Use Of Intercropping Research Articles

Consideration of the Disease Complexes, the Missing Link to Correctly Analyze the Impact of Intercropping on Disease Development

Diversification at the plot level, through the use of intercropping (mixtures of crops), is an alternative to the conventional system of intensive agriculture, based on monospecific, usually single-variety canopies. Intercropping has been shown to provide benefits in terms of disease control. However, competition phenomena and the heterogeneity of the associated crops raise new ecological questions, particularly with regard to the dynamics and evolution of parasite populations. No study has assessed the potential impact of these associations on the dynamics of pathogenic species complexes. Changes in the nutritional status of plants and therefore in their physiological susceptibility to infection within intercropping systems could contribute to an increased diversity of ecological niches and thus affect the composition of the parasitic complex and its spatiotemporal dynamics. In this review, focusing on foliar diseases of fungal origin, and after outlining some elements of the biology and epidemiology of these fungal diseases, we will (i) describe the mechanisms that contribute to the composition of disease clusters and that drive interactions, but we will also review the strategies that these foliar diseases have adopted to deal with these co-infections; (ii) define how intercropping can lead to changes in epidemic dynamics, in particular by presenting the mechanisms that have a direct and indirect effect on disease evolution; and (iii) present the approach that should be adopted to properly study intercropping correctly in a multi-infection situation.

Irrigation Schedule Optimization for Wheat and Sunflower Intercropping under Water Supply Restrictions in Inner Mongolia, China

Precise water management is essential for the efficient development of irrigated agricultural crops in the Hetao Irrigation Area of Inner Mongolia. Given the severe water scarcity in the region and the significant use of intercropping as a cropping method, the development of rational irrigation scheduling is crucial. The objective of this work was to combine the ISAREG model with wheat–sunflower intercropping crops in order to enhance the effectiveness of irrigation scheduling in intercropping systems. This was achieved by changing and verifying crucial parameters for simulating irrigation patterns in intercropping. We conducted an assessment of nine irrigation schedules for a wheat–sunflower intercropping system in order to provide a range of irrigation scenarios that effectively fulfill the water requirements of the system. In light of this, we suggested implementing restrictions on the dates and volumes of irrigation based on the demand for agricultural irrigation. This approach aimed to establish irrigation schedules that are highly efficient and tailored to the specific crops in the area. As a result, we achieved a water use efficiency rate of 100%, saved 28.78% of water resources, optimized crop irrigation schedules, and enhanced crop economics by 6.7%. This study presents a novel and efficient method to optimize agricultural irrigation schedules, boost agricultural water use efficiency, and maximize crop yields in order to promote sustainable agricultural development.

Integrated crop‐livestock versus conventional systems: Effects on the chemical and physical characteristics of an Oxisol

AbstractStudies have reported improvements in soil quality in integrated crop‐livestock systems (ICLS) when compared to conventional systems. The hypothesis of this study was that ICLS improve Oxisol quality due to the use of intercropping, adding pasture and cattle to the systems. The aim of the study was to evaluate the chemical and physical characteristics of an Oxisol and pasture production in the integrated system versus conventional system. We compared two conventional systems: crop system (maize grain production) and livestock system (beef cattle on single pasture) and, four ICLS: maize plus Marandu palisade grass sown simultaneously without herbicide (ICLS‐1); maize plus Marandu palisade grass sown simultaneously with herbicide (ICLS‐2); maize plus Marandu palisade grass in lagged sowing (ICLS‐3); and maize plus Marandu palisade grass sown simultaneously in maize rows and inter‐rows with herbicide (ICLS‐4). A randomized block design with six treatments and three replicates was used. The results suggest improvements in soil quality, including soil organic carbon (ICLS‐4), total nitrogen, and nitrogen stocks (ICLS‐1, ICLS‐2, and ICLS‐4). The intercropping technique influenced pasture production and soil quality during the implementation of integrated systems. The lowest soil strength was obtained for the crop system compared to systems with grazing animals but there were no changes in the soil physical characteristics that could compromise the production system.

The Influence of Sugar Beet Cultivation Technologies on the Intensity and Species Biodiversity of Weeds

Sugar beet production is highly affected by weeds. The structure of crop rotation, the use of intercrops and different tillage techniques bring several benefits to sugar beet cultivation and create different living conditions for weeds. The response of weed communities in sugar beet stands has not been studied. The experimental plot is in the cadastral area of Ivanovice na Hané (Czech Republic). During an eight-year monitoring period (2013–2020), 46 weed species were identified. The dominant species was Chenopodium album. There were also summer and winter weeds. A more varied crop rotation increased the intensity of weed infestation, with winter weeds being the most common. On the contrary, a higher proportion of cereals in the crop structure favors the presence of summer weeds. The tillage technology and the inclusion of catch crops did not significantly affect the intensity of weed infestation in sugar beet stands or the spectrum of weed species. Current cropping technologies have driven the evolution of weeds. Due to their short life cycles and relatively simple genomes, weeds can respond very quickly to technological measures and, thus, change their harmfulness.

Use of intercropping and mulch to improve the water and natural resources use efficiencies of forage cactus and millet production in a semiarid region

1. CONTEXT - Improving the use of natural resources (e.g., water, nutrients, and radiation) within production systems under different technologies (mulch and intercropping) is fundamental to intensifying sustainable agriculture. 2. OBJECTIVE - The objective was to quantify the parameters of water consumption and the efficiency of using natural resources of forage cactus and millet under different technologies of crops in a semiarid environment. 3. METHODS - The forage cactus (clone Orelha de Elefante Mexicana) and millet (cv. IPA Bulk-1-BF) were evaluated to six cropping arrangements: single cactus with mulch (CWM), single cactus with no mulch (CNM), single millet with mulch (MWM), single millet with no mulch (MNM), a cactus-millet intercropping system with mulch (CMWM), and cactus-millet intercropping system with no mulch (CMNM). Data on crop growth, crop production, and soil moisture were collected, and the following were determined: crop evapotranspiration (ETc), crop transpiration (T), soil water evaporation (E), single crop coefficient (Kc), dual crop coefficient (Kcb and Ke), water use efficiency (WUE), nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and radiation use efficiency (RUE). Biological efficiency and competitive ability indicators were calculated for the intercropped systems. 4. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS - The ETc (mm day −1) was higher under MWM (4.69), MNM (3.60), and CMWM (3.81). There was little variation in the values of ETc, T, or E between CNM and CWM, unlike between MNM and MWM. Intercropping reduced E compared to the single crops of cactus (8%) and millet (58%). On average, Kc was higher under MWM (0.98), CWM (0.69), and CMWM, (0.88), compared to MNM (0.75), CNM (0.63), and CMNM (0.48). The intercrops were more efficient for WUE (44%) and RUE (2.28 g MJ −1), with no difference for NUE. It can be concluded that the cactus-millet intercropping system is a good alternative for more-resilient agriculture in semi-arid environments, especially when the use of mulch. 5. SIGNIFICANCE - The results of this study are significant for the management of water resources in the semi-arid region, as they favour knowledge of the water needs of these crops in different production systems, and how the adoption of technologies such as intercropping and mulching can improve efficiency in the use of available natural resources, compared to exclusive planting.

Total Carbon and Nitrogen and Granulometric Fractions of Soil Organic Matter Under No-Till System and Conventional Tillage with Onion Cultivation

Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents and the granulometric fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) under different management systems with single and intercropped winter cover crops in the cultivation of onion in Ituporanga, SC. Theoretical framework: Onion cultivation typically occurs in a conventional tillage system (CTC), which favors the loss of C and N from the soil due to soil mobilization. The vegetable no-tillage system (VNTS) uses sustainable practices with continuous soil cover and restricted soil tillage, promoting improvement of edaphic attributes. Methodology: The experiment was implemented in 2009 and the collection of soil samples took place in 2019 in the layers of 0-5, 5-10 and 10-30 cm in the treatments under VNTS, being black oat (AV); rye (CE); oilseed radish (NB); rye + radish (CE+NB); black oat + oilseed radish (AV+NB) and spontaneous vegetation (VE). In addition to these treatments, two adjacent areas were used, one under CTS and the other in a secondary forest area (MATA). The content of total organic C (TOC), total N (NT), light organic matter in water (LOM), particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate nitrogen (PN), C associated with minerals (COam) and N associated with to minerals (NAM). Results and conclusions: VNTS increased TOC and NT contents with the use of grass and cruciferous intercropping to the detriment of single crops and CTS. The LOM content was higher in VNTS with the use of single grasses and stood out in relation to VNTS with consortium. There were no differences for PN between MATA, CE and CE+NB, demonstrating that VNTS is efficient in raising these levels in substitution of CTS. The CE+NB consortium increased the levels of COam and NAM in the surface layer of the soil after replacing CTS with VNTS. Research implications: In VNTS, the use of intercropping between cover crops is an efficient management in adding C and N to the soil, as the simultaneous cultivation of different species of cover crops produces straw with an intermediate C/N ratio, the roots exploit different soil extracts and nutrient cycling is more efficient. Originality/Value: The results of this study are from a long-term experiment (10 years), which demonstrates the effectiveness of VNTS in recovering and increasing C and N levels in soil previously cultivated for a long period in the CTS, in addition to to match the forest area.

Intercropping Sedum alfredii Hance and Cicer arietinum L. does not present a suitable land use pattern for multi-metal-polluted soil.

Intercropping of specific accumulators with industrial crops is used in moderately metal contaminated agricultural land. The distribution characteristics and environmental risks of non-accumulated ions in intercropping fields have rarely been reported. This study analyzed dissolved organic matter (DOM) fractionation and metal chemical forms to investigate the bioavailability, transformation, and uptake of non-hyperaccumulated metals in different cultivation patterns of a Cd hyperaccumulator (Sedum alfredii Hance) and a commercial crop (Cicer arietinum L.). The study focused on the distribution and transformation of heavy metals, with a particular emphasis on the role of DOM in intercropping. The contents of DOM in the rhizosphere soils of the Cd hyperaccumulator monoculture and the intercropping field were obviously greater than the DOM concentration in the commercial crop monoculture. The content of soluble Cd was significantly lower in the former two planting patterns than in the latter. In contrast, soluble Pb and Cu exhibited opposite content characteristics. In addition, the metal extraction ability of DOM extracted from the C. arietinum monoculture was lower than those from the Cd hyperaccumulator monoculture and the intercropping field. The concentrations of Cd in both below-ground and aerial parts of C. arietinum intercropping were significantly lower than those in its monoculture, since S. alfredii depleted soil Cd. Contrastingly, the contents of Cu and Pb in C. arietinum harvested from intercropping were significantly greater than those in its monoculture because the intercropped Cd hyperaccumulator activated Cu and Pb by changing soil DOM content and fractionations without absorbing them. The findings provide valuable insights into the use of intercropping to remediate moderately metal-contaminated agricultural land and highlight the potential risks associated with intercropping in multi-metal-contaminated fields.

Arthropod Pest Management in Strawberry

Simple SummaryStrawberry is a commercially important crop which is produced and consumed globally. As there is an increase in economic significance of strawberry production, growers across the globe face challenges in protecting the crop against insect and mite pests. The damage from insect pests results in significant yield loss which adversely affects the strawberry industry. To overcome this situation, management of pests is warranted with reduced impact on the environment and beneficial organisms. Even though insecticide-driven management practices predominate in the strawberry production system, the use of non-chemical alternatives is also gaining importance. The current review is aimed at discussing the important pests of strawberry and various integrated pest management practices adopted worldwide to reduce the damage impact and improve production.The strawberry crop endures economic losses due to feeding injury from a number of phytophagous arthropod pests. A number of invasive pests have posed challenges to crop protection techniques in the strawberry cropping system recently. It is increasingly evident that sole reliance on chemical control options is not sustainable. In this review, current challenges and advances in integrated pest management of various strawberry pests are presented. Key pests discussed include thrips, mites, lygus bug, spotted wing drosophila, seed bug, weevils, aphids, whiteflies, and armyworms. Several integrated pest management techniques that include use of intercropping, resistant cultivars, irradiation with gamma rays, use of spectral sensitivity of pests, biological control agents and natural enemies, and biorational pesticides have recently been reported to be useful in managing the various strawberry pests. With the increase in world production of strawberry, several techniques will be necessary to manage the pest complex of strawberry.

Halophyte based Mediterranean agriculture in the contexts of food insecurity and global climate change

The loss of agro-biodiversity, climate changes and food insecurity are major challenges in the Mediterranean countries with potentially multidimensional consequences. With respect to salinity, approximately 18 million ha, corresponding to 25 % of total irrigated land in the Mediterranean area, are salt affected. Intensive cropping and the excessive use of expensive inputs such as water and fertilizers aggravate this situation. Understanding how we could improve crop productivity in salinized environments is therefore critical to face these challenges. Our comprehension of fundamental physiological mechanisms in plant salt stress adaptation has greatly advanced over the last decades. However, many of these mechanisms have been linked to salt tolerance in simplified experimental systems whereas they have been rarely functionally proven in real agricultural contexts. The sustainability of farming systems in salt affected Mediterranean soils can be effectively achieved by the use of salt-tolerant halophyte plants even more effective through the use of intercropping, crop rotation and aquaponics.. Moreover, if these halophyte plants are removed from the soil to grow other species, pressure on generating salt-tolerant crop plants would be reduced and much healthier crop plants would be cultivated in less stressed saline soils. This paper will focus on the sustainable practices based on the cultivation of halophytes in saline soils by highlighting some experimental activities carried out at laboratory and field levels in the last few years.

Small-scale traditional maize farming fosters greater arthropod diversity value than conventional maize farming

Globally insects are in decline, with the transformation of natural areas for agriculture one of the most important drivers of this decline. Yet, insects play an important role in regulating ecosystem services such as pollination, soil fertility and pest suppression, so their conservation within agricultural areas is critical. We examined comparative impacts of traditional small-scale low input farming versus large-scale conventional farming systems, and mono-cropped versus inter-cropped systems in Kenyan maize fields on predator, ant and herbivore arthropod species richness and composition. We also considered the value of hedgerows and percentage of surrounding maize cover for arthropod conservation. As expected, traditional farming retained higher herbivore species richness, evenness and abundance, as well as higher predator abundance compared to conventional farming. Percentage maize cover was positively correlated to ant species richness, predator and herbivore abundance, as well as determining species assemblage composition for ants and herbivores. Hedgerow volume and the comparison of mono- vs inter-cropping were important predictors for predator evenness. These results suggest that the low input farming systems retain far higher arthropod numbers, although this does not seem to be due to the use of intercropping on the farms. Rather it seems that hedgerows play an important role in maintaining arthropods. While higher maize coverage surrounding the farm increases the species and abundance of arthropods in the fields, this is most likely due to the high biotope fidelity of arthropods that specialize in open cropping systems such as maize fields.Implications for insect conservationThe results here are encouraging as the retention of culturally important farming techniques (i.e., the traditional Kenyan farmers) and small improvements, such as the retention of hedgerows, greatly promotes biodiversity in the farmlands.

Rising labour costs and the future of rubber intercropping in China

ABSTRACT This study identifies the role of labour constraints in the use of rubber intercropping among smallholder farmers in Southwest China, drawing on a panel dataset collected from a sample of over 600 farm households in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (XSBN). The analysis is based on two models: (i) a panel model to analyze the factors responsible for the decline in the use of rubber intercropping among smallholder farmers; (ii) an instrumental variable and endogenous switching model to assess the specific effects of off-farm labour market participation on the use of intercropping. We find a strong effect of the costs of labour on rubber intercropping. The decline in the use of intercropping has a potentially negative impact on environmental sustainability and endangers the government’s environmentally friendly rubber programme. The paper explores possibilities of how farmers can maintain intercropping under increasing labour constraints such as more engagement of elderly and female household members. This may require modifications in intercropping technologies and training. The paper recommends that the government should encourage the continuation of intercropping by a combination of well-balanced measures that include on-farm research, participatory farmer training, payment for environmental services, and effective monitoring.

Farmers’ Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Attributes of Integrated Pest Management Methods Against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Benin

Abstract In response to the invasion of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in Africa, farmers rely mainly on synthetic pesticides which are harmful to human health and environment. This study investigated farmers’ preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for attributes of integrated pest management (IPM) methods against S. frugiperda. A survey was conducted among 400 randomly selected maize farmers in eight districts of Benin using a questionnaire. Results showed that the majority of farmers (66.5%) who were interested in the IPM approach preferred a combined use of intercropping and ecological control products in managing S. frugiperda. Farmers who were more likely to pay for IPM strategies against S. frugiperda had less access to extension services, very small farms, and relatively low income. They represented 38.82% of the sample and were willing to pay additional protection costs of 4.53 US$/ha for the combination of several management methods, 86.09 US$/ha for the reduction of human health risks, 22.20 US$/ha for the preservation of environment, and 4.90 US$/ha for a reduction in yield losses. The policy implications of these findings for the extension of IPM technologies were discussed.

Farm size and smallholders’ use of intercropping in Northwest China

Intercropping, i.e. the cultivation of crop species mixtures, can potentially reduce pressure on land resources by generating higher yields through exploitation of complementarities between crop species. Although intercropping is practiced on a non-negligible proportion of China’s arable land, little is known about the factors that influence farmers’ decisions to use intercropping. In this study we develop a theoretical framework that distinguishes exogenous factors from endogenous factors in farmers’ activity choices in general and the use of intercropping in particular. We apply this framework in an empirical analysis of socio-economic factors affecting the use of traditional and novel relay intercropping systems, with a special focus on the impact of farm size, using primary data collected among 299 farmers in Gaotai County, northwest China. We find that large farms do no not plant more land with the traditional wheat/maize intercrop as compared to small farms, while land planted with the two novel intercrops is significantly larger on large farms. Availability of machinery has no negative effect on the area under intercropping, and has a significant positive effect on the use of one novel intercrop type. Our results confirm that risk considerations do not play a role in relay intercropping use decisions of Chinese farmers. We conclude that positive yield and natural resource effects of intercropping can still be realized if the ongoing farm scale enlargement policy is combined with a policy promoting novel intercropping types, particularly those types that can make use of already available machinery.

Impact of crop stand, Rhizobium inoculation, and foliar fertilization on pea root parameters

Summary Ecological intensification of crop production involves the use of intercrops and the rational use of inoculation and fertilization in case of intercrops including legume species. The root system plays an important role in the productivity of crops. Therefore, effects of the inoculation treatments (Nitragina) or foliar fertilization (Photrel) or a combination of both were assessed on root parameters of pea grown as pure stand or intercrops with linseed or wheat in a 3-year experiment in Poland. Crop stand composition influenced the root parameters of pea with a higher root length density (RLD) in the root fractions of 0.1–1 mm of pea in pea/linseed intercrops than in the pure stand, a higher mean root diameter (MRD) in pure pea and intercrops of pea with linseed than with wheat, and also a tendency of a higher root dry matter (RDM) in pure pea and pea/linseed than in pea/wheat in 2 out of the 3 years. RLD was higher with Photrel than with Nitragina in root fractions of 0.1–0.5 mm. Treatments did not affect the MRD, but a combination of Nitragina + Photrel increased the RDM in 1 year. Intercropping of pea with linseed and the application of a foliar fertilizer might be a strategy to improve pea root characteristics.

Dynamic process-based modelling of crop growth and competitive water extraction in relay strip intercropping: Model development and application to wheat-maize intercropping

Strip intercropping increases land use efficiency but the effect on water use efficiency is less well-known. Here we develop a modelling method to simulate the growth of an intercrop taking into account the acquisition of light and water by the component species in order to calculate the efficacy of light and water acquisition in an intercropping system as compared to sole crops. The model is parameterized, calibrated and validated using data on wheat-maize intercropping in Gansu province, Northwest China. Observed above-ground biomass was 1630 g m−2 for sole wheat and 1334 g m−2 for intercropped wheat while it was 3023 g m−2 for sole maize and 2259 g m−2 for intercropped maize. The average water use was 405 mm in sole wheat, 595 mm in sole maize and 711 mm in wheat-maize intercropping. Based on observed yields, the land equivalent ratio (LER) was 1.59 and the water equivalent ratio (WER) was 1.14, where LER and WER express the relative amounts of land and water needed to achieve the yields obtained in a unit area of intercrop using sole crops. These results indicate that relay strip intercropping of wheat and maize achieves an increase of land use efficiency of 59% and of water use efficiency of 14%. Overall the intercrop model gave satisfactory predictions, with coefficients of efficiency (CE) in validation of 0.86–0.97, 0.90–0.95, 0.85–0.91 and 0.98 for biomass of sole wheat, sole maize, intercropped wheat, and intercropped maize, respectively. Overall CE of water use was 0.95. Simulated LER and WER were similar to observed LER and WER. The results show that intercropping could be used to obtain more yield on less land with less water. Policies that limit water use per unit land and prohibit the use of intercropping on the basis of its high water use per unit area may therefore be counter-productive. The model for intercrop growth and development under water limitation may be used for exploring production possibilities under land and water constraints.

SOIL ATTRIBUTES AND INITIAL CORN DEVELOPMENT AS A FUNCTION OF FERTILIZATION AND INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT Fertilization systems that allow higher sowing speeds have been used in areas of grain production, as well as the use of intercropping to improve soil physical quality and provide better soil cover. This study aimed to evaluate soil attributes and the initial corn development and intercropping (corn + velvet bean, corn + pigeonpea, and corn + bonavist bean) as a function of fertilization systems (pre-sowing and sowing). The experiment was conducted in an Oxisol in a randomized block design in the 2 × 3 factorial scheme, with four replications. The number of days for emergence, plant stand, intercropping dry matter, soil straw cover, soil straw permanence index, penetration resistance, soil moisture, soil density, degree of compaction, and total soil porosity were measured. The percentage of soil straw cover was affected by fertilization system, mainly by pre-sowing fertilization. Soil physical attributes were not affected by fertilization and intercropping systems, except total porosity, in the 0–0.10 m layer, which has a combined effect of factors. The initial corn development was not affected by fertilization and intercropping systems. Velvet bean presented the highest number of days for the emergence and lower dry matter.

The Use of Different Cropping Systems for Pepper (Capsicum Annum) Seed Production in Tropical Rain Forest Soils of Nigeria

A cropping system that involved the use of intercropping and planting patterns was used to test the profitability of producing pepper seeds. The triple replicated randomized complete block design experiment was carried out during the wet and dry seasons of 2018 at the Teaching and Research Soils of the Rivers State University Port Harcourt. The planting patterns were: Sole pepper (control), strip rows, double alternate rows and scattered pattern while maize and okra were used as inter crops. During the wet and dry seasons, the control (sole pattern) outperformed the other patterns in fresh pepper fruit yield (6000kg/ha, 5503kg/ha) but not in fruit number and fruit seed yield which were not significantly different from that of strip rows. Also, the strip rows fresh maize cobs yield (9573.3kg/ha, 6133.33kg/ha) and okro pods yield (2453kg/ha, 2470.67kg/ha) in wet and dry seasons respectively were high. With Land equivalent ratio of 2.3 and 1.62 in both seasons, the strip row pattern proved to be more stable, sustainable and profitable. This cropping system (pepper, maize and okra inter crop on strip row pattern) is therefore very profitable since it allows poor resource farmers to harvest different crop produce (maize cobs and okro pods) for use and sale until the maturation, processing and sale/use of the pepper seeds.

Rainfall and land management effects on erosion and soil properties in traditional Brazilian tobacco plantations

ABSTRACTNo-tillage and inter-crops have been progressively introduced into traditional Brazilian tobacco plantations. However, there is a lack of information about their impact on soil erosion rates and soil properties. We studied 10 experimental plots in Paraná (Brazil) that rotated from no-tillage tobacco to two different inter-crop types (black beans and oats) and conventionally tilled tobacco to quantify erosion rates from September 2014 to February 2016. The results show that soil loss (18 Mg ha−1) and runoff coefficient (8.3%) were higher under conventional tillage tobacco than under no-tillage tobacco (3.4 Mg ha−1 and 0.6%). Bulk density was higher at the end of the cropping cycle than at the beginning. We concluded that conventional crops increased soil erosion, and the use of inter-crops and no-tillage is highly recommended for soil and water conservation. The findings should be valid for other regions that have similar cropping systems and environmental conditions.

Risk Adjusted Production Efficiency of Maize Farmers in Ethiopia: Implication for Improved Maize Varieties Adoption

This study analyzes the technical efficiency and production risk of 862 maize farmers in major maize producing regions of Ethiopia. It employs the stochastic frontier approach (SFA) to estimate the level of technical efficiencies of stallholder farmers. The stochastic frontier approach (SFA) uses flexible risk properties to account for production risk. Thus, maize production variability is assessed from two perspectives, the production risk and the technical efficiency. The study also attempts to determine the socio-economic and farm characteristics that influence technical efficiency of maize production in the study area. The findings of the study showed the existence of both production risk and technical inefficiency in maize production process. Input variables (amounts per hectare) such as fertilizer and labor positively influence maize output. The findings also show that farms in the study area exhibit decreasing returns to scale. Fertilizer and ox plough days reduce output risk while labor and improved seed increase output risk. The mean technical efficiency for maize farms is 48 percent. This study concludes that production risk and technical inefficiency prevents the maize farmers from realizing their frontier output. The best factors that improve the efficiency of the maize farmers in the study area include: frequency of extension contact, access to credit and use of intercropping. It was also realized that altitude and terracing in maize farms had influence on farmer efficiency.

Effect of Maize/Haricot Bean Intercropping on Soil Fertility Improvement under Different Tied Ridges and Planting Methods, Southeast Ethiopia

Mono cropping is the dominant factor influencing plant nutrient uptake and loss of soil quality in Ethiopia whereas intercropping of cereal/legume has positive environmental qualities. Likewise drought and moisture stress condition is widely expanding from all direction to the center of the country. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate influence of planting methods, tied ridge and cropping system on different soil chemical properties in case of Madda Walabu district, Southeast Ethiopia. It was undertaken at Bidire from March 2016 to January, 2017. In this experiment, one maize variety (Melkassa 2) and one haricot bean variety (Nasir) were used. Treatments include open end and closed end tied ridge; sole cropping and intercropping; and in furrow, on ridge and flat bed planting. Each treatment has been triplicate and the experiment plots were laid out in randomized complete block design. Intercropping of maize-haricot bean with tied ridge and planting methods were highly influenced soil pH, exchangeable potassium, available phosphorous, soil organic matter and total soil nitrogen. Generally, the use of intercropping and closed end tied ridge in combination with in furrow planting significantly increased (p0.05) soil fertility in the system, which could be promising for sustainable improvement of crop production and productivity for semi arid areas of Bale zone.