was higher than monoculture for both crops, indicating intercropping is a suitable cropping system for limiting soil water availability. The land equivalency ratio was 1.80, concluding that intercropping was more efficient than monoculture in land use by 80%. Keywords: climate change; crop coefficient; intercropping; land equivalent ratio; water use efficiency

Cereal‐Based Intercropping Systems Improve Yield Advantage and Crop Yield Under Superabsorbent Application in Semiarid Conditions

ABSTRACTConsidering the yield advantage of cereal:legume intercropping in low nitrogen conditions, an experiment was laid out to examine the barley:chickpea intercropping treatments and their effects on biological yield and yield advantage of two plants under rain‐fed conditions as affected by a superabsorbent polymer (0, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha−1) in two cropping seasons. In both years, increasing the chickpea population increased the chickpea biological yield, total land equivalent ratio (TLER), competition index (CI), and barley and chickpea relative yields. Increasing the amount of the superabsorbent polymer to 100 kg ha−1 increased the chickpea competition ratio (0.86). The highest TLER (4.00) was related to 100:100 barley:chickpea intercropping without superabsorbent polymer application. In both years, the highest CI (0.21) was attained in the 100:100 barley:chickpea intercrop system in the first year. This was followed by the 100:100 barley:chickpea intercrop ratio (0.16) in the second year. The highest barley relative yields in the first year (3.91) and second year (3.57) were related to the 100:100 barley:chickpea plant ratio, which was higher than the yields for the 100:25 (38% and 35%), 100:50 (26% and 23%), and 100:75 (12% and 10%) ratios. Based on the results, the superiority of mixed cultivation, compared with pure cultivation, in the exploitation of production resources and integration of crop plants was observed.

Productive Performance of Biomass Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Cultivars in Different Cropping Systems and Planting Times

Global projections indicate that the demand for fresh water, energy, and food will increase significantly in the coming decades under the pressure of population growth, economic development, climate change, and other factors. Faced with this, technologies that promote sustainable development through the use of clean energy will be imperative. That way, this study aimed at evaluating the productive performance of biomass sorghum and cowpea cultivars in different cropping systems and planting seasons. The experiment was conducted at the Caatinga Experimental Field at Embrapa Semiarid, Petrolina—PE. Four cowpea (BRS Itaim, BRS Gurguéia, BRS Guariba, and BRS Carijó) and two biomass sorghum cultivars (BRS 716 and AGRI-002E) were used in intercropping and monoculture systems. The cultivars were sown during two different seasons: June (season 1—winter) and December (season 2—summer) of 2021. The biometric and productive parameters and land equivalent ratios (LERs) of sorghum and cowpea were evaluated. The data were subjected to multivariate analysis. The productive performance of biomass sorghum cultivars Agri-002E and BRS 716 was higher when planted in December, with an increase of 37% due to the planting season. Cowpea productivity was not influenced by sowing seasons or the cultivation system. Based on the calculation of efficient land use, the intercropping between biomass sorghum cultivar BRS 716 and cowpea cultivars BRS Gurguéia, BRS Guariba, and BRS Carijó was advantageous when compared to monocultures planted in the hottest season. This study showed the importance of cultivar selection, the planting time, and land use efficiency in intercropping systems.