Soybean Intercropping Research Articles

MAIZE–SOYBEAN INTERCROPPING FOR SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION OF CEREAL–LEGUME CROPPING SYSTEMS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

SUMMARYField studies were conducted during the 2014 and 2015 wet seasons at Zaria in the northern Guinea savanna and at Iburu in the southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria to determine the productivity of maize–soybean intercropping system. There were four treatment combinations in the experiment: sole maize; sole soybean; maize spaced at 50 cm and intercropped with soybean; and maize spaced at 65 cm and intercropped with soybean. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that sole cropped maize and soybean generally outperformed the intercropped component crops. Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was greater than 1 for all the intercrop treatments, indicating that it is advantageous to grow maize and soybean in association than in pure stands. Except for 2014 in Zaria, LER for intercropped maize spaced at 50 cm was higher than that for maize spaced at 65 cm. Gross Monetary Value (GMV) was generally higher for intercrops than sole crops except in Iburu in 2015 where GMV for intercropped maize spaced at 65 cm was similar to those of sole maize and soybean. Monetary Advantage Index (MAI) was positive for all intercrop treatments in both locations and years, which shows definite yield and economic advantages compared to the sole cropping systems. This suggests that farmers can intercrop soybean and maize with maize spaced at 50 cm and 65 cm.

Soil mineral nitrogen and yield-scaled soil N2O emissions lowered by reducing nitrogen application and intercropping with soybean for sweet maize production in southern China

The increasing demand for fresh sweet maize (Zea mays L. saccharata) in southern China has prioritized the need to find solutions to the environmental pollution caused by its continuous production and high inputs of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. A promising method for improving crop production and environmental conditions is to intercrop sweet maize with legumes. Here, a three-year field experiment was conducted to assess the influence of four different cropping systems (sole sweet maize (SS), sole soybean (SB), two rows sweet maize-three rows soybean (S2B3) intercropping, and two rows sweet maize-four rows soybean (S2B4) intercropping), together with two rates of N fertilizer application (300 and 360 kg N ha−1) on grain yield, residual soil mineral N, and soil N2O emissions in southern China. Results showed that in most case, intercropping achieved yield advantages (total land equivalent ratio (TLER=0.87–1.25) was above one). Moreover, intercropping resulted in 39.8% less soil mineral N than SS at the time of crop harvest, averaged over six seasons (spring and autumn in each of the three years of the field experiment). Generally, intercropping and reduced-N application (300 kg N ha−1) produced lower cumulative soil N2O and yield-scaled soil N2O emissions than SS and conventional-N application (360 kg N ha−1), respectively. S2B4 intercropping with reduced-N rate (300 kg N ha−1) showed the lowest cumulative soil N2O (mean value=0.61 kg ha−1) and yield-scaled soil N2O (mean value=0.04 kg t−1) emissions. Overall, intercropping with reduced-N rate maintained sweet maize production, while also reducing environmental impacts. The system of S2B4 intercropping with reduced-N rate may be the most sustainable and environmentally friendly cropping system.

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Effect of Intercropped Corn and Soybean Silage on Nutritive Values, in vitro Ruminal Fermentation, and Milk Production of Holstein Dairy Cows

This study was conducted to examine the effect of corn (Zea mays L.) - soybean (Glycine max L.) silage prepared by intercropping method on the nutritive value of the silage, in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics, dry matter degradability, as well as milk yield and milk composition of dairy cows. In a couple of experiments intercropped corn-soybean silage (CSBS) was compared with corn silage (CS) and/or Italian ryegrass hay (IRG). Numerically, CSBS had higher crude protein, ether extract, and lactic acid contents compared to CS. In vitro rumen fermentation analysis demonstrated that up to a 24-h incubation period, both CS and CSBS showed higher total gas production, ammonia N concentration, and dry matter degradability compared to IRG (p<0.05). The investigation on animals was conducted in a commercial dairy farm located in Gyeongju, South Korea, employing 42 Holstein cows that were divided into 2 group treatments: CS and CSBS in a completely randomized design. Although no significant difference was observed in milk yield, animals fed on CSBS showed significantly higher milk protein (p<0.05) and milk fat content (p<0.01), compared to animals fed on CS. Taken together, our findings indicate that corn-soybean silage that is cultivated, harvested, and prepared through intercropping can improve the protein content of the silage, and can also enhance in vitro rumen fermentation, dry matter degradability, and performance of dairy cattle.

Photosynthetic Response of Soybean Leaf to Wide Light-Fluctuation in Maize-Soybean Intercropping System.

In maize-soybean intercropping system, soybean plants will be affected by the wide light-fluctuation, which resulted from the shading by maize plants, as the shading of maize the light is not enough for soybean in the early morning and late afternoon, but at noon, the light is strong as the maize shading disappeared. The objective of this study is to evaluate the photosynthetic response of soybean leaf to the wide light-fluctuation. The data of diurnal variation of photosynthetic characters showed that the photosynthetic rate of intercropped soybean was weaker than that of monocropped soybean. The chlorophyll content, ratio of chlorophyll a/b, and AQE (apparent quantum efficiency) were increased and Rd (dark respiration rate) was decreased for the more efficient interception and absorption of light and carbon gain in intercropping. δRo (The efficiency/probability with which an electron from the intersystem electron carriers was transferred to reduce end electron acceptors at the PSI acceptor side) and φRo (the quantum yield for the reduction of the end electron acceptors at the PSI acceptor side) in intercropped soybean leaf were lower compared to those in monocropped one, which showed that the acceptor side of PSI might be inhibited, and also it was the main reason that soybean plants showed a low photosynthetic capacity in intercropping. ψEo (the efficiency/probability with an electron moves further than QA-) in monocropping and intercropping decreased 5.8, and 35.7%, respectively, while φEo (quantum yield for electron transport) decreased 27.7 and 45.3% under the high radiation at noon, which suggested that the acceptor side of PSII was inhibited, while the NPQ became higher. These were beneficial to dissipate excess excitation energy in time, and protect the photosynthetic apparatus against photo-damage. The higher performance index on the absorption basis (PIABS) and lower δRo, φRo, ψEo, and φEo of intercropped soybeans compared to monocropping under high radiation indicated that the electron transfer of intercropped soybean was inhibited more seriously and intercropped soybean adjusted the electron transport between PSII to PSI to adapt the light-fluctuation. Higher NPQ capacity of intercropped soybeans played a key role in keeping the leaf with a better physiological flexibility under the high radiation.

Pengaruh Penggunaan Mulsa Jerami Pada Sistem Tumpang Sari Tanaman Jagung Manis (Zea Mays saccharata Sturt) dan Kacang Kedelai (Glycine max (L) Merill) Terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Produksi

Influence of Straw Mulch on intercropping system Crop Sweet Corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) and Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merrill) on Growth and Production. The aim of research to determine the effect of mulching straw on intercropped plants sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt.) And soybean (Glycine max (L) Merrill) on the growth and production. Research dilakanakan for 4 months starting from May to August of 2010, starting from land preparation to harvest. Location of research carried out in the village of Muara Bengkal ngayau East Kutai. This study was conducted using the Draft Plots Separated (RPT) with analysis of 2 x 5 and each -masing treatment was repeated 4 times. As the main plot (main plot) is a straw mulch consisting of two levels, namely: mo = without straw mulch, m1 = with straw mulch. Meanwhile, as the subplots (sub plot) is the use of intercropping systems (P) consists of 5 levels:: p1 = soybean monoculture, p2 = sweet corn monoculture, p3 = intercropping soybean + maize dibarisan middle, p4 = intercropping 3 lines corn among soybean, p5 = intercropping two rows of corn beside the left and right of the soybean crop. The results showed a significant effect of straw mulching treatment. Treatment cropping system significantly. Combination treatment with straw mulching intercropping system had no significant effect.

Organic Matter, Protein Percentage, Yield, Competition and Economics of Oat-Soybean and Oat-Groundnut Intercropping Systems in Northern China

Abstract Intercropping is one of the most important and sustaibale cropping practice in agro-ecosystems. The study was conducted under field conditions in the arid Horqine sandy land in Baicheng District, Jilin Province, Northern China in 2011. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Treatments comprised different mono cropping and intercropping patterns, TO: sole cropping of oat, TOS-O: oat in the intercropping of oat and soybean, TOG-O: oat in the intercropping of oat and groundnut, TS: sole cropping of soybean, TOS-S: soybean in intercropping of oat and soybean, TG: sole cropping of groundnut, TOG-G: groundnut in the intercropping of oat and groundnut. In intercropping patterns, oat in oat-groundnut had obtained the highest dry matter in all stages. The highest value of protein percentage and organic matter in heading stage, grain filling stage, and grain dough stage was achieved in groundnut in oatgroundnut intercropping. The maximum value of protein percentage and organic matter in booting stage and ripening stage was related to soybean in oat-soybean intercropping. The results of this study clearly indicate that intercropping oat and groundnut affects the growth rate of the individual species in mixtures as well as the dry matter yield and nitrogen accumulation. The highest seed yield was obtained for mono-cropping of soybean, followed by mono-cropping of groundnut and oat. Oat seed yield intercropping of oat and groundnut, and intercropping of oat and soybean were 1208.00 kg/ha, and 832.3 kg/ha, respectively. The highest grain yield was obtained when soybean was grown together with oat, where the higher yield of intercrop is due to the better usage of nutrient, water and light. LER in all intercropping patterns were higher than 1. LER in intercropping of soybean and oat, and intercropping of groundnut and oat were 1.41, and 1.30, respectively. With these LER values, 29.07% and 23.07% of land were, respectively, saved in intercropping of soybean and oat, and intercropping of groundnut and oat, respectively, which could be used for other agricultural purposes. In both intercropping of soybean and oat, and intercropping of groundnut and oat, CI were less than 1, which means that both these two intercropping patterns have positive effects.

Studies on Intercropping Soybean with Sugar cane under Different Nitrogen Levels

T WO experiments were conducted at Mallawy Agric. Res. Station, Minia Governorate, Egypt during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons to study the effect of intercropping soybean with sugar cane under different levels of N fertilizer. A split plot design with four replicates was used for both experiments. Main plots were devoted for N levels i.e.195, 210 and 225kg fad-1 of nitrogen. The intercropping patterns of soybean as 100 % sugarcane+30% soybean in one row, 100% sugarcane + 30% soybean in two rows, 100% sugarcane + 40 % soybean in one row, 100 % sugarcane + 40 % soybean in two rows, pure stand of sugar cane and soybean were distributed in sub-plots.Nitrogen levels had significant effect on most studied characters of soybean. Increasing N levels up to 225kg fad-1 increased all studied traits of yield and yield components of soybean. The highest values of yield and yield components were produced from pure stand compared to intercropping patterns. On the other hand, intercropping pattern of 100% sugar cane+40% soybean in one row gave the highest seed yield. Increasing N level up to 225 kg fad-1 caused significant differences on yield and its components of sugar cane as well as quality parameters and sugar yield fad-1.The highest sugar yield fad-1 was gained from 225kgf ad-1of nitrogen.Intercropping patterns of soybean on sugar cane had a significant effect on studied characters of sugar cane. 100% sugar cane+40% soybean in one row (2 plants hill-1) gave the highest values. In general, pure stand of sugar cane gave the highest values of juice quality and sugar yield fad-1.The value of Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) is greater than one, which indicates the increasing land productivity per unit area. The highest value of LER (1.56) was obtained by intercropping 40 % soybean in one row (2 plants hill-1) on 100% sugar cane with 225kg fad-1. Aggressivity (Agg) values of sugar cane were positive dominant, while those of soybean were negative dominated intercropping 40 % soybean on 100% sugar cane with 225 kg N fad-1. The actual yield loss (AYL) values for sugar cane and soybean were positive at all patterns intercropping. The highest values of total income and profit obtained from 100 % sugar cane + 40 % soybean in one row (2 plants hill-1) with 225kg fad-1 of nitrogen.

Enhancing yield and nutritive value of forage through corn soybean intercropping strategy at seventeen different places in Republic of Korea

Enhancing yield and nutritive value of forage through corn soybean intercropping strategy at seventeen different places in Republic of Korea

Conservation Agriculture Improves Soil Quality, Crop Yield, and Incomes of Smallholder Farmers in North Western Ghana.

Conservation agriculture (CA) practices are being widely promoted in many areas in sub-Saharan Africa to recuperate degraded soils and improve ecosystem services. This study examined the effects of three tillage practices [conventional moldboard plowing (CT), hand hoeing (MT) and no-tillage (NT)], and three cropping systems (continuous maize, soybean–maize annual rotation, and soybean/maize intercropping) on soil quality, crop productivity, and profitability in researcher and farmer managed on-farm trials from 2010 to 2013 in northwestern Ghana. In the researcher managed mother trial, the CA practices of NT, residue retention and crop rotation/intercropping maintained higher soil organic carbon, and total soil N compared to conventional tillage practices after 4 years. Soil bulk density was higher under NT than under CT soils in the researcher managed mother trails or farmers managed baby trials after 4 years. In the researcher managed mother trial, there was no significant difference between tillage systems or cropping systems in maize or soybean yields in the first three seasons. In the fourth season, crop rotation had the greatest impact on maize yields with CT maize following soybean increasing yields by 41 and 49% compared to MT and NT maize, respectively. In the farmers’ managed trials, maize yield ranged from 520 to 2700 kg ha-1 and 300 to 2000 kg ha-1 for CT and NT, respectively, reflecting differences in experience of farmers with NT. Averaged across farmers, CT cropping systems increased maize and soybean yield ranging from 23 to 39% compared with NT cropping systems. Partial budget analysis showed that the cost of producing maize or soybean is 20–29% cheaper with NT systems and gives higher returns to labor compared to CT practice. Benefit-to-cost ratios also show that NT cropping systems are more profitable than CT systems. We conclude that with time, implementation of CA practices involving NT, crop rotation, intercropping of maize and soybean along with crop residue retention presents a win–win scenario due to improved crop yield, increased economic return, and trends of increasing soil fertility. The biggest challenge, however, remains with producing enough biomass and retaining same on the field.

Water use efficiency and evapotranspiration in maize-soybean relay strip intercrop systems as affected by planting geometries.

Optimum planting geometries have been shown to increase crop yields in maize-soybean intercrop systems. However, little is known about whether changes in planting geometry improve the seasonal water use of maize and soybean intercrops. We conducted two different field experiments in 2013 and 2014 to investigate the effects of changes in planting geometry on water use efficiency (WUE) and evapotranspiration (ETc) of maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] relay strip intercrop systems. Our results showed that the leaf area index of maize for both years where intercropping occurred was notably greater compared to sole maize, thus the soil water content (SWC), soil evaporation (E), and throughfall followed a decreasing trend in the following order: central row of maize strip (CRM) < adjacent row between maize and soybean strip (AR) < central row of soybean strip (CRS). When intercropped, the highest grain yield for maize and total yields were recorded for the 40:120 cm and 40:160 cm planting geometries using 160 cm and 200 cm bandwidth, respectively. By contrast, the highest grain yield of intercropped soybean was appeared for the 20:140 cm and 20:180 cm planting geometries. The largest land equivalent ratios were 1.62 for the 40:120 cm planting geometry and 1.79 for the 40:160 cm planting geometry, indicating that both intercropping strategies were advantageous. Changes in planting geometries did not show any significant effect on the ETc of the maize and soybean intercrops. WUEs in the different planting geometries of intercrop systems were lower compared to sole cropping. However, the highest group WUEs of 23.06 and 26.21 kg ha-1 mm-1 for the 40:120 cm and 40:160 cm planting geometries, respectively, were 39% and 23% higher than those for sole cropping. Moreover, the highest water equivalent ratio values of 1.66 and 1.76 also appeared for the 40:120 cm and 40:160 cm planting geometries. We therefore suggest that an optimum planting geometry of 40:160 cm and bandwidth of 200 cm could be a viable planting pattern management method for attaining high group WUE in maize-soybean intercrop systems.

Shade adaptive response and yield analysis of different soybean genotypes in relay intercropping systems

Soybean is one of the major oil seed crops, which is usually intercropped with other crops to increase soybean production area and yield. However, soybean is highly sensitive to shading. It is unclear if soybean morphology responds to shading (i.e., shade tolerance or avoidance) and which features may be suitable as screening materials in relay strip intercropping. Therefore, in this study, various agronomic characteristics of different soybean genotypes were analyzed under relay intercropping conditions. The soybean materials used in this study exhibited genetic diversity, and the coefficient of variations of the agronomic parameters ranged from 13.84 to 72.08% during the shade period and from 6.44 to 52.49% during the maturity period. The ratios of shading to full irradiance in stem mass fraction (SMF) were almost greater than 1, whereas opposite results were found in the leaves. Compared with full irradiance, the average stem length (SL), leaf area ratio (LAR) and specific leaf area (SLA) for the two years (2013 and 2014) increased by 0.78, 0.47 and 0.65 under shady conditions, respectively. However, the stem diameter (SD), total biomass (TB), leaf area (LA), number of nodes (NN) on the main stem, and number of branches (BN) all decreased. During the shady period, the SL and SMF exhibited a significant negative correlation with yield, and the SD exhibited a significant positive correlation with yield. The correlation between the soybean yield and agronomic parameters during the mature period, except for SL, the first pod height (FPH), 100-seed weight (100-SW), and reproductive growth period (RGP), were significant (P<0.01), especially for seed weight per branch (SWB), pods per plant (PP), BN, and vegetative growth period (VGP). These results provide an insight into screening the shade tolerance of soybean varieties and can be useful in targeted breeding programs of relay intercropped soybeans.

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Enhancing Yield and Nutritive Value of Forage for Livestock Feeding Through Corn Soybean Intercropping Strategy with Several Pre-sowing Soybean Seed Coatings

Enhancing Yield and Nutritive Value of Forage for Livestock Feeding Through Corn Soybean Intercropping Strategy with Several Pre-sowing Soybean Seed Coatings

Effect of intercropping sunflower with soybean at different interrow and intra-row spacing on land use efficiency

Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) and soybean ( Glycine max ) were relatively new crops of economic significance in Uganda before 1990s compared to traditional cash crops such as cotton, tea and coffee. By 2000 many smallholder farmers in the Mid-Northern Agro-ecological Zone of Uganda started planting sunflower and soybean as sources of household income. However, sunflower and soybean are planted in same piece of land using different planting patterns that may lead to differences in yields. This study evaluated the effect of inter-row and intra-row spacing on yields of sunflower and soybean intercrop. A 4 x 4 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design was used to determine performance of sunflower and soybean under four inter-row spacings (75, 90, 105 and 120 cm) and four intra-row spacings (30, 40, 50 and 60 cm) and sole sunflower and sole soybean. Under intercrop, a ratio of 1:1 sunflower/soybean was used. Sole sunflower was planted at 90 cm x 30 cm; while sole soybean was planted at 50 cm x 25 cm. Mean yields of sunflower from intercrop were 2517 and 1219 kg ha -1 , compared to 3241 and 1655 kg ha -1 from sole sunflower at Acwec Omio and Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NgeZARDI), respectively. Yield of soybean was 1100 and 2978 kg ha-1 (p<0.01), compared to 3364 and 2590 kgha -1 from sole soybean at Acwec Omio and NgeZARDI, respectively. The highest Land Equivalent Ratios (LER) were 1.29 at inter-row spacing of 90 cm between rows and 1.25 at intrarow spacing of 30 cm within rows. The lowest LER of 0.8 was from 120 cm x 60 cm spacing. An intercrop between sunflower and soybean at a spacing of 90 cm between rows and 30 cm within rows, was the most appropriate, since LER were above 1.2, an indication that land was efficiently utilized. Sunflower can be intercropped with soybean, enabling farmers to raise income by cultivating two crops in same piece of land, above all conserve the fertility of land. Keywords: Households, income, yield, LER, conserve

Effect of Tillage Depth System and Intercropping Patterns on Solid and Intercropped Soybean with Maize.

Two field experiments were carried out in Gemmeiza Research Station during the two summer successive seasons 2013 and 2014 to investigate the effect of three soil tillage depths i.e. 15, 20 and 25 cm and three intercropping patterns i.e. P1-100% maize (single cross 128) + 50% soybean (variety Giza 111) in ridges (0.70 m in width) P2- 100% maize + 50 % soybean in beds (1.40 m in width) and soybean was intercropped with maize at the two rows on bed back, whereas maize was planted at both sides of the bed and P3- Pure stands of maize and soybean were planted as recommended for each crop. The experiment was laid out in a strep plot design in three replicates. Results could be summarized as follows: All characters of maize was significant by affected increasing soil tillage depth from 15 up to 20 cm depth except, plant height in first season. On the other hand, maize grain yield recorded the highest value with tillage depth at 20 cm in both seasons. Maize pure stand recorded the highest values of all studied characters followed by planting in beds and the lowest values were obtained, when maize grown in ridges in both seasons, except, plant height behaved opposite trend of these characters. indicated that plant height in the second season, No. of kernels, ear weight-1, 100-kernel weight in the first season and maize grain yield fad-1 in both seasons were significantly affected by interaction between plowing depth and intercropping patterns. Also, all soybean characters were significantly affected by tillage systems in both seasons, where, tillage depth at 20 cm gave the highest values, followed by at 25 cm While, 15 cm depth gave the lowest values in both seasons. Whereas soybean pure stand recorded the highest values of yield in both seasons, followed intercropping 100% + 50% soybean on the beds in both seasons. The found that 100-seed weight and seed yield fad-1 in both seasons were significantly affected by the interaction between different tillage depth and intercropping patterns. Soil tillage depth at 20 cm and intercropping pattern (100% maize + 50% soybean) on beds recorded the highest values for LER (1.34) and LEC (0.43) in the combined analysis, which showed that intercropping had better grain yield performance when compared to sole cropping. All intercropping patterns were grown in different depths were positive for total income comparative to maize pure stand in combined analysis of both seasons. The highest total income and MAI were achieved with plowing depth at 20 cm in beds (8855.96and 2247.03 L.E. fad-1 ) and the lowest value was showed with plough at 25 cm in ridge (6426.63 and 126.01L.E.fad). Growing maize and soybean with plowing depth at 20 cm increased total income by 10.26 and 10.70%, while MAI increased by 0.88 and 28.80 % compared with plowing depth 15 and 25 respectively. It could be concluded that tillage at 20 cm depth and intercropping pattern (100% + 50%) maize/soybean planted in beds to obtain the best land usage and total income.

KEANEKARAGAMAN SERANGGA PADA TUMPANGSARI TANAMAN PANGAN SEBAGAI TANAMAN SELA DI PERTANAMAN KELAPA SAWIT BELUM MENGHASILKAN

Plant intercropping that interplanted with young palm oil plantation indicated that there was change on ecosystem balance which resulted diversity alteration of insect as bio indicator area. The objective of the research was to obtain information on diversity of insect related to its intercropping system interplanted with young palm oil plantation. The research was conducted from December 2015 to February 2016 at privately-owned oil palm plantation, Kualu district, Kampar regency, Riau province. Descriptive methods by range survey on corn monoculture, soybean monoculture, bera, between corn and soybean intercropping in young palm oil area were used as experimental methods. Insect sampling was conducted by using pitfall trap, sweeping net and hand collection at 16 research units. The result showed that there were ten different insect ordo consisted of 50 families in all intercropping system sampled in this study. Diversity index (H’) reached as high as 3.07 with the best average (E=0.07) that was observed in soybean monoculture. Corn - soybean intercropping posessed the highest point of insect dominance (0.34), which is mean that there was only one kind of insect dominated on the community. The utilization of soybean monoculture system interplanted in young palm oil plantation is best to be used as a reference of ecological indicator on environment utilization, due to the reason that the existence of pest is balanced by the predator.

PAR Interception and Utilization in Different Maize and Soybean Intercropping Patterns.

The crop intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) vary markedly in different intercropping systems. The HHLA (horizontally homogeneous leaf area) and ERCRT (extended row crop radiation transmission) models have been established to calculate the intercepted PAR for intercrops. However, there is still a lack of study on the intercepted PAR and RUE under different intercropping configurations using different models. To evaluate the intercepted PAR and RUE in maize and soybean under different intercropping systems, we tested different strip intercropping configurations (SI1, SI2, and SI3 based on ERCRT model) and a row intercropping configurations (RI based on HHLA model) in comparison to monoculture. Our results showed that the intercepted PAR and RUE of intercropping systems were all higher than those of monoculture. The soybean intercepted PAR in strip intercropping was 1.35 times greater than that in row intercropping. In row intercropping (RI), the lack of soybean intercepted PAR resulted in a significant reduction of soybean dry matter. Therefore, it is not the recommended configuration for soybean. In strip intercropping patterns, with the distance between maize strip increased by 0.2 m, the intercepted PAR of soybean increased by 20%. The SI2 (maize row spacing at 0.4 m and the distance between maize strip at 1.6 m) was the recommended configuration to achieve the highest value of intercepted PAR and RUE among tested strip intercropping configurations. The method of dry matter estimation using intercepted PAR and RUE is useful in simulated experiments. The simulated value was verified in comparison with experimental data, which confirmed the credibility of the simulation model. Moreover, it also provides help in the development of functional-structural plant model (FSPM).

The Influence of Intercropping Sorghum with Legumes for Managementand Control of Striga in Sorghum at Assosa Zone, Benshangul GumuzRegion, Western Ethiopia, East Africa

Sorghum is an important cereal crop and occupies third place in production after Maize and Tef in Ethiopia. Striga hermonthica reduces sorghum yields by competing for water, nutrients, space, light and photosynthates with the host plants. Information on the influence of intercropping sorghum with legumes for management and control of striga in sorghum in the Assosa Zone is scanty. On farm experiments were they are conducted at three locations, for three years, to investigate the effect of eleven treatments (Intercrop ground nut with Sorghum 1:1 and Simultaneous planting, Intercrop ground nut with sorghum 1:1 and Relay planting, Intercrop ground nut with Sorghum 2:1 and Simultaneous planting, Intercrop ground nut with Sorghum 2:1 and Relay planting, Intercrop soybean with sorghum 1:1 and Simultaneous planting, Intercrop soybean with sorghum 1:1 and Relay planting, Intercrop soybean with sorghum 2:1 and Simultaneous planting, Intercrop soybean with sorghum 2:1 and Relay planting, Sole soybean, Sole Sorghum and Sole Ground nut.) and was laid out in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replication. Significant influence on the grain yield of sorghum due to treatment application was recorded. During the all season, the sorghum/legume intercrop had the highest sorghum yield. The sorghum/Ground nut intercrop out yielded than the sorghum/soybean intercrop at all growing season. The gross income and Land equivalent ratio indicates greater economic benefit with this intercropping groundnut in 1:1 proportion and simultaneous planting than sole planting. As a result, intercropping groundnut in 1:1 proportion and simultaneous planting for the control striga is essential, ideal and useful to small-scale farmers, in order to achieve sustainable crop production.

Effects of Different Planting Pattern of Maize (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Zea mays&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) and Soybean (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Glycine max&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (L.) Merrill) Intercropping in Resource Consumption on Fodder Yield, and Silage Quality

An experiment was carried out at the field units of the north campus experimental areas in Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, P. R. China. The experiment was conducted on summer season (June to September) to determine the effects of different planting patterns of maize and soybean intercropping in resource consumption on fodder yield and silage quality. The main treatments were one sole crop of maize (SM) and four maize-soybean intercropping patterns (1 row maize to 1 row soybean (1M1S), 1 row maize to 2 rows soybean (1M2S), 1 rows maize to 3 rows soybean (1M3S) and 2 rows maize to 1 row soybean (2M1S), respectively. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replications, and plot size of 12 m by 5 m. The crops were harvested when the maize reached at milk stage and soybean at R7 stage. The result indicated significant increase in fresh biomass and dry matter production of maize fodder alone as compared to maize intercropped with soybean fodder. It was correlated with a higher consumption of environmental resources, such as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and soil moisture by intercropping. After 45 days of ensiling period, silage samples were analyzed for pH, organic acids (Lactic, acetic, and butyric), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K). It was concluded that in all intercropped silages, crude protein (CP) values were higher (1M1S, 12.1%; 1M2S, 12.2%; 1M3S, 12.4%; 2M1S, 12.1%) than the monocrop maize (SM, 8.7%) silage. Higher organic acids (p < 0.05) were produced in the 1M3S silages as compared to others silages. The study indicated that among all intercropped silages, the 1M3S (1 row maize to 3 rows soybean) was preferable according to nutrient composition than other intercropped silages.