Sole Crop Research Articles

A Growing Prosperity of Okra Cultivation (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) under Mahaneem (Ailanthus excelsa) Based Agro-Silviculture System in a Semi-Arid Region of India

Production of food to feed the rapidly growing population of India is the current challenge. To overcome such global issues of food security and climate change, there is a need to develop a good economically feasible agroforestry system in the tropics. Besides that, Indian farmers also facing the effect of climate change on the monocropping system and lack of optimum land utilization for their economic sustainability. Hence, the economic feasibility of okra cultivation in the agri-silviculture system of mahaneem (Alianthus excelsa) in the arid zone was conducted at the Regional Research Station in Bawal, Haryana, India during two consecutive rainy seasons from July 2020 to October 2020 and July 2021 to October 2021. To create an economically prosperous agro-forestry system, okra varieties Varsha Uphar and Hisar Naveen were planted under various planting densities of Mahaneem in an agri-silvicultural system. Nevertheless, agroforestry is a compelling alternative that encourages social, economic, ecological and agricultural sustainability in response to these challenges. The ratio of net return to cultivation cost was used to compute the benefit-cost ratio for the test of the economic feasibility of the proposed agroforestry system in the semi-arid zone climate of India. The present study revealed that 10 x 10 m planting spacing with the Hisar Naveen okra variety calculated the highest net return (108528 Rs./ha & 123884 Rs./ha in the consecutive years) and benefit-cost ratio (1.90 & 1.86 in the consecutive years) which was highest profitable for farmers to get economic and ecological security. Hence, it is recommended that the Mahaneem-based agro-silviculture system, specifically incorporating the Hisar Naveen variety, proves to be economically more feasible compared to sole cropping which offers practical guidance for farmers and policymakers seeking effective strategies to enhance agricultural productivity amidst evolving environmental conditions.

Seed Quality and Longevity of Four Cowpea Accessions in Relation to Seed Coat Colour

Background: Cowpea is one of the most important legumes grown as a sole crop or integrated into farming systems in Africa. Seed quality plays a crucial role in plant population establishment in stressed environment. However, the behaviour of cowpea seeds with different seed coat colours at storage is not known. The study therefore aimed to assess the effect of seed coat colour on seed quality and longevity of seeds of four cowpea accessions. Methods: Two experiments (field and laboratory) were conducted at the CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso, Ghana for a period of 3 years. Seeds of four cowpea accessions dried to a moisture content of 7% and packaged in aluminium foil packets were stored at -20°C in a deep freezer for 30 months. The quality of stored seeds was measured by seed vigour and germination percentage at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months after storage (MAS). Before storage, the 100-seed weight and initial seed quality were assessed. Result: The study showed significant differences in seed vigour and germination percentage at 6 and 12 months after storage (MAS) among the four cowpea accessions. Light-coloured accessions (GH7175 and GH8800) of cowpea seeds showed higher vigour and were of better quality than those of dark colours (GH3677 and GH2323) at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months after storage.

Root spatial distribution and belowground competition in an apple/ryegrass agroforestry system

CONTEXTForestry and fruit industry is a unique and advantageous industry in Xinjiang, China, and it is an important channel for farmers to increase income. With limited land resources and a shortage of forage in southern Xinjiang, farmers began to establish a fruit-grass interplanting model to improve the comprehensive economic benefits of orchards. OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to explore the effects of apple/ryegrass intercropping system on root spatial distribution and competition, and to evaluate the performance of field microclimate, soil physical properties and productivity under intercropping. METHODSIn the study, three different planting patterns were designed: sole-cropped apple (The spacing of the rows of apple trees was 4.0 m, and the plant spacing was 1.0 m), sole-cropped ryegrass (Strip sowing, row spacing was 0.25 m), and apple/ryegrass intercropping (The distance from apple row to ryegrass row was 1.0 m). Two-year field experiments were conducted to measure the root length density (RLD), specific root length (SRL), interspecific competitiveness index, soil moisture content, organic matter content, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, yield, land equivalent ratio (LER) and aggressivity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONCompared with sole cropping, intercropping reduced the RLD of apple and ryegrass and increased the SRL of ryegrass. The competition space between apple and ryegrass was concentrated in the soil area of 100 cm horizontally and 0–20 cm vertically, and apple was more competitive than ryegrass. Intercropping increased the content of soil moisture and organic matter and improved the microclimate of farmland, decreased the air temperature, increased the relative humidity of an orchard, and decreased wind speed. Although intercropping reduced ryegrass and apple yield, land equivalent ratio (LER) was 1.27–1.30, indicating that intercropping improved land use efficiency. Root competition led to an uneven distribution of root length density (RLD) and specific root length (SRL). The plasticity of root morphology and root spatial distribution was key to adapting to competition and maximizing the absorption of water and nutrients in apple/ryegrass agroforestry systems. SIGNIFICANCEApple/ryegrass intercropping system maximizes resource utilization and reduces interspecies resource competition. It improved land use efficiency, improved the comprehensive benefits of fruit and grass production.

Diversification of wheat-maize double cropping with legume intercrops improves nitrogen-use efficiency: Evidence at crop and cropping system levels

Context or problemThe sustainability of traditional maize-wheat (M-W) double cropping in the North China Plain (NCP) is threatened by excessive nitrogen (N) input and surplus. Meanwhile, there is strong market demand of more protein and oil crops, such as soybean or peanut. Incorporation of legumes into M-W via intercropping with maize is emerging in the NCP to foster China’s self-sufficiency for edible oils and proteins. Objective or research questionIt is unknown how such a change in cropping system affects the required annual fertilizer N input, and the resulting N-use efficiency (NUE) and N surplus (Ns). MethodsWe conducted a four-year field experiment involving four N fertilizer rates and rotations of winter wheat with six different summer crops: maize (conventional and density-increased), peanut (P), soybean (S), and intercrops of density-increased maize and peanut or soybean (MP, MS). The “three-quadrant diagram” and NUE proposed by the EU Nitrogen Expert Panel (EUNEP) were used to assess NUE at crop and cropping system level, respectively. ResultsLand equivalent ratios of N uptake in intercrops averaged 1.02–1.07 while N fertilizer equivalent ratios averaged 1.15–1.20, indicating more efficient N uptake and more yield per unit fertilizer than sole crops. Intercropped maize exhibited greater N acquisition efficiency than sole maize. Inclusion of intercrops lowered required annual N inputs and Ns and increased the apparent recovery efficiency (RE) of applied N and EUNEP-NUE. Soybean was a more productive and N-use efficient companion species for maize than peanut. Increasing N decreased RE and EUNEP-NUE while elevated Ns of all rotation systems. N productivity responses of each rotation system to increasing N followed a “linear-plateau” model. Compared to M-W with an optimal 240–360 kg N/ha, MS-W with 210–320 kg N/ha saved 11.1–12.5% fertilizer, increased N uptake by 12.4–16.0%, augmented RE from 36.0–37.0% to 47.8%, increased EUNEP-NUE from 0.50 to 0.67 kg/kg (within the target of 0.50–0.90 kg/kg), lowered Ns by 38.8–39.2%, and reduced N emission by 48.6–49.3%. ConclusionsTherefore, here we show for the first time, using multiple N performance indicators, that MS-W with moderate N provides diversified products, higher N productivity, NUE and lower N loss than M-W, thus being a suitable option for sustainable intensification of agricultural production. Implications or significanceSuch a diversified rotation approach with legume intercropping aligns with the principles of agricultural green development and has a global relevance for countries with sequential double cropping or rotation systems.

Correlation study in growth parameters of Pongamia (Pongamia pinnata) and physiological parameters of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) in agroforestry system

The present investigation was conducted to study the tree crop interaction considering the Pongamia (Pongamiapinnata) tree morphological characteristics and physiological parameters of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) inagroforestry system. The experiment was conducted during kharif 2019-20 and 2020-21 in "T" block, Agroforestryexperimental fields of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad campus which is located at 15° 26' North latitude and75° 0' East longitude, with an elevation (altitude) of 678 m above mean sea level. Pongamia pinnata provenance's growthand volume observations were recorded. They included tree height, tree girth, canopy cover and number of branches etc.Two years pooled data recorded maximum values in treatment (T1) RAK-1 (Rahuri Karanja-1) + black gram followed by(T9) RAK-9 + black gram which is on par with (T6) RAK-7 + black gram. Lowest values recorded in (T8) RAK-9 + blackgram which is on par with (T4) RAK-4 + black gram. Whereas the growth parameters of black gram like leaf area duration(LAD), absolute growth rate (AGR), crop growth rate (CGR) and dry matter accumulation recorded under Pongamiaprovenances which showed opposite trend because of the fluctuations of light and mutual shading of the crops within or inbetween rows, frequent overcast due to clouds as a common phenomenon during tropical and sub-tropical monsoonscausing regular fluctuation of sunlight. The treatment (T11) sole crop showed the maximum value, followed by (T8) RAK-9 + black gram and (T4) RAK4 + black gram and lowest value was recorded at (T1) RAK-1 + black gram treatment. Solelegumes recorded maximum AGR. CGR, LAD and dry matter accumulation were also found to have highest significantpositive correlation with seed yield.

Screening suitable legumes for living mulches to support nitrogen dynamics and weed control in a durum wheat-forage sorghum crop sequence

Relay intercropping of service legumes (living mulch) is a valuable agroecological practice to support nutrient availability, yield and non-chemical weed control in a crops sequence, if suitable legumes are chosen. This study tested the suitability of eight legume living mulches for relay intercropping in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) evaluating their effects on the subsequent forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in a Mediterranean low-input cereal-based cropping system. Legumes include perennial (Medicago sativa, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium repens, Hedysarum coronarium), annual (Trifolium incarnatum, Trifolium resupinatum) and annual self-seeding (Trifolium subterraneum, Medicago polymorpha) species. A plot experiment repeating two times a wheat-sorghum crop sequence, was carried out in Central Italy to assess the effects of relay intercropping of legumes on agronomical and economic performance of the associated wheat and subsequent sorghum. The legumes were undersown in the already developed durum wheat in late winter. They were maintained after wheat harvest and used as green manure by biomass chopping and plowing in the following spring at sorghum sowing time. None of the intercropped legumes affected N uptake or grain protein content of the companion wheat with respect to the control (wheat sole crop). In the spring before sorghum sowing, N input from legume biomass residues was assessed and it sensibly changed according to legume species, ranging from 1.2 (T. incarnatum) to 182 kg ha−1 (H. coronarium). The legume treatments significantly affected the N uptake in the subsequent sorghum and it ranged from 20.2 to 172.6 kg ha−1. Without the use of additional external nitrogen input, average sorghum dry biomass production preceded by H. coronarium (13.3 t ha−1), T. repens (11.8 t ha−1), T. subterraneum (11.0 t ha−1) and M. sativa (9.3 t ha−1) was in line with the productive level under conventional conditions. Biomass residues of M. sativa significantly reduced the total weed biomass in sorghum by 65% compared with the control. In sorghum, preceding legumes such as T. resupinatum and T. incarnatum promoted dicotyledonous weed growth. Hedysarum coronarium and T. repens were the best legumes for relay intercropping in the low-input wheat-sorghum crop sequence under Mediterranean conditions of this study according to agronomic and economic evaluation. These legumes were able to increase soil nitrogen content allowing to significantly reduce external nitrogen fertilization while optimizing sorghum production. When gross income is calculated at cropping system level, most legumes provide a positive economic balance.

Determine the Effective Spatial Arrangement in Intercropping Pechay (Brassica rapa, L. cv group Pak Choi) and Spring Onions (Allium fistulosum)

Intercropping, an essential cultivation pattern in modern agricultural systems, increases crop yields and soil quality. Pechay and spring onions are frequently intercropped to increase productivity per unit area. However, its management practice follows simple natural principles and its practice is limited only by the imagination of farmers. The objective of the study was to determine effective spatial arrangements for intercropping. The treatments tested were three intercropping ratios of peachy and spring onion in 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 arrangements compared against the sole cropping. Land equivalent ratio (LER) was used to compare the land use efficiency of the intercrops with each sole crop and IBM SPSS software’s were used to compute the analysis of variance. The total yield of intercropped crops were greater than sole cropping, shown by LER>1. The overall advantage of intercropping ranged from 47% to 66%. The highest land equivalent value was recorded for 2:1 pechay and spring onion row arrangements indicated a yield advantage of 66% over sole crop. The partial land equivalent value of both crops in intercropping was less than one indicating the cohesiveness of both crops in intercropping. Thus, it can be concluded that 2 pechay: 1 spring onion intercropping is a viable agronomic option in increasing land use efficiency and increased food security. It is, therefore, imperative to demonstrate the best treatment under farmer’s condition.

A global dataset of experimental intercropping and agroforestry studies in horticulture

Intercropping and agroforestry systems have been increasingly well studied and documented. Yet, so far, no dataset has provided a systematic synthesis of existing data on intercropping experiments in the specific field of horticulture. A systematic literature search was carried using search terms and applied to Web of Science. The resulting dataset includes data from field experiments published in 191 articles covering experiments worldwide, between 1982 and 2022. The selected experiments cover five continents and involved 118 different crop species. Through manual extraction of information from publications, the dataset includes (i) general information on the articles; (ii) experimental site soil and climate conditions; (iii) descriptions of intercropping designs; (iv) crop management practices; (v) measurements of sole crop and intercrop yields and (v) Land Equivalent Ratios. The dataset is arranged in an easily reusable spreadsheet with columns as variables (n = 45) and rows as treatment (n = 1544). The dataset is freely reusable and updateable. We expect that it will provide valuable information for statistical analysis, modeling and innovative farming system design based on intercropping.

MAIZE AND SOYA BEAN RESPONSE TO THE RESIDUAL INFLUENCE OF EARLY-SEASON CROPPING SYSTEM AND FERTILISER APPLICATIONS

Continuous land cultivation has led to the application of fertilisers to maintain high crop yields. Favourable effects of different fertiliser sources for improved crop performance have been reported. However, there is scarce information on crop response to the residual effect of organomineral fertilisers (OMFs) applied to early sole and maize-soya bean intercropping. Consequently, the objective of this study was to evaluate the residual effect of N levels of organomineral and inorganic fertilisers applied to maize and soya bean in sole cropping and intercropping. The study was conducted in the years 2017 and 2018 in the Southern Guinea Savannah, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria. Responses to the residual influence of early season cropping systems and applications of OMF and NPK 20-10-10 were evaluated in repeated field trials. The residual effects of a previously assessed 2 9 factorial arrangement, cropping system (sole and intercrop) and fertiliser applications (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 kg Nha of OMF and 50, 100, 150, 200 kg N ha of NPK fertiliser) were evaluated in a randomised complete block design with three replicates. Maize (ACR-95DT) and soya bean (TGX 1488-2E) were planted at densities of 40,000 and 74,000 plants ha, respectively. Data were analysed using ANOVA at p 0.05. Maize and soya bean plant heights and N uptake significantly increased under the residual influence of sole cropping compared to intercropping in both years. Furthermore, maize-soya bean intercropping produced significantly lower grain yields than their sole crops in both years. The land equivalent ratio of the system was greater than one in both years. The residual effect of early season intercropping reduced subsequent yields of maize and soya bean, while OMF residual effects favoured sole maize, sole bean, and maize-bean intercrop performances at 100 kg Nha.

Factors Influencing Selection and production of Common Bean Cultivars in medium Potential Agro Ecological Zone of Imenti South Sub-County, Kenya

Varietal selection is a key aspect in common bean production in Kenya since different varieties are bred for specific agro ecological conditions. In Kenya, many common bean varieties are found growing under medium agro ecological zones, however, some farmers have been found to grow some bean varieties not suited to preferred ecological zones. The current study was thus carried out to assess the factors that affect varietal selection and production of common beans in medium potential agro ecological zones of Imenti South Sub County, Meru County. The target population was 300 common bean farmers. A sample size of 75 farmers derived from Gaatia, Kathanthatu, Kiambogo and Kiigene villages using Nassiuma Formula. A structured questionnaire was administered to collected data on socioeconomic factors, common bean production systems and agronomic practices. The collected data weresubjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS version 9.4 and Significant means separated using least significant difference at p< 0.05. The findings on socio-economic factors revealed that farmers with higher levels of education produced more beans per unit area. Approximately 10.52 % of the 22.37 % of the farmers with tertiary college education had a production of 1.4 – 1.9 tonnes/ha. Majority (88.16 %) of the farmers applied DAP planting fertilizer,while none of the farmersapplied rock phosphate. Moreover, the highest percentage (34.9 %) of farmers who applied DAP had attained tertiary level education. Most (18.42 %) middle aged farmers did not apply rhizobium inoculant during planting. The most popular production system was mixed cropping (46.7 %) and the least was intercropping (6.59 %). Mixed cropping was highest in farmers who planted GLP 585 (13.33 %) and least in KAT B1 (10.23 %). Sole cropping was highest in Mwitemania (12.0 %) and least in Rose coco (6.58 %). Crop rotation was highest in Rose coco (5.26 %) and least in GLP 585, Mwitemania and KAT B1 (2.63 %). Intercropping was highest in Rose coco (2.63 %) and least in GLP 585, Mwitemania and KAT B1 varieties at (1.32 %).Bean variety KAT B1 despite being bred for semi-arid agro ecological zones, performed fairly well in medium potential agro ecological zones. Bean variety KAT B1 can be recommended for production in medium potential agro ecological zones to enhance common bean production and food security in Kenya.

Conflito entre humanos e ursos-negros: invasão de plantações pelo urso-negro-asiático (Ursus thibetanus) em Azad Jammu e Caxemira, Paquistão

Asiatic black bear has long been in conflict with human beings crop raiding is a major cause of this conflict frequently noted in South Asia. Crops raided by black bears affected by temporal, spatial and anthropogenic attributes. Insight in this conflict and its mitigation is vital for the conservation of this threatened species. Present study aimed to evaluate crop raiding by black bears in the mountainous region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Field surveys were carried out to observe spatial and temporal crop raiding features between 2015-2020 and data gathered using designed questionnaires randomly tailored in villages nearby the forests. Results revealed that maize was the sole crop raided by black bears. A total of 28-acre area was raided by black bear in the fall season (Aug-November) resulting in a damage of 51 metric tons, whole raiding was carried out at night. Each respondent received crop damage on 0.09 acre with a loss of 0.17 metric ton yield. Crop quantity and area were significantly correlated to each other. District Neelum shared 49% of the total crop loss, while 47% of the maize was raided at the altitudinal range of 2100-2500 m. crop raiding was highly significantly ( χ 2 = 1174.64 ; d f = 308 ; p < 0.01 ) dependent upon distance to the forest. Linear regression revealed that maize quantity was determined by area, time and the total field area. Farmers faced 3.8 million PKRs loss due to crop damage by black bears. Despite the huge loss, the majority (23%) of the respondents did not respond to the query on mitigation measures indicating a poor adaptation of preventive measures. Preferred strategy to avoid crop damage was making noise (27.8%) when bears attacked their crops. A start of compensation scheme to the farmers is recommended that will have turned their negative attitude into a positive one toward the wildlife and black bear particularly. Study provides a new insight in human-bear conflict, particularly in spatial and temporal context of crop raiding in AJ&K.

Performance of sunflower at different pruning regimes in Acacia albida based agroforestry system

A study was conducted in albida (Acacia albida) based agroforestry research field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) from November/2020-March/2021 to evaluate the performance of sunflower at different light intensity created by pruning off the albida canopy at different levels. The experiment was set up in a single-factor Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Five different treatments of the experiment were as follows; T1: albida tree (no pruning) T2: albida tree (25% pruning), T3: albida (50% pruning, T4: albida (75% pruning) and T5: sunflower sole cropping in open field. The results revealed that T1 treatment produced the tallest plant (100.72cm) followed by T2 (97.48cm) while the treatment T5 produced the shortest (72.95cm) plant. The fresh weight (81.67g) and dried weight (13.95g) of sunflower leaves were found maximum in T4 and the minimum fresh weight (53.48g) and dry weight (8.34g) were recorded in T1 treatment. The highest CGR (1.169mg/cm2/day) and RGR 66.58 (mg/g/day) values were found in T5 and was not significant with T4. The yield parameters of sunflower such as head diameter (15cm) and 1000 seeds weight (43.34g) were found maximum in T5 (open field) which was statistically similar to that of T4 treatment. The T5 yielded the highest (1.13t/ha) sunflower seeds followed by T4 (1.09t/ha). The study indicated that sunflower can be grown successfully under the albida tree canopy with 75% trimming. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. 27(2): 119-128

Productivity and profitability analysis of cauliflower as sole and intercropping with red amaranth and radish leafy vegetable

By using natural resources and agricultural inputs more effectively, intercropping is a desirable technique to boost crop output and economic return. The present study was conducted to figure out the most lucrative crop mix for an intercropping system of cauliflower with red amaranth and radish leafy vegetable. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used to set up the experiment. Treatments included nine different cropping systems, including sole cauliflower, sole red amaranth, sole radish leafy vegetable, cauliflower-red amaranth intercropping (1:1), cauliflower-leafy radish intercropping (1:1), cauliflower-red amaranth-leafy radish intercropping (1:1:1), cauliflower-red amaranth-leafy radish intercropping (2:1:1), cauliflower-red amaranth-leafy radish intercropping (1:2:1) and cauliflower-red amaranth-leafy radish intercropping (1:1:2) Productivity parameters of three intercrops (cauliflower-red amaranth-leafy radish) were collected and measured based on their yield and yield contributing traits in different stages of their growth upto the final harvest. And equivalent yield and land ratio along with benefit cost ratio were analyzed to check their profitability. Result illustrated that cauliflower, red amaranth and leafy radish produced the highest yield of 25.4, 13.5 and 18.6 tha-1, respectively when cultivated as a sole crop. However, when all of the three vegetables were grown as intercropping in different cropping system, cauliflower with red amaranth and leafy radish (1:1:1) produced the highest yield (33.2 tha-1) followed by cauliflower-red amaranth-radish intercropping (1:2:1) and cauliflower-red amaranth-radish intercropping (2:1:1) with the yield of 30.0 t ha-1 and 29.8 tha-1. After assessing the productivity and economic return, cauliflower with red amaranth and leafy radish (1:1:1) obtained the highest gross return (997102 Tk ha-1) and net return (512102 Tk ha-1) using the highest land equivalent ratio (2.0) followed by 900900 Tk ha-1 and 435900 Tk ha-1, respectively in the cropping system cauliflower-red amaranth-radish intercropping (1:2:1). The present study concluded that intercropping leafy vegetables (red amaranth and leafy radish) and cauliflower boosted overall productivity and economic return more than sole intercropping cauliflower.

Modelling crop yield in a wheat–soybean relay intercropping system: A simple routine in capturing competition for light

Moving from sole cropping to intercropping is a transformative change in agriculture, contributing to several ecosystem services. However, modelling intercropping is challenging due to intensive parameterisation, complex calibration, and experiment scarcity. To facilitate future understanding, design and adaptation of intercropping, it is therefore necessary to develop simple modelling routines capable of simulating essential features. In this paper, we integrated a light competition module requiring four parameters into MONICA, a generic agroecosystem model, with the goal of simulating a wheat–soybean relay-row intercropping system. We tested three calibration approaches using data from two years of field experiments located in Müncheberg, Germany: sole cropping-based calibration, intercropping-based calibration and a default calibration method that incorporates both systems. Under both irrigated and rainfed conditions, MONICA successfully reproduced the aboveground biomass and yield of sole crops from field experiments, with RMSEA ranging from 0.64 t ha−1 to 2.74 t ha−1 and RMSEY ranging from 0.003 t ha−1 to 0.47 t ha−1. By taking light competition into account, the modified MONICA was able to simulate interactive performance in relay-row intercropping. Generally, MONICA overestimated the aboveground biomass and yield across the three calibration strategies, and simulations for wheat were more accurate than those for soybean. However, a comparison among the calibration strategies revealed that the intercropping-based strategy outperformed the others. It significantly improved the model efficiency for soybean yield in intercropping, increasing the Index of Agreement from 0.27 to 0.73, and it decreased the Mean Bias Error for yield by up to 76%. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using a model that is simple in both calibration and inputs, yet detailed enough to simulate the complex aboveground light competition of intercropping. Additionally, they underscore the significance of cropping system specific calibration, highlighting the importance of calibrating crop performance specifically for intercropping in order to capture genotype-by-environment interactions.

Effect of in-situ moisture conservation practices on yield and economics of sunflower and pigeonpea intercropping in Vertisols of Northern Karnataka

Field experiments were conducted during Kharif 2020 and 2021 to study the effect of in-situ moisture conservation practices on yield and economics of sunflower and pigeonpea intercropping in Vertisols of Northern Karnataka. Treatments consisted of broad bed and furrow, ridges and furrow, tied ridging, conservation tillage, flatbed and opening furrow after every three rows at 30 DAS compared with flatbed sowing as main plots. Treatments in sub plots were sunflower + pigeonpea (1:1), sole pigeonpea and sunflower. Results showed that significantly higher yield and yield attributes of sunflower and pigeonpea were recorded in ridges and furrows followed by tied ridges and furrow. Yield of both the crops were significantly more in respective sole crops over theintercropping. Higher SEY, LER, net return and BC ratio were noticed in ridges and furrow under intercropping.

Ameliorating Forage Crop Resilience in Dry Steppe Zone Using Millet Growth Dynamics

Introducing new forage crops such as Japanese millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change in the dry steppe zone, expanding forage crop options, and obtaining nutritious feed for the development of animal husbandry. The aim of this study was to assess the productivity and feed value of these crops. Field experiments were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to investigate the changes and variations in the yields and chemical compositions of Japanese millet and pearl millet when grown as sole crops or in mixed cropping in the dry steppe zone of northern Kazakhstan. Among the annual crops sown via sole cropping, the hay of the Japanese millet, sown in the third decade of May and harvested during full heading, was observed to have a higher content of raw protein and other nutrients than Sudanese grass hay, that is, the raw protein content was higher at 1.81%, the raw oil content at 0.12, and the raw ash content at 1.88%. In addition, among the mixtures of crops, the hay of the crop mixtures containing pearl millet, sown in the above period and harvested as hay during the milky stage, the full heading stage, and the formation of spikelets in the grain family stage, differed from the hay of Sudanese grass sown in the same period and collected during full heading in terms of the contents of raw protein and other nutrients and the low content of raw ash, that is, the content of raw protein was at 2.16%, raw oil at 0.39, raw ash at 0.95, without nitrogen extractives (WNEs) at 3.78, and starch at 0.11. The calcium content was higher by 0.08% and carotene by 0.11 mg/kg, and raw lentils were lower by 0.94%. The analysis of the results revealed that the variation in the crops’ phenological phases depended on the moisture availability and the sowing time.

Pearl Millet–Groundnut Cropping Systems for the Sahel

A two-year study of pearl millet–groundnut cropping systems across two fertilizer levels was conducted in Maradi, Niger, in the Sahelian zone of West Africa. The objective of this study was to identify the best cropping system with and without fertilizer application. The experiment was conducted with ten treatment combinations of five pearl millet and groundnut cropping systems (pearl millet and groundnut sole crops, and three pearl millet—groundnut intercrops) and two fertilizer levels. Yields were approximately 300 kg ha−1 higher in the 2022 high rainfall year than in 2021, but the year did not interact with cropping systems or fertilizer application. All the intercropping systems had an LER above 1.0, and land use efficiency increased by 19 to 41%. Fertilizer application increased yields in all cropping systems by 200 to 600 kg ha−1. The government subsidy increased the value-to-cost ratio by 0.5 to 2.5 units and was required for the economic response for pearl millet sole and intercrops in 2022. The groundnut sole cropping system had the greatest economic response to fertilizer application. Based on the risky environment and multiple end uses needed by producers, the intercrop system M-G: 1:3:1 with fertilizer application is the best option to optimize pearl millet and groundnut production.

Increasing diversity gradient in lentil mixtures for intercropping with wheat reveals an increase in lentil biomass with minimal impact on mycorrhizal activity

The management of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is crucial for sustainable agricultural systems, given its beneficial impacts on soil health and crop productivity. This study aimed to assess the effect of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) mixtures for intercropping with durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) on mycorrhiza and investigate the role of legume intraspecific diversity in mycorrhizal development and crop biomass production. Since both intraspecific and interspecific diversity (i.e., cultivar mixtures and intercropping) have an effect in shaping soil microbiota in the rhizosphere, we hypothesised that increasing the level of diversification in the system enhances the provision of services (e.g., aboveground biomass accumulation), due to enhanced microbial activity and diversity. Specifically, increasing diversity within lentil cultivar mixtures strengthens the affinity of wheat for mycorrhiza, thereby influencing wheat mycorrhization in wheat-lentil intercrops. To test our hypothesis, we designed three lentil cultivar mixtures with increasing diversity levels using a trait-based approach, drawing from a pool of Italian lentil landraces characterised in a previous study. As an additional factor, we intercropped lentil mixtures with wheat and compared it with sole wheat and sole lentil commercial cultivar. In both experimental years, intercropping lentil mixtures with wheat consistently yielded higher soil mycorrhization levels (46% in 2021 and 52% in 2022) compared to sole wheat cultivation (23% in 2021 and 34 % in 2022). Nevertheless, AMF colonisation in lentil roots was significantly higher in sole crops (55% in 2021 and 70% in 2022, except for the commercial cultivar) compared to intercrops (35% in 2021 and 60% in 2022). This difference could be attributed to the presence of wheat, which might have suppressed the capacity of lentils to establish successful symbiosis with mycorrhiza. On the other hand, AMF colonisation of wheat roots in 2022 was significantly higher (52%) when intercropped with lentils than when cultivated as sole wheat (40%). Concerning biomass production in lentil mixtures in 2022, we observed a positive correlation between lentil biomass and the number of functional groups in the mixtures, both as pure stands (R2 = 0.19, p = 0.06) and intercrops (R2 = 0.29, p = 0.01). Additionally, in 2022, the total biomass of the intercropped system increased with the increase in diversity. Further experiments, incorporating microbial genetic analysis, are necessary to uncover potential associations between functional mixtures and AMF composition.

Effect of Trap Cropping of Brassica juncea (Linn.) on the Management of Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) on B. oleracea var. capitata (Linn.)

During the rabi of 2022-23, Indian mustard cv. Laha 101 was used as a trap crop to manage the mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) on cabbage cv. K-1. The results showed that trap cropping ratios significantly lowered aphid densities compared to the sole crop (cabbage). The lowest density of aphids (4.60 aphid/plant) was recorded in cabbage under the trap cropping ratio of 3:2. On the other hand, the peak infestation (19.05 aphid/plant) occurred on the mustard of the same trap cropping ratio (3:2) when compared with other trap cropping ratios on 7th SMW (February 11th). Even though the sole crop (cabbage) had the highest aphid density (28.13 aphid/plant), it yielded 49.23 t/ha and had a benefit cost ratio of 2.07 due to two sprays of insecticide (Malathion 50 EC), which was not done in the trap cropping ratios. Thus, the trap cropping ratio of 3:2 (2.31) had the best cost benefit ratio followed by the trap cropping ratio of 1:1 (2.19), which recorded produce of 42.61 t/ha and 41.29 t/ha respectively. Overall, the use of Indian mustard cv. Laha 101 has been shown to be effective as a trap crop in managing mustard aphid on cabbage cv. K-1 during the rabi season. By using the correct trap cropping ratio, farmers can maximize their produce while minimizing the use of insecticides, which can be beneficial both economically and environmentally.

Yield Comparison of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) and Corn (Zea mays L) Under Sole and Multiple Cropping Systems

Yield Comparison of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) and Corn (Zea mays L) Under Sole and Multiple Cropping Systems