The growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and soyabeans (Glycine max. (L) Merrill) grown as intercrops : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Plant Science at Massey University

The effect of plant population maize (Zea mays L.) cultivar (Pioneer 3901) and AMT and Matara cultivars of soyabeans (Glucine max (L) Merill) grown together in an intercropping system was studied. In the experiment three rows of maize were sown at populations of 6, 8, 10 plants/m2 and three rows of soyabeans were planted between the rows of maize at either 50 or 75 plants/m2 replacing one of the three rows of maize. Plants were sampled for vegetative analysis during the growth of the crops and at final harvest. Total dry matter, grain yield and the components of yield and leaf area index were determined. Grain yield of maize increased from 794 to 1522 g/m 2 as the population of maize increased. However the yield of the maize was not affected by either the cultivar or the populations of the soyabeans grown among it. Grain yield and the component of yield of the intercropped soyabeans were not affected when population of maize in the mixture was increased. Matara produced higher yields than AMT when grown with maize and this was associated with production of more grain per plant and larger seeds. As the plant population of the soyabeans was increased the grain yield of Matara increased and up to 336.9 g/m2 was obtained, however the yield of AMT was not affected by a similar increase in plant population, possibily Matara had greater temporal difference and was more competative than AMT when grown in the mixture. Three methods were used to evaluate the yield of intercropped plots. These were the seed yield summed for both crops, Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) and a yield ratio based on maize. Although the results obtained depended on the method used all the three methods indicated intercropping could be more advantageous than growing maize and soya­ beans as pure stands. All the three methods indicated that the highest yield was obtained when the highest population of maize was combined with the highest population of soyabeans. Higher yields were obtained when Matara rather than AMT was grown in the intercropped plots

Evaluating soil nitrate dynamics in an intercropping dripped ecosystem using HYDRUS-2D.

The competition mechanisms between crop species for water and nutrients, especially nitrate (NO3-N), in intercropping ecosystems are still poorly understood. Therefore, an experiment involving high (300 kg ha-1 for corn and 250 kg ha-1 for tomato), medium (210 kg ha-1 for corn and 175 kg ha-1 for tomato), and low (150 kg ha-1 for corn and 125 kg ha-1 for tomato) N-fertilizer applications (HF, MF, LF, respectively) was conducted in the corn and tomato intercropping ecosystem during 2014 (a calibration period for modeling) and 2015 (a validation period for modeling). The modified HYDRUS-2D code was used to analyze soil NO3-N concentrations (SNC) in the middle between corn rows (Pc), between corn and tomato rows (Pb), and between tomato rows (Pt), NO3-N exchange in the horizontal direction between different regions, NO3-N leaching from the corn, the bare, and the tomato region, and N uptake by crops. Simulated SNCs were in good agreement with measurements, with RMSE, NSE, and MRE of 0.01-0.06 mg cm-3, 0.75-0.98, and 8.7-19.1%, respectively, during the validation period (2015). Average SNCs in the 0-40 cm soil layer were different between Pc, Pt, and Pb. Intensive NO3-N exchange in the horizontal direction occurred during the second stage (Day After Sowing [DAS] 37-113 in 2014; DAS 29-120 in 2015). NO3-N exchange between the corn and bare regions was lower than between the tomato and bare regions due to smaller concentration gradients. However, in the vertical direction, NO3-N leaching from the corn region in both years was 4.1 and 8.8 times larger, respectively, than from the tomato region under HF since NO3-N mainly moved from the tomato region to the corn region. Our results reveal the competition between corn and tomato for N and provide a rationale for formulating and optimizing different fertilizer regimes for different crops in the intercropping ecosystem

Horticulture agroforestry systems: a modelling framework to combine diversification and association effects

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The nutritive value of lupins in sole cropping systems and mixed intercropping with spring cereals for grain production

In total 572 experimental plots were established at two sites during three years with different grain legume species, such as lupins, field beans and peas as well as mixed intercropping of different legumes or legumes with spring cereals for grain production. From all plots yield as well as quality and energy parameters of grains were analysed and the feed values calculated. Compared to soy bean meal yellow lupins have higher protein content but a low yield. While the energy content of lupins as feed for pigs, cattle and milking cows was only slightly higher than of soy bean meal, its feed energy for poultry was nearly comparable. In the case of mixed intercropping with spring cereals the feed energy content for pigs and cattle by using spring wheat or- barley as partner was higher than a comparable mixture of wheat and soy bean meal. The lowest feed energy contents were achieved with mixtures of legumes and oats. From the view of animal nutrition the parts of lupins in the mixed intercropping grains should be higher in the relation to spring cereals to increase especially the protein content

Intercropping Sunflower with Soyabeans Enhances Total Crop Productivity

There is a need to develop sustainable and productive cropping systems for edible vegetable oilseeds in tropical Africa. Field trials were conducted during the late cropping season (July–Nov.) of 2001 and 2002 to determine the grain yields, and other yield attributes of sunflower and soyabeans and their productivity under monocropping and intercropping. Three sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) varieties (a local adapted var. Funtua and two exotic varieties Isaanka and Record from Argentina) and five improved, high yielding soyabean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) varieties: TGx 1448-2E (late), TGx 1440-1E (late), TGx 1019-2EB (medium), TGx 1740-2F (early) and TGx 1485-1D (early maturing) were used. Funtua had significantly greater head weight and diameter, achene number and weight per head than Isaanka and Record during the dry and relatively hot cropping season of 2001. Cropping system significantly reduced soyabean grain yield in intercropping, relative to monocropping, except when soyabean was intercropped with Isaanka in 2001 and Record in 2002. All yield attributes of both crops exhibited significant positive relationship with grain yields, except height to the lowest pod of soyabean. TGx 1448-2E and TGx 1440-1E intercropped with Isaanka and Record had average grain yield of 1043 and 1081 kg ha–1 and land equivalent ratios (LER) of 1.47 and 1.58, respectively. It is recommended that intercropped combination of TGx 1448-2E/Isaanka and TGx 1440-1E/Record be used to improve yields of vegetable oilseeds

Lessons learnt from the intercropping and grazing of high value tree systems across europe

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Meta-Analysis on grain yield effects of cereals-legume intercropping

Meta-Analysis on grain yield effects of cereals-legume intercroppin

Intercropping cereals and grain legumes: a farmer’s perspective

Intercropping cereals and grain legumes show potential for organic agriculture in many ways. However, the use of land equivalent ratio (LER) as a measure for calculating the cropping advantage of intercrops over sole crops is too simple: neglecting weed suppression, yield reliability, grain quality, and minimum profitable yield, which are all relevant fac-tors from a farmer’s perspective. Only when the crop selection for the mixtures is carefully done, and crops are grown on the right soil in the right rotation, can intercropping be made to profit