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Row intercropping, where two plant species are cultivated in separate alternate rows (corn with climbing bean)
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Intercropping, the agricultural practice of cultivating two or more crops in the same space at the same time, is an old and commonly used cropping practice which aims to match efficiently crop demands to the available growth resources and labor. The most common advantage of intercropping is the production of greater yield on a given piece of land b...
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... ranging from regular arrangements of the component crops to cases where the different the component crops are intermingled. In mixed intercropping, the plants are totally mixed in the available space without arrangement in distinct rows, whereas in alternate-row intercropping, two or more plant species are cultivated in separate alternate rows (Fig. 1). Another option is that of within-row intercropping, where the component crops are planted simultaneously within the same row in varying seeding ratios (Fig. 2). With strip intercropping, several rows of a plant species are alternated with several rows of another plant species (Fig. 3). Intercropping also uses the practice of sowing a ...
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World population is growing exponentially and it has to fulfill their food requirements. An attractive strategy for increasing productivity and labour utilization per unit area of available land is to intensify land use. Intercropping is advanced agro technique of cultivating two or more crops in the same space at the same time and has been practic...
Citations
... and disease susceptibility of the former. This practice would allow a more efficient use of available resources when growing a mixture of crops with different attributes (Lithourgidis et al., 2011). Intercropping systems should be considered multi-functional and could provide benefits for both grain (Bulson et al., 1997;Devi et al., 2014) and forage (Carr et al., 1998) production. ...
... However, reports on impacts of intercrops, especially under organic management, have been more common from western and eastern Europe than from North America (Corre-Hellou et al., 2011;Dordas et al., 2012;Lithourgidis et al., 2011;Šarūnaitė et al., 2013). These reports are for the most part from different soil and environmental conditions than in the Canadian Prairies, especially those in the semiarid Brown soil zone. ...
Organic crop production relies mostly on legumes for N input. Intercropping of organic legumes with more competitive crops might provide an alternative to the poor weed suppression and disease susceptibility of legumes. It might also be expected that such intercropping could be of benefit to crops grown in the subsequent year through increased N from the preceding intercropped legume, and lower weed growth due to the more competitive companion. The objective of this study, conducted under drier than average conditions in a semiarid region of the Canadian Prairies, was to determine how organic intercrops of legumes with a cereal or oilseed at different ratios would affect soil nutrients the next spring, weed levels, and the productivity and quality of the following durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.) Husn.]. Results from 2018 to 2019 showed that intercropping had a negligible impact on Olsen P and extractable K. Soil NO3‐N (>15‐cm deep) was lowest following the lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)–mustard (Sinapis alba L.) intercrops and mustard monoculture, which was reflected in lower growth of the durum wheat. Conversely, some of the pea (Pisum sativum L.)–oat (Avena sativa L.) intercrops and the oat and all legume monocultures resulted in higher durum wheat biomass and grain yield, with their highest values observed after the checks summerfallow and forage pea manure. Weeds tended to have lower densities after the intercrops than the grain legume monocultures. Nutrient concentration in plant tissue suggested that weeds could be a greater source of soil nutrients than crops.
... Legumes have been one of the few options for organic producers to use in their crop rotations to increase soil N (Lithourgidis et al., 2011). Currently, organic producers in Fusarium root/crown rot (Fusarium spp.) and Aphanomyces root rot (Aphanomyces euteiches) (Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, 2023aGrowers, , 2023bGrowers, , 2023c. ...
... Intercropping has been shown to be of benefit to low N systems (Bedoussac et al., , 2018Finckh et al., 2000;Ofori & Stern, 1987). The use of legumes in intercrops would be expected to improve soil fertility in organically managed fields through nitrogen fixation (Lithourgidis et al., 2011) and would thus allow organic producers not to forego a year of cash cropping compared to a sequence with summer fallow or green manure. Given their weed suppressive ability, intercrops are particularly suitable under reduced tillage in organic farming (Gronle et al., 2015). ...
... The most anticipated advantage of organic intercropping is a higher yield per unit area when using a mixture of crops of different rooting ability, canopy architecture, plant height, and nutrient requirements based on the complementary utilization of growth resources by the component crops (Lithourgidis et al., 2011). Disease reductions have also been observed in intercrops (Boudreau, 2013). ...
Intercropping, the growing of more than one crop at the same time within the same land area, could be a sustainable method of crop production in semiarid regions, which could increase biodiversity, and productivity and quality of crops compared to monocultures. This may be of significance under limited N, such as in organic agriculture, and could be an alternative to green manure. An organic study was conducted in the semiarid Canadian Prairie in drier than average years (2017–2018) to determine if intercropping legumes with non‐legumes could reduce weeds and increase grain yield and quality of crops at different seeding rate ratios. Intercrops examined were lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)–yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.), and field pea (Pisum sativum L.)–oat (Avena sativa L.), at three seeding rate ratios, and their respective monocultures. Weed density was lower in the pea–oat intercrop than the pea monoculture, while weed biomass was lower in the lentil–mustard intercrop than the lentil monoculture. Legumes, when intercropped even at monoculture ratios, had lower aboveground biomass and grain yield than their monocultures, with pea showing higher tolerance than lentil to competition with its companion. Total biomass and grain yield were accounted for mostly by the non‐legumes, which performed better than expected based on their seeding ratios. Mustard grown with lentil appeared to be more competitive than oat grown with pea. Grain weight of oat was higher in all intercrops with pea than in its monoculture, while grain protein of pea was higher when intercropped with oat than in its monoculture.
... 36 This practice can optimize resource use, as different crops may utilize soil nutrients, water, and light in complementary ways. 55,56 In Uttar Pradesh, intercropping systems often involve combinations, such as maize and legumes, which can improve soil nitrogen content and reduce pest populations. [57][58][59][60] Intercropping has been demonstrated to enhance soil fertility and productivity by increasing soil microbial diversity and activity. ...
Soil management is a crucial aspect of sustainable agriculture, and traditional knowledge has played a pivotal role in shaping practices that maintain soil health over time. This study examines the significance of traditional soil management techniques used in Uttar Pradesh, India, and assesses their effectiveness in addressing modern agricultural challenges. The primary objective of this analysis is to investigate how indigenous practices, such as crop rotation, intercropping, organic manure application, and traditional water conservation techniques, contribute to soil fertility and sustainability. By examining these traditional methods, the study aims to assess their potential for integration with contemporary agricultural practices to enhance overall soil health and agricultural productivity. A comprehensive analysis of existing literature was conducted to synthesize findings from various studies on traditional soil management practices in Uttar Pradesh. The analysis highlights the mechanisms by which these practices affect soil properties and fertility and identifies the strengths and limitations associated with their use. The findings reveal that traditional methods offer significant benefits, including enhanced soil structure, improved nutrient availability, and increased moisture retention. However, challenges such as limited adoption of modern technologies and varying regional practices are also noted. The integration of traditional knowledge with modern techniques is evaluated as a means to address these challenges and optimize soil management strategies. This analysis bridges the gap between traditional knowledge and contemporary agricultural practices, providing valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners. The study underscores the importance of integrating traditional soil management practices with modern approaches to foster sustainable agriculture in Uttar Pradesh and similar regions.
... The common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), native to the Middle East, was cultivated as early as 3800 BC in Egypt [3,4]. The common vetch can be used as a main crop and cover crop, or in rotation with cereals, to improve soil health and reduce chemical use [5][6][7]. Lupine is native which is essential for energy production in plant cells [47]. The post-emergence application of MCPB is permitted on faba beans (Vicia faba L.) under the specific authorized rate of 2-4 L·ha −1 [48]. ...
Seed production of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and sweet white lupine (Lupinus albus L.) is risky due to weed infestation as few herbicides are permitted for use in crops. Our aim was to test herbicides in these crops in order to expand the list of available herbicides. Various pre- and post-emergence herbicides were tested for their phytotoxicity and weed-control activity in field cultures of the common vetch (cv. Emma) and sweet white lupine (cv. Nelly). After the application of herbicides, phytotoxicity was monitored visually. Data collection involved the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the plant height, the number of weeds, yield, and its contamination. Additionally, 1000-seed-weight measurements were taken for lupine. Summarizing the phytotoxicity and efficacy results in common vetch, the agents S-metolachlor, flumioxazin, and clomazone can be recommended for further pre-emergence testing, while metazachlor + quinmerac, chlorotoluron, and flumioxazin can be recommended for further post-emergence testing. In sweet white lupine, pre-emergence applications of flumioxazin, pendimethalin, dimethenamid-P, pethoxamid, clomazone, metobromuron, and diflufenican were found to be effective without any significant phytotoxicity. Further post-emergence testing of flumioxazin, chlorotoluron, carfentrazone-ethyl, and diflufenican can also be recommended, as well as the application of halauxifen-methyl and sulfosulfuron at low doses (0.4 L ha⁻¹; 13.0 g ha⁻¹). Additional evaluations of these treatments are recommended, including in different soil and weather conditions.
... Cereal/legume intercropping has been shown to increase production per unit area of land, by making more efficient use of the available resources compared to monocultures (Demie et al., 2022;Yu et al., 2016;Martin-Guay et al., 2018). Intercropping cereals with legumes is considered as a more sustainable form of crop production and can be a suitable alternative Lithourgidis et al., 2011;Martin-Guay et al., 2018, Bedoussac et al., 2015, with several ecological processes occurring at the temporal and spatial scale that contribute to improved resource use in intercropping systems. Benefits include the complementary use of solar radiation (Gou et al., 2017), soil nitrogen (N) Hauggaard-Nielsen et al. (2001); Peoples et al., (2009) ;Jensen, (1996), and water (Mao et al., 2012). ...
... Further, multispecies combinations in forage cover crop systems are gaining popularity in forage production for their anticipated benefits to productivity and soil attributes. Several studies have demonstrated that enhancing the diversity of cover crops can improve the efficient use of environmental resources, improve soil nutrients, eliminate disease and pest incidents, improve weed control, and minimize soil erosion and water runoff, ultimately resulting in higher crop yields (Anil et al. 1998;Tilman et al. 2001;Hartwig and Ammon 2002;Lithourgidis et al. 2011;Bonin and Tracy 2012). It is crucial to select suitable cover crop mixtures for optimal use of the ecological advantages that can be provided in agricultural settings (Wittwer et al. 2017). ...
Perennial forage crops play a crucial role in sustaining agricultural ecosystems, particularly in barren lands where conventional crop cultivation may face challenges due to harsh conditions. These crops offer a sustainable solution for transforming unproductive land into a valuable resource, enhancing both agricultural and livestock production. The potential applications of perennial forage crops are diverse, contributing significantly to various aspects of agriculture production. They play a vital role in improving soil health by boosting nitrogen levels, especially when comprising perennial forage legumes. Additionally, they contribute to enhancing the soil microbiome, suppressing weeds, acting as barriers against soil erosion, and mitigating the presence of toxic compounds in the soil. Perennial forage crops also contribute to climate resilience through carbon sequestration, promote biodiversity management, and have socioeconomic implications. Despite their numerous benefits, the innovative techniques of genome analysis can be leveraged further to develop perennial forages with desirable traits. This approach aims to optimize the conditions of underutilized lands to their maximum potential. This chapter primarily focuses on the role of perennial forage crops in the restoration of barren lands from the perspectives of biodiversity and ecosystem enhancement.
... The reduced benefit-to-cost ratio in the 6:1 ratio can be attributed to increased cultivation expenses and declining market prices. These outcomes are consistent with the research findings (52). ...
A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2020, 2021, and 2022 at the Centre of Excellence in Millets, Athiyandal, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, to investigate the performance of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) based cropping system for rainfed agro- ecosystems in the north-eastern agro climatic zone of Tamil Nadu, India. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with 7 treatments, viz., T1: Sole foxtail millet; T2: Foxtail millet + Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) (4:1); T3: Foxtail millet + Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) (6:1); T4: Foxtail millet + Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) (4:1); T5: Foxtail millet + Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) (6:1); T6: Foxtail millet + Niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass) (4:1); T7: Foxtail millet + Niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass) (6:1). Each treatment was replicated three times . High- quality seeds with a high germination percentage, uniform size and freedom from pests, diseases, and weed seeds were used for the experiment viz., foxtail millet (ATL 1), groundnut (VRI 8), sesame (TMV 7), and niger (JNS 28). The results revealed that the foxtail millet and sesame intercropping system in a 4:1 ratio exhibited the highest foxtail millet equivalent yield (2266 kg/ha) along with notable relative production efficiency (10.5%) and relative economic efficiency (18.1%). This study emphasizes the potential for expanding foxtail millet cultivation by integrating intercropping with oilseed crops, thereby contributing to both the area and production of foxtail millet.
... This may be due to that leguminous crops obtain structural support from cereal crops when they are grown together compared to the individual cultivation of legume crops. [15]. ...
A field study was implemented at Fayda location which is MRA, (40 km from Mosul city),bread wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum L.) of certified class-Jehan variety and lentils crop (Lens culinaris Medik.) commercial class Ninevah local variety were sown on 14/11/2019. Using (Ras alromh) zero tillage seeder with 2 meter working width and 30 cm distance between each tine. The experiment design was RCBD with one Main factor but included three sub-factors,1st the Wheat-Lentils intercropping system. (60%W.+ 40%L.) (72 kg.ha-1.W.+32 kg.ha-1. L.), (40%W.+ 60% L.) (48 kg.ha-1. W. + 48 kg.ha-1. L.), (100% W.=120 kg. ha-1), and(100% L=80 kg.ha-1). The 2nd subfactor tow sowing methods liner sowing (30 cm) and cross sowing (30*30 cm), and the 3rd-factor (+)(-) Pallas-45 herbicide using. All the three subfactors were under control of the main single factor. The results indicated that cross sowing either for the individual sowing or intercropping sowing significantly enhanced the plants growth, yield and its components traits, such as, chlorophyll content index, flag leaf, No. of spikes, biological yield, straw yield gm.m-2, grains yield, and protein percentage. Using Pallas-45 herbicide increased grains yield, and some of yield components traits. Protein% trait increased under both levels of cross sowing compared with single sowing 100% wheat crop. Moreover, the intercropping system using cross sowing enhanced yield and its components for both crops , the percentage of yield increasing was more than 30% of the default yield for single sowing of both crops in the same area..(10 Italic)
... Intercropping refers to cultivating multiple crops on the same plot of land simultaneously within one growing season., often arranged in a specific row pattern (Brintha and Seran, 2009) [64] . This method aims to achieve various ecological benefits, such as promoting species interactions, supporting natural processes, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing farmers' risks from climate variability (Lithourgidis et al., 2011;Kumar et al., 2016) [43] . Typically, the crops in an intercrop system come from distinct species and families, with one serving as the chief food source and the other providing additional benefits like nitrogen fixation, biomass production, soil improvement, or economic advantages. ...
... Intercropping refers to cultivating multiple crops on the same plot of land simultaneously within one growing season., often arranged in a specific row pattern (Brintha and Seran, 2009) [64] . This method aims to achieve various ecological benefits, such as promoting species interactions, supporting natural processes, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing farmers' risks from climate variability (Lithourgidis et al., 2011;Kumar et al., 2016) [43] . Typically, the crops in an intercrop system come from distinct species and families, with one serving as the chief food source and the other providing additional benefits like nitrogen fixation, biomass production, soil improvement, or economic advantages. ...
... This approach aligns with the global shift towards low-input farming to minimize environmental issues caused by excessive agricultural inputs, especially high nitrogen levels. By reducing competition for resources and making efficient use of what's available, intercropping enhances productivity-especially for non-legume crops-improves yield stability under challenging conditions, and fosters beneficial root interactions while requiring fewer nitrogen and phosphorus inputs (Lithourgidis et al., 2011) [43] . ...
... Menurutnya, pertanaman ganda dapat dilakukan dengan cara menanam dua atau lebih tanaman pada satu bidang tanah yang sama dalam periode waktu satu tahun. Sistem pertanaman ganda telah banyak diterapkan terutama di Asia, Amerika Latin, dan Afrika sebagai wilayah pemasok pangan 15-20% di dunia (Lithourgidis et al., 2011). Salah satu pola tanam yang termasuk dalam pertanaman ganda adalah tumpang gilir atau tumpangsari bersisipan (relay intercropping). ...
Praktik budidaya yang intensif pada tumpang gilir antara cabai rawit–jagung perlu dilakukan evaluasi untuk mengetahui keunggulan lahan dan kompetisi di antara dua spesies yang berbeda. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui nilai kompetisi dan keunggulan lahan dari model tanam tumpang gilir cabai rawit–jagung dan aplikasi agens hayati. Penelitian dilakukan di Magelang, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia pada Mei 2019–Januari 2020. Penelitian menggunakan metode penelitian kuantitatif yang disusun dalam Rancangan Acak Kelompok Lengkap dua faktor; faktor pertama yaitu model tanam tumpang gilir (2 baris dan 3 baris cabai rawit) dan faktor kedua yaitu aplikasi agens hayati (dengan dan tanpa aplikasi agens hayati). Monokultur cabai dan jagung tanpa aplikasi agensi hayati merupakan kontrol. Data dianalisis menggunakan Analisis Varians dan Uji Lanjut Duncan's multiple range tests pada α = 5%. Tumpang gilir dinilai berdasarkan Nisbah Kesetaraan Lahan, Nisbah Kesetaraan Lahan berdasarkan Waktu, Agresivitas, Rasio Kompetisi, dan Kehilangan Hasil Aktual. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Model tanam 2 dan 3 baris cabai rawit pada pola tanam tumpang gilir cabai rawit dengan jagung dan pemberian agens hayati menghasilkan nilai Nisbah Kesetaraan Lahan dan Nisbah Kesetaraan Lahan Berdasarkan Waktu > 1. Cabai rawit memilki indeks Agresivitas dan Rasio Kompetisi yang lebih besar daripada jagung, namun memiliki nilai Kehilangan Hasil Aktual yang tinggi jika ditanam pada pola tumpang gilir tidak disertai pemberian agens hayati. Dari metode yang diterapkan pada penelitian ini, maka tumpang gilir cabai rawit dengan jagung model 2 baris dengan pemberian agens hayati direkomendasikan karena layak diterapkan dan menguntungkan untuk diusahakan terutama bagi pertanian skala kecil.
