Sole Crop Research Articles

Co-cultivation of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) with food crops for efficient resource utilization and increasing the farm profits

Ocimum basilicum L., or sweet basil, is a valuable aromatic and medicinal plant that is used in aromatherapy to energize, relax, and stimulate the mind. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry for its anti-ageing and therapeutic qualities. Farmers who depend only on conventional food crops run the danger of crop failure as a result of unanticipated circumstances like uncertain weather, pest outbreaks, or disease epidemics. In contrast, intercropping offers a kind of insurance against total crop loss by diversifying farm outputs. The present study aims to increase field productivity and efficient use of land resources under sweet basil-based inter-cropping systems. In the experiment, 17 different treatments (12 treatments comprising of inter-cropping of sweet basil (55,555 plants/ha plant population) with four conventional crops namely maize (Zea mays L.), pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) at three plant populations, i.e., 100% (55,555 plants/ha), 75% (37,037 plants/ha), and 50% (27,777 plants/ha). Also, all five sole crops (4 conventional crops and sweet basil) were planted. The study findings showed that the maximum fresh herb yield of sole sweet basil culture at 100% plant population (14.2 t/ha with 0.70% oil content and 99.2 kg/ha oil yield) was almost equal to that of co-cultivation of sweet basil with pigeonpea at 50% plant population (14 t/ha with 0.70% oil content and 98.2 kg/ha oil yield). Similarly, LER varied from 1.50 to 1.90 and the ATER varied from 1.32 to 1.82. The inter-cropping system based on sweet basil is an advantageous strategy to maximize resource use efficiency. Nevertheless, net returns of sweet basil were found to be maximum with pigeon pea (1762–1881 USD/ha) followed by okra (1507–1638 USD/ha), maize (1042–1310 USD/ha) and pearl millet (809–1029 USD/ha). Moreover, for better herb yield and net returns, it was more profitable for the farmers to co-cultivate sweet basil with pigeon pea at 50% plant population.

Assessment of Productivity Dyanamics of Chickpea based Intercropping with Linseed and Seed Spices on BBF under Organic Cultivation

Background: The potential of intercropping is well known for multifaceted benefits like greater resource use, reduction of population of harmful biotic agents, higher resource conservation and soil health and agricultural sustainability. These benefits are prominently pronounced in rainfed region. As the legumes crop have much importance in organic farming and there are very close relationships between yield advantage and nutrient acquisition in intercropping systems. By considering this aspect of intercropping system, chickpea intercropped with linseed and seed spices to get higher monetary returns with soil health. Methods: The field experiment entitled “assessment of productivity dyanamics of chickpea based intercropping with linseed and seed spices on bbf under organic cultivation’’ was conducted during Rabi season of 2019-20 to 2022-23 at certified organic research farm of Centre of Organic Agriculture Research and Training (COART), Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (Maharashtra). Result: In case of chickpea, the crop growth parameters and yield attributes of chickpea were found to be improved with sole cropping of chickpea than intercropping system with linseed and seed spices. However, in case of other crops, higher crop growth parameters and yield attributes of ajwain were found in intercropping system with chickpea.

Improving Water Use Efficiency and Economic Benefits of Cropping System Through Intercropping in an Arid Climate

The sustainable increase of total productivity by improving resources use efficiency in arid agricultural farming areas is crucial, and intercropping may be a good practice to be implemented in these arid regions. For this purpose, a three-year field experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the research farm of the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station of Gonabad, Gonabad, Iran to assess the agronomic and economic indices of intercropping patterns. The experiment treatments included C1: sole cotton, C2: sole sesame, and intercropping ratios (C3: 20:80, C4: 40:60, C5: 50:50, C6: 60:40, and C7: 80:20 cotton-sesame ratio). The results showed that the leaf chlorophyll content and leaf area index were significantly higher in the intercropped plants compared to the sole cropped plants. The yield components of both crops (such as branches per plant, capsules per plant, seeds per capsule, and 1000-seed weight for sesame, and opened bolls per plant, closed boll per plant, and seed cotton per boll for cotton) significantly improved under intercropping. However, the highest sesame seed yield (2703, 1979, and 1358 kg ha-1, respectively) and seed cotton yield (3749, 2179, and 3426 kg ha-1, respectively) in the three experiment years were observed in the sole cropping treatment. The implementation of intercropping significantly improved the water use efficiency of the cropping system, so that the highest values in the first to third year (0.67, 0.51, and 0.41 kg m-3, respectively) were recorded in the C4, C3, and C7 treatments. The intercropping evaluation indices revealed the advantage of intercropping compared to the sole cropping. The highest value of the land equivalent ration in the first year (1.28) belonged to the C4 treatment, while in the second and third years, belonged to the C7 treatment (1.40 and 1.10, respectively). The calculation of the aggressivity index revealed that in most of the intercropping patterns, especially in the first and second years, cotton showed greater competitive ability than sesame. The highest actual yield loss value in the first year (0.64) belonged to the C3 treatment, while in the second and third years, belonged to the C7 treatment (1.42 and 0.34, respectively). The highest economic advantage in terms of the monetary advantage index in the first year was obtained by the C4 treatment (1140.5), and in the second and third years, was observed in the C7 treatment (940.6 and 265.5, respectively). The intercropping advantage index in the three experiment years was highest (1.41, 3.38, and 0.80, respectively) for the C7 treatment. Eventually, the results of this research show that cotton and sesame are able to adapt well to the intercropping and this cropping system can significantly improve the resources use efficiency (especially water and land) in an arid area enjoying greater economic benefit than sole cropping

Influence of bamboo - soybean agroforestry system on soil chemical characteristics in northern transitional zone of Karnataka

A prospective avenue for sustainable land management in India involves the utilization of a bamboo-centered agroforestry system. A scientific research was conducted during the kharif season of 2022 at the Main Agricultural Research Station in Dharwad to investigate the soil chemical characteristics within an agroforestry framework centered around bamboo and soybean. The composite samples were analyzed for several chemical attributes including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium. The experiment featured five distinct treatments denoted as T1 (Bambusa balcooa + Soybean), T2 (Dendrocalamus stocksii + Soybean), T3 (Dendrocalamus asper + Soybean), T4 (Bambusa vulgaris + Soybean), and T5 (Sole soybean). Notably, the soil pH exhibited a decline under the bamboo-based agroforestry system when compared to the exclusive soybean cultivation. However, there was no statistically significant variance observed in soil electrical conductivity (EC) between the control and the agroforestry systems. Moreover, the levels of soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were notably higher in the bamboo-centric agroforestry system compared to the sole soybean cropping. Consequently, the sustained adoption of a bamboo-focused agroforestry system has the potential to enhance soil chemical attributes and enrich nutrient status over the long term.

MAXIMIZING PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH MAIZE AND BUSHBEAN INTERCROPPING IN THE HILL VALLEYS OF BANDARBAN

Intercropping is based on the idea that two or more crop species can use natural resources better together than if grown separately. A field experiment was undertaken to investigate the performance and economic advantages of intercropping Bushbean with Maize in Bakichara hill valleys of Bandarban during the rabi season of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Three treatments viz. Sole Maize, Sole Bushbean, and Maize+Bushbean were used for the experiment. The aggregated data from a two-year study revealed that the maize and bushbean intercropping system did not significantly influence the yield and its associated attributes of maize. However, it exerted a significant influence on the productivity of bushbean in comparison to the production of bushbean as a sole crop. The intercropping combination exhibited considerably better values for the benefit cost ratio (BCR) (5.11), gross return (487750 Tk. ha-1), net return (392250 Tk. ha-1), LER (1.62), ATER (1.51) and maize equivalent yield (19.51 t ha-1) compared to sole crops.

Nutrient Uptake of Maize as Influenced by Intercropping with Different Genotype of Groundnut under Temperate Kashmir Valley

A field experiment on ‘Nutrient uptake of maize as influenced by intercropping with different genotype of groundnut under temperate Kashmir valley” was conducted at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura, Sopore during 2021 and 2022. The experimental soil exhibited silty clay loam characteristics with adequate drainage and normal levels of both reaction and salinity. The experimental treatments comprised of sole crops and various row proportions of maize intercropped with groundnut. The experimental design was randomized complete block design, consist nineteen treatments that were replicated three times. Treatment comprised of T1 (Sole maize, 60 cm), T2 (sole paired maize, 75-45-75 cm), T3 (Sole paired maize,90-30-90 cm), T4 (Sole groundnut TG-84), T5 (Sole groundnut TG-37-A), T6 (Sole groundnut TG-88), T7 (Sole groundnut TG-89), T8 Alternate row of maize + groundnut TG- 84 (30 + 30 cm ),T9 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 84 (75-45-75 cm maize in between 25-25 cm groundnut),T10 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 84 (90-30-90 cm maize in between 30-30 cm groundnut), T11 Alternate row of maize + groundnut TG- 37-A (30 + 30 cm ) T12 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 37-A (75-45-75 cm maize in between 25-25 cm groundnut), T13 paired row of maize + Groundnut TG- 37-A (90-30-90 cm maize in between 30-30 cm groundnut), T14 Alternate rows of maize + Groundnut TG- 88 (30 + 30 cm),T15 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 88 (75-45-75 cm maize in between 25-25 cm groundnut), T16 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 88 (90-30-90 cm maize in between 30-30 cm groundnut), T17 Alternate rows of maize + groundnut TG- 89 (30 + 30 cm), T18 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 89 (75-45-75 cm maize in between 25-25 cm groundnut), T19 Paired row of maize+ groundnut TG- 89 (90-30-90 cm maize in between 30-30 cm groundnut). The two years of result revealed that intercropping increased the total N, P and K uptake and enhancing yield of both the crop. Total N, P and K uptake was recorded significantly higher with paired row of maize (75/45 cm spacing) in intercrop with groundnut variety TG-37-A as compared to sole maize. In intercrop N, P and K uptake was recorded significantly higher in sole groundnut variety TG-37-A followed by TG-84, TG-88 and TG-89.

Effect of red clover undersowing on foliage, leaf gas exchange, and yield of spring wheat

The use of undersown plants, thanks to their favourable effect on multiple environmental characteristics, is an environmentally-friendly crop cultivation method. A valuable undersown crop is red clover, which is often grown with spring cereals. The aim of the study was to investigate the following issues: how will the cultivation of the spring wheat with undersown red clover (called intercropping) or growing spring wheat in a mixture with red clover affect the leaf gas exchange in this cereal? Will the process be modified by plant densities? Will the cultivation of the spring wheat mixture change the foliage characteristics and the wheat yield? The following parameters were studied: stomatal conductance, intercellular CO<sub>2</sub> concentration, assimilation rate, transpiration rate, limitation value, photosynthetic water use efficiency, leaf area, leaf area index, leaf mass per area, chlorophyll content, N<sub>area</sub>, P<sub>area</sub>, leaf temperature, and grain yield. It was demonstrated that the mixed sowing variant reduced the photosynthesis parameters in the leaves of wheat. In this species, a significant reduction in the stomatal conductance, intercellular CO<sub>2</sub> concentration, net assimilation rate, and transpiration rate and an increase in the limitation value and water use efficiency were noted. The wheat leaves were characterised by a higher temperature in the object with the mixed sowing variant. The wheat grain yield in the mixture was 12.6-17.5% lower than in the sole crop.

Assessment of Bioefficacy of Chilli Pepper Capsicum frutescens (L.) and its Intercropping on the Performance and Insect Pests Management of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.)

A study was conducted at the Yaba College of Technology Instructional and Research Farm in 2022 and 2023 wet and dry seasons to determine the bio-efficacy of chilli pepper, (Capsicum frutescens (L.)) and its intercropping on the growth, yield and insect pest management of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.)). The experiment was laid out in a 3×4 factorial experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 treatments (chilli pepper extract at 200l/ha, 250l/ha, and local control) at 3 replications in alternate intercropping, strip cropping, border cropping, and sole cropping arrangement. The chilli pepper aqueous extract at 200 l/ha and 250 l/ha sprayed on the Bambara groundnut plants were sprayed as scheduled from 10 am to 12 noon with the view of protecting it with aqueous extract of chilli pepper on 12 plots of 60 ridges. Data were collected on growth parameters of Bambara groundnut at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after planting, pest population, assessment of thrips and legume pod borer, assessment of both nymph and adult of legume pod borer and pod sucking bugs, pod density, pod damage, grain yield, yield loss and assessment of phytotoxicity signs using Analysis of Variance. Results showed that 250 l/ha aqueous extract treated plots reduced the number of insect pests including thrips (4.67±1.09), legume pod borer (1.76±0.35), legume pod borer nymph (1.08±0.10) adults of pod borers (1.18±0.11) and pod sucking bugs adult (3.33±1.09) in intercropping situation, followed by 200 l/ha respectively as compared to untreated plots (2.69±0.12). There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the treated plots (9.08±0.62) and untreated plots (12.44±0.71) in terms of pod damage as well as increased grain yields (343.73±4.71) when compared to the untreated control (322.12±43). However, 250 l/ha causes higher phytotoxicity damage than 200 l/ha although it controlled pest population better than 200 l/ha. Alternate cropping proved to be superior to other cropping system with respect to grain yield (36.78±12.99), reduction in pest infestation (6.33±1.23) and reduction in yield loss (299.58±9.41) when compared to sole cropping of Bambara groundnut with respect to grain yield (100.24±12.99), reduction in pest infestation (15.33±1.23) and reduction in yield loss (395.27±9.41). The bio-pesticidal effect of chilli pepper on Bambara groundnut insects may be due to the presence of active ingredients present in chilli pepper including glycosides, tannin, terpenoides, flavonoids, saponin, reducing sugar, steroids, and resins. This result indicates the potential of using plant extract with insecticidal attributes for the protection of Bambara groundnut in low input agriculture practiced by limited resource farmers in developing countries.

The Effects of Incorporating Caraway into a Multi-Cropping Farming System on the Crops and the Overall Agroecosystem

The scientific aim of this article is to investigate the potential benefits of implementing a multi-cropping system, specifically focusing on the incorporation of caraway, to improve soil agrochemical and biological properties, prevent soil degradation and erosion, and ultimately enhance soil quality and health to better adapt to climate change. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the comparative analysis of various soil parameters and biological indicators to showcase the promising perspectives and importance of perennial crop production for improving soil quality and agricultural sustainability. These crops are designed to provide multiple benefits simultaneously, including improved yields, enhanced ecosystem services, and reduced environmental effects. However, an integrated assessment of their overall effects on the agroecosystem is crucial to understand their potential benefits and trade-offs. The field experiment was conducted over three consecutive vegetative seasons (2017 to 2021) at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) in Kaunas district, Lithuania. The experimental site is located at 54°53′7.5″ N latitude and 23°50′18.11″ E longitude. The treatments within a replicate were multi-cropping systems of sole crops (spring barley (1), spring wheat (2), pea (3), caraway (4)), binary crops (spring barley–caraway (5), spring wheat–caraway (6), pea–caraway (7)), and trinary crops (spring barley–caraway–white clover (8), spring wheat–caraway–white clover (9), pea–caraway–white clover (10)) crops. However, an integrated assessment of their impact on the agroecosystem is needed to understand their potential benefits and processes. To determine the complex interactions between indicators, the interrelationships between indicators, and the strength of impacts, this study applied an integrated assessment approach using the comprehensive assessment index (CEI). The CEI values showed that integrating caraway (Carum carvi L.) into multi-cropping systems can have several positive effects. The effect of the binary spring barley and caraway and the trinary spring barley, caraway, and white clover crops on the agroecosystem is positively higher than that of the other comparative sole, binary, and trinary crops. Caraway, after spring wheat together with white clover, has a higher positive effect on the agroecosystem than caraway without white clover. Specifically, this study addresses key aspects, such as soil health, nutrient cycling, weed management, and overall agricultural sustainability, within the context of multi-cropping practices. By evaluating the effects of these cropping systems on soil agrochemical properties and ecosystem dynamics, the research provides valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices that promote environmental conservation and long-term soil health.

Performance of Direct-Seeded Upland Rice-Based Intercropping Systems Under Paired Rows in East-West Orientation

Production potential of rice based intercropping systems with legumes in Uganda is little known. Studies were conducted at Ikulwe Station of the National Agricultural Research Organisation to evaluate upland rice-based intercropping systems under paired-rows in the EW direction. A randomized complete block design with 3 replications was adopted during 2022 and 2023 with 8 pure stand and intercropped treatments. Adjustment from conventional planting to paired rows recorded high rice height and significant 1000 seed weights. In 2022 the 2 pure rice treatments produced significantly more tillers and panicles but legume intercrops reduced numbers of rice tillers and panicles. Intercropping significantly reduced the beans height (48%) and soybean pods (41%) during both years and also reduced the pods filling for beans (66%), groundnuts (36%) and soybeans (18.3%) during 2022. Although paired rice did not influence rice yield during both years, lower mean yield for rice (19.8%), beans (35%), groundnuts (33%) and soybeans (30.5%) were recorded. Lower legume intercrop yields were similarly recorded for beans (70%), groundnuts (73%) and soybeans (62%) during 2023. Partial (p) land equivalent ratios (LER) for intercrops were not significant and less than unity, but the one for rice intercropped with beans increased to more than unity (1.06) during 2023. All combined LER for rice-legumes were more than unity and the pLER of sole crops was 1.0. Rice + beans recorded high area time equivalent ratio during the 2 years while high relative equivalent yield and monetary advantage indices were recorded under rice + soybeans. Rice was more aggressive than other crops and intercropped treatments recorded higher Total Rice Grain yield equivalent (TRGYE) than sole rice. Rice + soybeans (2022) and rice + beans (2023) scored higher TRGY. The findings suggest that farmers can intercrop soybean in rice under paired rows in EW orientation for more benefits.

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.

Intercropping Chickpea with Durum Wheat Enhances Nutrient Uptake and Grain Yield Under Low Phosphorus Availability

ABSTRACT Intercropping is a traditional farming system that increases crop diversity to strengthen agroecosystem functions while decreasing chemical inputs and minimizing negative environmental effects of crop production. However, the effect of intercropping legume-cereal in enhancing nutrient uptake and use efficiency under low phosphorus (P) soils is poorly understood. Growth, nodulation, P uptake and use efficiency, and changes in inorganic P availability in the rhizosphere of intercropped species were thus investigated in a field experiment with durum wheat and chickpea either grown alone or intercropped. The results showed that both plant biomass and grain yield, and consequently, the amount of P uptake by intercropped durum wheat increased significantly (30%, 12%, and 46%, respectively) compared with sole cropping during the two seasons. P availability increased in the rhizosphere of the two species, either grown as sole crops or as intercrops, and was enhanced by intercropping. Moreover, total biomass, grain yield, and P uptake were significantly improved, as indicated by higher land equivalent ratio (LER > 1) in intercropping over sole cropping treatments. The increased biomass and grain yield for intercropped durum wheat were associated with the stimulation of P absorption and use efficiency. Furthermore, intercropped wheat was more competitive than their respective chickpea over two growing seasons. The results of this study suggest that changes in the intercropped chickpea rhizosphere may enhance plant growth, P uptake, and use efficiency of the intercropped wheat under low-P soils.

Intercropping Maize with Faba Bean Improves Yield, Income, and Soil Fertility in Semiarid Environment.

Continuous adoption of improved maize varieties in the last three decades has changed farm landscapes from heterogeneity to maize homogeneity in semiarid areas of Ethiopia. This has substantially decreased maize productivity. Recently, farmers have integrated faba bean into maize-based farming systems aimed at increasing productivity. Yet, there is limited information on the effects of maize-faba bean intercropping on productivity and land-use efficiency. We studied the effects of maize intercrops with two faba bean varieties (Gora and Moti) at three different densities (25, 50, and 75%) of the recommended sole faba bean (250,000 plants ha-1) on yield, economic return, and some soil fertility indicators in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used for the experiment. The intercrops revealed that a significantly higher total grain yield, economic revenue, and land equivalent ratio (LER) over the sole cropping. Intercrops also showed higher soil organic carbon and total nitrogen compared to the preplanting soil and sole maize. Maize intercropped with the Gora faba bean variety at a density of 50% increased the total grain yields, economic return, and LER, respectively, by 13, 42, and 38% over the sole maize. The intercrop also increased soil total N by 55 and 22% compared to the preplanting soil and sole maize, respectively. Intercropping maize with faba bean significantly improved crop yield, income, land-use productivity, and some soil fertility indicators than either the sole maize or faba bean crop in the semiarid region of northern Ethiopia.

Performance of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L) and Pigeon pea (Cajanus Cajan L.) Intercropping System under North Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha, India

Performance of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L) and Pigeon pea (Cajanus Cajan L.) Intercropping System under North Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha, India

Effect of Legume-Legume Replacement Series of Intercropping System on Growth, Yield and Quality of Chickpea

Chickpea is major pulse crop cultivated in India. Area under chickpea cultivation has been increasing day by day. Although area of chickpea is increasing still the productivity per unit area is not increasing. There are many factor responsible for lack of productivity including crop failure. Therefore, increasing productivity and for avoiding the risk associated with complete crop failure, intercropping is the way forward. Intercropping of legume in association with non-legumes helps in utilization of nitrogen being fixed by legumes in the current growing season, but also helps in residual build-up of nutrients in soil. Best utilization of nutrients, moisture, space and solar energy can be derived through intercropping system. Intercropping provides an insurance against calamities and helps in the maximization of productivity and profit by efficient utilization of natural resources. Hence, crop intensification is both in space and time dimensions. Selection of compatible genotype and appropriate planting pattern helps in minimizing the inter-specific and intra-specific competition for resources thereby boosting up the productivity of the system as a whole. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at College Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat during two consecutive rabi season of the year 2019-20 and 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD), consisting of nine treatment. viz.; T1: sole chickpea, T2: sole linseed, T3: sole fenugreek, T4: (chickpea + linseed 2:1), T5: (chickpea + linseed 3:1), T6: (chickpea + linseed 4:2), T7: (chickpea + fenugreek 2:1), T8: (chickpea + fenugreek 3:1) and T9: (chickpea + fenugreek 4:2) with four replication. Legume intercropping resulted in better growth due to complimentary actions of the both the crop. The total equivalent yield obtained from intercropping far surpasses the yield of the sole crop in unit area.

Quinoa–Olive Agroforestry System Assessment in Semi-Arid Environments: Performance of an Innovative System

Agroforestry is a promising way to sustain land use efficiency in semi-arid areas. In this study, we introduce quinoa as a drought- and salinity-tolerant crop in olive-based agroforestry. We investigated how the microclimate created by olive trees affects agronomic and biochemical traits in quinoa and evaluated the performance of this new olive-based agroforestry system in terms of land equivalent ratio (LER). Field experiments were carried out under two pedoclimatic conditions (S1) and (S2) using a randomized complete block design with two cropping systems (sole crop (SCS) and agroforestry (AFS) systems), four quinoa cultivars (Puno, Titicaca, ICBA-Q5, and ICBA-Q4) and one olive orchard as a control (OR) in each block. Our results show that AFS had lower grain yield (−45%), dry biomass (−49%), and crop water productivity (−44%), but higher plant height (12%), grain protein (4%), saponin (26%), total polyphenol (12%), and DPPH (9%) contents compared to SCS. The highest grain yield was recorded for Titicaca and ICBA-Q5 (1.6 t ha−1). The LER ranged from 1.57 to 2.07, indicating that the overall productivity was 57% to 107% higher in the agroforestry system compared with the monoculture. We suggest that quinoa–olive tree intercropping could be a promising agroecological practice under semi-arid conditions.

An evaluation of energy and carbon budgets in diverse cropping systems for sustainable diversification of rainfed uplands in India's eastern hill and plateau region

With increasing cost and use of energy in agriculture, the traditional practice of mono-cropping of rice in upland is neither sustainable nor eco-friendly. It is necessary to identify crop diversification options with high energy efficiency, productivity, and low global warming potential (GWP). In this experiment, an inclusive system analysis was accomplished for 3 years (2016–2019) of five mono-cropping production (MCP) systems namely rice (R), finger millet (FM), black gram (BG), horse gram (HG), pigeon pea (PP), and four intercropped systems viz. R+BG, R+HG, FM+ BG, and FM + HG. The key objective was to evaluate the flow of energy, carbon balance, and GWP of these varied production systems. Puddled rice was recorded as an energy-exhaustive crop (27,803 MJ ha−1), while horse gram was noted to have the lowest energy use (26,537 MJ ha−1). The total energy output from pigeon pea (130,312 MJ ha−1) and diversified intercropped systems (142,135 MJ ha−1) was 65.3% and 80.3% higher than mono-cultured systems, respectively. Rice and rice-based intercropping production systems showed higher carbon footprints (1,264–1,392 kg CO2 eq. ha−1). Results showed that R+BG and R+HG were the most energy-efficient production systems, having higher energy ratio (5.8 and 6.0), higher carbon efficiency (7.41 and 8.24), and carbon sustainability index (6.41 and 7.24) as against 3.30, 3.61, and 2.61 observed under sole cropping production systems. On average, rice and rice-based production systems had 7.4 times higher GWP than other production systems. In productivity terms, pigeon pea and FM+HG had higher rice equivalent yields of 8.81 and 5.79 t ha−1 and benefit-cost ratios of 2.29 and 1.87, respectively. Thus, the present study suggests that pigeon pea and finger millet-based intercropping systems were the most appropriate crop diversification options for the rainfed upland agro-ecosystem of the eastern region of India.

Enhancing cotton sustainability: Multi-factorial intercropping, irrigation, and weed effects on productivity, quality and physiology

Drought stress and weed infestation are significant factors that significantly decrease cotton yield. Increasing the variety of plants within a cotton field ecosystem can strengthen its stability and protect it from susceptibility to both biotic and abiotic pressures. In this two-year experiment (2021 and 2022), the effects of intercropping systems (four growth conditions including mono- and inter-cropped cotton varieties Golestan and Hekmat with Nepeta crispa and dragon's head (Lallemantia iberica)), irrigation (three intervals of 3, 6, and 9 days), and weed competition (weed-free and weedy plots) on the agronomic performance, physiological characteristics, and seed quality of cotton in a semi-arid region of Iran were studied. In 2021, the volume of irrigation water applied was 9873, 6100, and 4650 m3 ha−1 for irrigation intervals of 3, 6, and 9 days, respectively. In 2022, the volumes were 9071, 5605, and 4272 m3 ha−1 for the corresponding irrigation intervals. Over two years, Xanthium strumarium, Amaranthus retroflexus, and Portulaca oleracea were the dominant weed species. Weeds had the most significant impact on total dry weight; weed control increased plant vigor and growth, ranging from 1.4 to 2.3 times, while weed impact on cottonseed yield ranged from 18% to 96% reduction. Increasing irrigation intervals resulted in reductions in various parameters, with decreases of 39%–80% in total dry weight, 34%–57% in cottonseed yield, and 48%–72% in lint yield. The harvest indices for seed cotton, cottonseed, and lint ranged from 35.3% to 56.5%, 18.3%–35.0%, and 15.4%–20.5%, respectively. Weeds were responsible for a 17% decrease in the 1000-seed weight. As the irrigation intervals increased from 3 days to 6 days and 9 days, the number of bolls per plant decreased by 19%–85%. Extending the irrigation interval from 3 days to 6 days and 9 days resulted in a substantial decrease in the photosynthetic rate, ranging from 42% to 92%. Mono-cropped Golestan performed well under unstressed conditions such as 3-day interval irrigation and weed-free conditions. On the other hand, intercropped Hekmat demonstrated better resilience to both moisture and weed stresses. The LER (Land equivalent ratio) indices of both intercropping systems were generally favorable, indicating higher productivity compared to sole cropping. The intercropping systems consistently showed the highest LER indices under weedy conditions, highlighting the significance of intercropping as a valuable method in integrated weed management.

Economics of strip cropping with autonomous machines

AbstractAutonomous machines have the potential to maintain food production and agroecological farming resilience. However, autonomous complex mixed cropping is proving to be an engineering challenge because of differences in plant height and growth pattern. Strip cropping is technically the simplest mixed cropping system, but widespread use is constrained by higher labor requirements in conventional mechanized farms. Researchers have long hypothesized that autonomous machines (i.e., crop robots) might make strip cropping profitable, thereby allowing farmers to gain additional agroecological benefits. To examine this hypothesis, this study modeled ex‐ante scenarios for the Corn Belt of central Indiana, using the experience of the Hands Free Hectare‐Linear Programming (HFH‐LP) optimization model. Results show that per annum return to operator labor, management, and risk‐taking (ROLMRT) was $568/ha and $163/ha higher for the autonomous corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] strip crop farm compared to the whole field sole crop and the conventional strip crop farms, respectively, that were operated by human drivers. The conventional strip cropping practice was found challenging as this cropping system required four times more temporary hired labor than autonomous strip cropping and three times more than whole field sole cropping. Even if autonomous machines need 100% human supervision, the ROLMRT was higher compared to whole field sole cropping. Profitable autonomous strip cropping could restore and improve in‐field biodiversity and ecosystem services through a sustainable techno‐economic and environmental approach that will address the demand for healthier food and promote environmental sustainability.

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.