Intercropping is used widely by smallholder farmers in developing countries to increase land productivity and profitability. We conducted a maize/peanut intercropping experiment in the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons in...Intercropping is used widely by smallholder farmers in developing countries to increase land productivity and profitability. We conducted a maize/peanut intercropping experiment in the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons in Shandong, China. Treatments included sole maize (SM), sole peanut (SP), and an intercrop consisting of four rows of maize and six rows of peanut (IM and IP). The results showed that the intercropping system had yield advantages based on the land equivalent ratio (LER) values of 1.15 and 1.16 in the two years, respectively. Averaged over the two years, the yield of maize in the intercropping was increased by 61.05% compared to that in SM, while the pod yield of peanut was decreased by 31.80% compared to SP. Maize was the superior competitor when intercropped with peanut, and its productivity dominated the yield of the intercropping system in our study. The increased yield was due to a higher kernel number per ear (KNE). Intercropping increased the light transmission ratio (LTR) of the ear layer in the maize canopy, the active photosynthetic duration (APD), and the harvest index (HI) compared to SM. In addition, intercropping promoted the ratio of dry matter accumulation after silking and the distribution of 13C-photosynthates to grain compared to SM. In conclusion, maize/peanut intercropping demonstrated the potential to improve the light condition of maize, achieving enhanced photosynthetic characteristics that improved female spike differentiation, reduced barrenness, and increased KNE. Moreover, dry matter accumulation and 13C-photosynthates distribution to grain of intercropped maize were improved, and a higher grain yield was ultimately obtained.展开更多
Maize/peanut intercropping system shows the significant yield advantage. Soil microbes play major roles in soil nutrient cycling and were affected by intercropping plants. This experiment was carried out to evaluate t...Maize/peanut intercropping system shows the significant yield advantage. Soil microbes play major roles in soil nutrient cycling and were affected by intercropping plants. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the changing of rhizosphere microbial community composition, and the relationship between microbial community and soil enzymatic activities, soil nutrients in maize/peanut intercropping system under the following three treatments： maize （Zea mays L.） and peanut （Arachis hypogaea L.） were intercropped without any separation （NS）, by half separation （HS） using a nylon net （50 μm） and complete separation （CS） by using a plastic sheet, respectively. The soil microbial communities were assessed by phospholipid fatty acid （PLFA）. We found that soil available nutrients （available nitrogen （Avail N） and available phosphorus （Avail P）） and enzymatic activities （soil urase and phosphomonoesterase） in both crops were improved in NS and HS treatments as compared to CS. Both bacterial and fungal biomasses in both crops were increased in NS followed by HS. Furthermore, Gram-positive bacteria （G＋） in maize soils were significant higher in NS and HS than CS, while the Gram-negative （G-） was significant higher in peanut soil. The ratio of normal saturated to monounsaturated PLFAs was significantly higher in rhizosphere of peanut under CS treatment than in any other treatments, which is an indicator of nutrient stress. Redundancy analysis and cluster analysis of PLFA showed rhizospheric microbial community of NS and HS of both plants tended to be consistent. The urase and Avail N were higher in NS and HS of both plants and positively correlated with bacteria, fungi （F） and total PLFAs, while negatively correlated with G＋/G- and NS/MS. The findings suggest that belowground interactions in maize/peanut intercropping system play important roles in changing the soil microbial composition and the dominant microbial species, which was closely related with the improving of soil available nutrients （N and P） and enzymatic activities.展开更多
[Objective] The aim was to explore efficient maize and peanut intercrop-ping mode and select suitable peanut varieties of the mode in Yungui Plateau. [Method] In the test, 6 cropping methods were set by randomized blo...[Objective] The aim was to explore efficient maize and peanut intercrop-ping mode and select suitable peanut varieties of the mode in Yungui Plateau. [Method] In the test, 6 cropping methods were set by randomized block design. Yields and economic benefits were measured in mature stage with Excelland DPS. [Result] Compared with monoculture, maize and peanut intercropping systems took advantages and LER values were proved higher than 1. In the intercropping system with maize and Yun peanut No.3 at 2∶2, in particular, the value of LER was 1.40 and compound yield reached 9 036 kg/hm2; the net output values of maize kernel and fresh/dry peanut pod increased by 182.63% and 140.59%, compared with maize by monoculture. In addition, the output values of Yun peanut No.3 by monoculture and intercropping system increased by 5 069 and 3 272 yuan/hm2, respectively, than Yanshan conventional peanut varieties. [Conclusion] The efficient intercropping system with maize and peanut mode at 2∶2 mode in Yungui plateau and the Yun peanut No.3 exhibited higher yield and economic benefit advantages, compared with Yanshan conventional planting peanut varieties.展开更多
Maize/soybean intercropping systems are commonly used in developing countries,but few studies have been performed to elucidate the differences in nutrient efficiency and rhizosphere microbiome,especially when maize is...Maize/soybean intercropping systems are commonly used in developing countries,but few studies have been performed to elucidate the differences in nutrient efficiency and rhizosphere microbiome,especially when maize is intercropped with different soybean varieties.In this study,field experiments were conducted to compare the growth and yield of two soybean(Glycine max)varieties,BD2 and YC03-3,and one maize(Zea mays)variety,Huazhen,in mono-cropped and intercropped cultures.The plant biomass and N content of both crops in BD2/maize intercropping were significantly improved compared to their monoculture,but no such effects were observed in the plants of YC03-3/maize intercropping.The yield of BD2 intercropped with maize exhibited a 37.5%increment above that of BD2 in monoculture.Moreover,19.2-29.1%longer root length of maize and 19.0-39.4%larger root volume of BD2 were observed in BD2/maize intercropping than in monoculture,but no growth advantage was observed in YC03-3/maize intercropping.Maize showed root avoidance when intercropped with BD2,but space competition when intercropped with YC03-3.16S rRNA amplicon sequencing showed that compared with the monoculture system,rhizobacteria community composition in BD2/maize intercropping changed more significantly than that of the YC03-3/maize intercropping system.In BD2/maize intercropping,most of the rhizobacteria community biomarker bacteria of BD2 were positively correlated with plant biomass,as well as plant P and N content.Maize tended to recruit Rhizobiales and Proteobacteria,which showed positive correlation with plant biomass and N content,respectively,as well as soil available N.In conclusion,soybean varieties determined the advantages of maize/soybean intercropping through root-root interactions and modification of rhizobacteria communities.Our insight emphasizes a linkage between root traits and the rhizobacteria community,which shows the importance of optimizing intercropping systems by selection of appropriate crop varieties.展开更多
Intercropping of maize(Zea mays L.) and peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.) often results in greater yields than the respective sole crops. However, there is limited knowledge of aboveground and belowground interspecific inte...Intercropping of maize(Zea mays L.) and peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.) often results in greater yields than the respective sole crops. However, there is limited knowledge of aboveground and belowground interspecific interactions between maize and peanut in field. A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of interspecific interactions on plant growth and grain yield for a peanut/maize intercropping system under different nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P) levels. The method of root separation was employed to differentiate belowground from aboveground interspecific interactions. We observed that the global interspecific interaction effect on the shoot biomass of the intercropping system decreased with the coexistence period, and belowground interaction contributed more than aboveground interaction to advantages of the intercropping in terms of shoot biomass and grain yield. There was a positive effect from aboveground and belowground interspecific interactions on crop plant growth in the intercropping system, except that aboveground interaction had a negative effect on peanut during the late coexistence period. The advantage of intercropping on grain came mainly from increased maize yield(means 95%) due to aboveground interspecific competition for light and belowground interaction(61%–72% vs. 28%–39% in fertilizer treatments). There was a negative effect on grain yield from aboveground interaction for peanut, but belowground interspecific interaction positively affected peanut grain yield.The supply of N, P, or N + P increased grain yield of intercropped maize and the contribution from aboveground interspecific interaction. Our study suggests that the advantages of peanut/maize intercropping for yield mainly comes from aboveground interspecific competition for maize and belowground interspecific facilitation for peanut, and their respective yield can be enhanced by N and P. These findings are important for managing the intercropping system and optimizing the benefits from using this system.展开更多
[Objective] The aim was to discuss the group dry matter accumulation and economic benefits under the patterns of intercropping maize （Zea mays L.） with soy-bean [Glycine max （L.） Merril ]. [Methods] Zhengdan-958 a...[Objective] The aim was to discuss the group dry matter accumulation and economic benefits under the patterns of intercropping maize （Zea mays L.） with soy-bean [Glycine max （L.） Merril ]. [Methods] Zhengdan-958 and Luhuang-1 were used as the testing breeds to study the effects of intercropping patterns on dry matter accumulation and transportation of maize and soybean in Huang-huai-hai. [Results] For maize, the dry matter accumulation amounts per hectare of intercropping was significant higher than that of the monoculture patterns, especial y after silking, when it reached extremely level; while for soybean, the dry matter accumulation amounts before flowering and after flowering of monocropping were al significantly higher than that of the intercropping patterns. For both maize and soybean, the transfer amounts of monocropping were al significantly or extremely significantly higher than that of intercropping; and the transfer ratio of maize intercropping was 0.59% higher than that of maize monocropping, while for soybean, it was 4.74% higher. Fitted dry matter accumulation with Logistic equation, it showed that the difference in maximum dry matter accumulation rate between maize monocropping and intercropping reached significant level, while for soybean, the maximum dry matter accumulation rate and its appearance time as wel as duration time between intercropping and monocropping were al reached significant level. The total land equivalent ratio of intercropping was 1.30. From yield and output value, the total yield of intercropping were 10.97 t/hm2, 0.64% and 326.85% higher than monocropping of maize and soy-bean, respectively. The total output value of intercropping was 25 796.23 yuan/hm2, respectively 12.67% and 104.68% higher than of maize and soybean monocropping. [Conclusion] The study lays a basis for improving grain yield and economic benefits.展开更多
Intercropping is one of the most vital practice to improve land utilization rate in China that has limited arable land resource. However, the traditional intercropping systems have many disadvantages including illogic...Intercropping is one of the most vital practice to improve land utilization rate in China that has limited arable land resource. However, the traditional intercropping systems have many disadvantages including illogical field lay-out of crops, low economic value, and labor deficiency, which cannot balance the crop production and agricultural sustainability. In view of this, we developed a novel soybean strip intercropping model using maize as the partner, the regular maize-soybean strip intercropping mainly popularized in northern China and maize-soybean relay-strip intercropping principally extended in southwestern China. Compared to the traditional maize-soybean intercropping systems, the main innovation of field lay-out style in our present intercropping systems is that the distance of two adjacent maize rows are shrunk as a narrow strip, and a strip called wide strip between two adjacent narrow strips is expanded reserving for the growth of two or three rows of soybean plants. The distance between outer rows of maize and soybean strips are expanded enough for light use efficiency improvement and tractors working in the soybean strips. Importantly, optimal cultivar screening and increase of plant density achieved a high yield of both the two crops in the intercropping systems and increased land equivalent ratio as high as 2.2. Annually alternative rotation of the adjacent maize-and soybean-strips increased the grain yield of next seasonal maize, improved the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potasium of maize, while prevented the continuous cropping obstacles. Extra soybean production was obtained without affecting maize yield in our strip intercropping systems, which balanced the high crop production and agricultural sustainability.展开更多
A 2-yr field experiment was conducted on a calcareous alluvial soil with four summer maize intercropping systems at Shangzhuang Experiment Station （116.3°E, 39.9°N） in the North China Plain. The objective ...A 2-yr field experiment was conducted on a calcareous alluvial soil with four summer maize intercropping systems at Shangzhuang Experiment Station （116.3°E, 39.9°N） in the North China Plain. The objective was to determine nitrate leaching from intercropping systems involving maize （Zea mays L.）： sole maize （CK）, maize ＋ soybean （CST）, maize ＋ groundnut （CGT）, maize ＋ ryegrass （CHM）, and maize ＋ alfalfa （CMX）. Intercropping greatly reduced nitrate accumulation in the 100-200 cm soil layers compared with maize monoculture. Nitrate accumulation under intercropping systems decreased significantly at the 140-200 cm soil depth; the accumulation varied in the order CK〉CST〉CMX〉CHM〉CGT. However, compared to the CK treatment, nitrate leaching losses during the maize growing period were reduced by 20.9- 174.8 （CGT）, 35.2-130.8 （CHM）, 60.4-122.0 （CMX）, and 30.6-82.4 kg ha-1 （CST）. The results also suggested that intereropping is an effective way to reduce nitrogen leaching in fields with N fertilizer over-dose.展开更多
Many studies have focused on various agricultural management measures to reduce agricultural nitrous oxide （N2O） emission. However, few studies have investigated soil N2O emissions in intercropping systems in the No...Many studies have focused on various agricultural management measures to reduce agricultural nitrous oxide （N2O） emission. However, few studies have investigated soil N2O emissions in intercropping systems in the North China Plain. Thus, we conducted a ifeld experiment to compare N2O emissions under monoculture and maize-legume intercropping systems. In 2010, ifve treatments, including monocultured maize （M）, maize-peanut （MP）, maize-alfalfa （MA）, maize-soybean （MS）, and maize-sweet clover （MSC） intercropping were designed to investigate this issue using the static chamber technique. In 2011, M, MP, and MS remained, and monocultured peanuts （P） and soybean （S） were added to the trial. The results showed that total production of N2O from different treatments ranged from （0.87＆#177;0.12） to （1.17＆#177;0.11） kg ha-1 in 2010, while those ranged from （3.35＆#177;0.30） to （9.10＆#177;2.09） kg ha-1 in 2011. MA and MSC had no signiifcant effect on soil N2O production compared to that of M （P＆lt;0.05）. Cumulative N2O emissions from MP in 2010 were signiifcantly lower than those from M, but the result was the opposite in 2011 （P＆lt;0.05）. MS signiifcantly reduced soil N2O emissions by 25.55 and 48.84%in 2010 and 2011, respectively （P＆lt;0.05）. Soil N2O emissions were signiifcantly correlated with soil water content, soil temperature, nitriifcation potential, soil NH4＋, and soil NO3-content （R2=0.160-0.764, P＆lt;0.01）. A stepwise linear regression analysis indicated that soil N2O release was mainly controlled by the interaction between soil moisture and soil NO3-content （R2=0.828, P＆lt;0.001）. These results indicate that MS had a coincident effect on soil N2O lfux and signiifcantly reduced soil N2O production compared to that of M over two growing seasons.展开更多
Smallholders in developing countries commonly use intercropping to produce crops with higher yield and value. Many intercropping studies have been conducted under experimental conditions, but few studies have been per...Smallholders in developing countries commonly use intercropping to produce crops with higher yield and value. Many intercropping studies have been conducted under experimental conditions, but few studies have been performed in farmers’ fields. We conducted a 4-year study using data from real farms to examine the relationships between yield and yield components of intercropped maize in the North China Plain. Three field experiments were conducted to compare the suitability of different maize varieties in intercropping. In the farm study, the grain yield of maize intercropped with watermelon was reduced by more than one third as compared to maize in wheat-maize double cropping, mainly due to lower ear density and lower 100-grain weight. Under real farm conditions, the yield of intercropped maize increased with increasing ear density and 100-grain weight, while yield of sole maize increased with increasing grain number per ear and 100-grain weight. In the field experiments, the maize cultivars commonly used in double cropping gave similar yields when grown in the intercropping system and their yields were closely related to ear density and 100-grain weight. Our results demonstrated that ear density, rather cultivar, was a key factor affecting the productivity of intercropped maize. Therefore,maintaining high ear density is a practical way for promoting productivity of maize in farmers’ intercropping practices.展开更多
Intercropping is an important agronomic practice. However, assessment of intercropping systems using field experiments is often limited by time and cost. In this study, the suitability of using the DeNitrification DeC...Intercropping is an important agronomic practice. However, assessment of intercropping systems using field experiments is often limited by time and cost. In this study, the suitability of using the DeNitrification DeComposition(DNDC) model to simulate intercropping of maize(Zea mays L.) and soybean(Glycine max L.) and its aftereffect on the succeeding wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) crop was tested in the North China Plain. First, the model was calibrated and corroborated to simulate crop yield and nitrogen(N) uptake based on a field experiment with a typical double cropping system. With a wheat crop in winter, the experiment included five treatments in summer: maize monoculture, soybean monoculture, intercropping of maize and soybean with no N topdressing to maize(N0), intercropping of maize and soybean with 75 kg N ha–1topdressing to maize(N75), and intercropping of maize and soybean with 180 kg N ha–1topdressing to maize(N180). All treatments had 45 kg N ha–1as basal fertilizer. After calibration and corroboration, DNDC was used to simulate long-term(1955 to 2012) treatment effects on yield. Results showed that DNDC could stringently capture the yield and N uptake of the intercropping system under all N management scenarios, though it tended to underestimate wheat yield and N uptake under N0 and N75. Long-term simulation results showed that N75 led to the highest maize and soybean yields per unit planting area among all treatments, increasing maize yield by 59% and soybean yield by 24%, resulting in a land utilization rate 42% higher than monoculture. The results suggest a high potential to promote soybean production by intercropping soybean with maize in the North China Plain, which will help to meet the large national demand for soybean.展开更多
Intercropping, as an overyielding system, can decrease soil erosion on sloping land through the presence of dense canopy covers. However, the structure mechanism in canopy is still unclear. We conducted a two-year fie...Intercropping, as an overyielding system, can decrease soil erosion on sloping land through the presence of dense canopy covers. However, the structure mechanism in canopy is still unclear. We conducted a two-year field experiment on runoff plots, exploring whether the interaction between vegetation layers reduce soil erosion in maize and potato intercropping systems. The maize, potato, and weed layers in the intercropping system were removed by a single layer, two layers and three layers, respectively(total of 8 treatments including all layers removed as the control). Then, throughfall, runoff and sediment were measured at the plot and row scale on a weekly basis. Based on the difference between each treatment and the control, we calculated and found a relative reduction of runoff and sediment by any combination of the two vegetation layers greater than the sum of each single layer. In 2016 and 2017, the highest relative reduction of runoff reached 15.65% and 46.73%, respectively. Sediment loss decreased by 33.96% and 42.77%, respectively. Moreover, runoffand sediment reduced by the combination of all vegetation layers(no layers removed) was also larger than the sum of that by each single layer. In 2016 and 2017, the highest relative reduction of runoff reached 7.32% and 3.48%, respectively. So, there were synergistic effects among multi-level(two or three layers) vegetation layers in terms of decreasing soil erosion on sloping land. Maize redistributes more throughfall at the maize intra-specific row and the maize and potato inter-specific, which is favorable for the synergistic effect of reducing soil erosion. This finding shows an important mechanism of maize and potato intercropping for soil and water conservation, and may promote the application of diverse cropping systems for sustainable agriculture in mountainous areas.展开更多
Weed control is one of the major constraint factors in crop production around the world. Field experiments were conducted during 2008-2009 under intercropping systems involving alfalfa （Medicago sativa L.）, sweet po...Weed control is one of the major constraint factors in crop production around the world. Field experiments were conducted during 2008-2009 under intercropping systems involving alfalfa （Medicago sativa L.）, sweet potato （lpomoea batatas [L.] Lain.）, peanut （Arachis hypogaea L.）, and sunflower （Helianthus annuus L.） in maize （Zea mays L.） without any weeds control methods taken. The results demonstrate that maizellsunflower is most effective on weed suppression and that it also has a more competitively inhibitory effect on Xanthium compared with the other patterns by evaluating the Xanthium density and dry weight under different intercropping systems with maize. Maizellpeanut, maizellalfalfa and maizel]sweet potato intercrops have no apparent inhibitory effect on weeds. To further investigate the effect of maize]lsunflower on weed control, indoor pot experiments were conducted by determining the effect of extractions on germination rate （GR）, root vigor, MDA （malondialdehyde）, SOD （superoxide dismutase） and POD （peroxidase） content of Xanthium. The results better prove that maizellsunflower extractions have more significant inhibitory effect on GR and young root vigor of Xanthium than maize monocrop extractions.展开更多
A field experiment was conducted during the 2002/2003 cropping season of winter wheat （Triticum aestivum） and spring maize （Zea mays） to evaluate the effect of limited single drip irrigation on the yield and water...A field experiment was conducted during the 2002/2003 cropping season of winter wheat （Triticum aestivum） and spring maize （Zea mays） to evaluate the effect of limited single drip irrigation on the yield and water use of both crops under relay intercropping in a semi-arid area of northwestern China. A controlled 35 mm single irrigation, either early or late, was applied to each crop at a certain growth stage. Soil water, leaf area, final grain yield and yield components such as the thousand-grain weight, length of spike, fertile spikelet number, number of grains per spike, and grain weight per spike were measured, and water use efficiency and leaf area index were calculated for the irrigated and non-irrigated relay intercropping treatments and sole cropping controls. The results showed that yield, yield components, water use efficiency, and leaf area index in the relay intercropping treatments were affected by limited single drip irrigation during various growth stages of wheat and maize. The total yields in the relay intercropping treatment irrigated during the heading stage of wheat and the heading and anthesis stage of maize were the highest among all the treatments, followed by that irrigated during the anthesis stage of wheat and silking stage of maize; so was the water use efficiency. Significant differences occurred in most yield components between the irrigated and non-irrigated relay-intercropping treatments. The dynamics of the leaf area index in the relay-intercropped or solely cropped wheat and maize showed a type of single-peak pattern, whereas that of the relay intercropping treatments showed a type of double-peak pattern. Appropriately, limited single irrigation and controlled soil water content level could result in higher total yield, water use efficiency, and leaf area index, and improved yield components in relay intercropping. This practice saved the amount of water used for irrigation and also increased the yield. Therefore, heading stage of wheat and heading and anthesis stage of maize were suggested to be the optimum limited single irrigation time for relay-intercropped wheat and maize in the semi-arid area.展开更多
The practice of intercropping leguminous and gramineous crops is used for promoting sustainable agriculture,optimizing resource utilization,enhancing biodiversity,and reducing reliance on petroleum products.However,pr...The practice of intercropping leguminous and gramineous crops is used for promoting sustainable agriculture,optimizing resource utilization,enhancing biodiversity,and reducing reliance on petroleum products.However,promoting conventional intercropping strategies in modern agriculture can prove challenging.The innovative technology of soybean maize strip intercropping(SMSI)has been proposed as a solution.This system has produced remarkable results in improving domestic soybean and maize production for both food security and sustainable agriculture.In this article,we provide an overview of SMSI and explain how it differs from traditional intercropping.We also discuss the core principles that foster higher yields and the prospects for its future development.展开更多
Maize-soybean relay intercropping is an effective approach to improve the crop yield and nutrient use efficiency,which is widely practiced by farmers in southwest of China.To elucidate the characteristics of different...Maize-soybean relay intercropping is an effective approach to improve the crop yield and nutrient use efficiency,which is widely practiced by farmers in southwest of China.To elucidate the characteristics of different planting patterns on crop nutrient uptake,soil chemical properties,and soil bacteria community in maize-soybean relay intercropping systems,we conducted a field experiment in 2015–2016 with single factor treatments,including monoculture maize(MM),monoculture soybean(MS),maize-soybean relay intercropping(IMS),and fallow(CK).The results showed that the N uptake of maize grain increased in IMS compared with MM.Compared with MS,the yield and uptake of N,P,and K of soybean grain were increased by 25.5,24.4,9.6,and 22.4%in IMS,respectively,while the N and K uptakes in soybean straw were decreased in IMS.The soil total nitrogen,available phosphorus,and soil organic matter contents were significantly higher in IMS than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK.Moreover,the soil protease,soil urease,and soil nitrate reductase activities in IMS were higher than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK.The phyla Proteobacteria,Acidobacteria,Chloroflexi,and Actinobacteria dominated in all treatments.Shannon’s index in IMS was higher than that of the corresponding monocultures and CK.The phylum Proteobacteria proportion was positively correlated with maize soil organic matter and soybean soil total nitrogen content,respectively.These results indicated that the belowground interactions increased the crop nutrient(N and P)uptake and soil bacterial community diversity,both of which contributed to improved soil nutrient management for legume-cereal relay intercropping systems.展开更多
In monoculture, crop failure due to biotic or abiotic causes can result in partial or total output failure. The yield, socio-economic, and environmental effects of intercropping on the farmer and the environment as a ...In monoculture, crop failure due to biotic or abiotic causes can result in partial or total output failure. The yield, socio-economic, and environmental effects of intercropping on the farmer and the environment as a whole have not received much attention. There is a dearth of knowledge on the productivity of maize-groundnut intercrops in Ghana regarding the relative timing of planting and spatial arrangement of component crops. Therefore, the objective of the study was to determine the effects of spatial row arrangement and the time of planting intercrops on the productivity of groundnut under maize-groundnut intercropping. The 5 × 3 factorial field experiment was undertaken at the Miminaso community in the Ejura-Sekyedumase municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana during the 2020 cropping seasons. Treatments were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The levels of row arrangement of intercrops were: one row of maize and one row of groundnut (1M1G), one row of maize and two rows of groundnut (1M2G), two rows of maize and one row of groundnut (2M1G), two rows of maize and two rows of groundnut (2M2G), sole maize and sole groundnut (M/G). The levels of time of introducing groundnut included simultaneous planting of intercrops (0 WAP), planting groundnut one week after planting maize (1 WAP) and planting groundnut two weeks after planting maize (2 WAP). There were significant (P 0.05) treatment interactions for pod and seed yields of groundnut throughout the study. The highest groundnut pod yields of 1815.00 kg/ha and 2359.00 kg/ha were recorded by the 0WAP × 1M2G treatment in the major and minor seasons of 2020, respectively, while the highest groundnut seed yields of 741.00 kg/ha and 726.00 kg/ha were recorded in the major and minor rainy seasons of 2020 by 1WAP × G and 0WAP × G treatments, respectively. The highest seed yields of groundnut (404 kg/ha and 637 kg/ha for major and minor rainy seasons, respectively) were produced by 1WAP × 2M2G.展开更多
Adjustment of planting geometry along with suitable maize cultivar can be a viable tool for maximizing land usage and net return. A two-year study was carried out at Serw Agricultural Experiments and Research Station,...Adjustment of planting geometry along with suitable maize cultivar can be a viable tool for maximizing land usage and net return. A two-year study was carried out at Serw Agricultural Experiments and Research Station, A.R.C., Domiate governorate, Egypt, during 2015 and 2016 seasons to evaluate intercropping cowpea with suitable maize cultivar and its planting geometry for maximizing land usage and net return. The treatments were the combinations between three maize cultivars (SC 30K08, TWC 310 and TWC 352) and three maize plant distributions (one plant/hill distanced at 25, 50 and 75 cm between hills, respectively). Ridge width with maize plant distribution formed maize planting geometry (25 cm × 140 cm, 50 cm × 140 cm and 75 cm × 140 cm). These treatments were compared in a split plot distribution in randomized complete block design with three replications. Maize cultivar SC 30K08 had the highest grain yield and its attributes compared with the other cultivars in both seasons. Also, maize planting geometry 25 cm × 140 cm resulted in the highest grain yield and its attributes compared with the other planting geometries in both seasons. Ear length, ear weight, 100-grain weight and grain yield/fad were affected significantly by maize cultivars × maize planting geometry. Intercropping cowpea with maize cultivar TWC 352 had the highest seed yield and its attributes compared with those intercropped with the other cultivars in both seasons. Also, maize planting geometry 75 cm × 140 cm resulted in the highest seed yield and its attributes through growing two cowpea rows between maize hills compared with the other maize planting geometries in both seasons. Number of pods/plant and seed yield/fad were affected significantly by maize cultivars × maize planting geometry. LER and LEC values of the intercrops were much greater than 1.00 and 0.25, respectively, for all the combinations indicating less land requirements of intercropping system than solid culture of both crops. Growing one row of maize cultivar TWC352 in both sides of bed 140 cm width with cowpea two rows in middle of the bed increased land productivity and net return compared with solid culture of maize.展开更多
An experiment was conducted during Kharif seasons of 2009 and 2010 on sandy loam soil of West Bengal, India to evaluate the productivity and economic viability of maize ＋ legume intercropping systems in additive as w...An experiment was conducted during Kharif seasons of 2009 and 2010 on sandy loam soil of West Bengal, India to evaluate the productivity and economic viability of maize ＋ legume intercropping systems in additive as well as in replacement series with different row proportions. Maize （Zea rnays L.） cv. ＂Vijay＂ （composite）, green gram （Vigna radiata L.） cv. ＂Samrat＂, black gram （Vigna mungo L.） cv. ＂Sarada＂, soybean （Glycine max L. Merril） cv. ＂PK 327＂ and peanut （Arachis hypogaea L.） cv. ＂JL 24＂, were tested in monoculture as well as in intercropping situations with 1：1 （additive series） and 1：2 ratios （replacement series）. The result indicated that intercropped legumes improved the yield components of maize and offered some bonus yield. The highest maize grain yield （2,916.28 kg/ha） and maize equivalent yield （4,831.45 kg/ha） were recorded with maize ＋ green gram （1：1） and maize ＋ peanut （1：I）, respectively. The values of all the competition functions were always greater than unity and maize ＋ black gram （1：2） recorded the highest values of land equivalent ratio （1.433）, area time equivalent ratio （1.374） and land equivalent coefficient （0.421）. Maximum monetary advantage （Rs. 10,579.13） was found with maize ＋ green gam （l：1）. Maize ＋ peanut （1：2） combination recorded the highest relative net return （2.01）, net return （Rs. 28,523.08）, benefit-cost ratio （2.76） ad per day return （Rs. 259.30）.展开更多
Root architecture,which determines the water and nutrient uptake ability of crops,is highly plastic in response to soil environmental changes and different cultivation patterns.Root phenotyping for field-grown crops,e...Root architecture,which determines the water and nutrient uptake ability of crops,is highly plastic in response to soil environmental changes and different cultivation patterns.Root phenotyping for field-grown crops,especially topological trait extraction,is rarely performed.In this study,an image-based semi-automatic root phenotyping method for field-grown crops was developed.The method consisted of image acquisition,image denoising and segmentation,trait extraction and data analysis.Five global traits and 40 local traits were extracted with this method.A good consistency in 1st-order lateral root branching was observed between the visually counted values and the values extracted using the developed method,with R^(2)=0.97.Using the method,we found that the interspecific advantages for maize mainly occurred within 5 cm from the root base in the nodal roots of the 5th-7th nodes,and that the obvious inhibition of soybean was mostly reflected within 20 cm from the root base.Our study provides a novel approach with high-throughput and high-accuracy for field research on root morphology and branching features.It could be applied to the 3D reconstruction of field-grown root system architecture to improve the inputs to data-driven models(e.g.,OpenSimRoot)that simulate root growth,solute transport and water uptake.展开更多
基金support of the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFD0301001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31301274 and 31171497)+1 种基金funds from the Shandong “Double Tops” Program, China (SYL2017XTTD14)the Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology in Shandong Agricultural University, China (2018KF10)
文摘Intercropping is used widely by smallholder farmers in developing countries to increase land productivity and profitability. We conducted a maize/peanut intercropping experiment in the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons in Shandong, China. Treatments included sole maize (SM), sole peanut (SP), and an intercrop consisting of four rows of maize and six rows of peanut (IM and IP). The results showed that the intercropping system had yield advantages based on the land equivalent ratio (LER) values of 1.15 and 1.16 in the two years, respectively. Averaged over the two years, the yield of maize in the intercropping was increased by 61.05% compared to that in SM, while the pod yield of peanut was decreased by 31.80% compared to SP. Maize was the superior competitor when intercropped with peanut, and its productivity dominated the yield of the intercropping system in our study. The increased yield was due to a higher kernel number per ear (KNE). Intercropping increased the light transmission ratio (LTR) of the ear layer in the maize canopy, the active photosynthetic duration (APD), and the harvest index (HI) compared to SM. In addition, intercropping promoted the ratio of dry matter accumulation after silking and the distribution of 13C-photosynthates to grain compared to SM. In conclusion, maize/peanut intercropping demonstrated the potential to improve the light condition of maize, achieving enhanced photosynthetic characteristics that improved female spike differentiation, reduced barrenness, and increased KNE. Moreover, dry matter accumulation and 13C-photosynthates distribution to grain of intercropped maize were improved, and a higher grain yield was ultimately obtained.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81303170, 2012CB126309 and U1205021)the Chinese Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2013M541849)
文摘Maize/peanut intercropping system shows the significant yield advantage. Soil microbes play major roles in soil nutrient cycling and were affected by intercropping plants. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the changing of rhizosphere microbial community composition, and the relationship between microbial community and soil enzymatic activities, soil nutrients in maize/peanut intercropping system under the following three treatments： maize （Zea mays L.） and peanut （Arachis hypogaea L.） were intercropped without any separation （NS）, by half separation （HS） using a nylon net （50 μm） and complete separation （CS） by using a plastic sheet, respectively. The soil microbial communities were assessed by phospholipid fatty acid （PLFA）. We found that soil available nutrients （available nitrogen （Avail N） and available phosphorus （Avail P）） and enzymatic activities （soil urase and phosphomonoesterase） in both crops were improved in NS and HS treatments as compared to CS. Both bacterial and fungal biomasses in both crops were increased in NS followed by HS. Furthermore, Gram-positive bacteria （G＋） in maize soils were significant higher in NS and HS than CS, while the Gram-negative （G-） was significant higher in peanut soil. The ratio of normal saturated to monounsaturated PLFAs was significantly higher in rhizosphere of peanut under CS treatment than in any other treatments, which is an indicator of nutrient stress. Redundancy analysis and cluster analysis of PLFA showed rhizospheric microbial community of NS and HS of both plants tended to be consistent. The urase and Avail N were higher in NS and HS of both plants and positively correlated with bacteria, fungi （F） and total PLFAs, while negatively correlated with G＋/G- and NS/MS. The findings suggest that belowground interactions in maize/peanut intercropping system play important roles in changing the soil microbial composition and the dominant microbial species, which was closely related with the improving of soil available nutrients （N and P） and enzymatic activities.
基金Supported by Yunnan Key New Cultivar Development Plan(2011BB010)National Peanut Industry Technology System(CARS-14)~~
文摘[Objective] The aim was to explore efficient maize and peanut intercrop-ping mode and select suitable peanut varieties of the mode in Yungui Plateau. [Method] In the test, 6 cropping methods were set by randomized block design. Yields and economic benefits were measured in mature stage with Excelland DPS. [Result] Compared with monoculture, maize and peanut intercropping systems took advantages and LER values were proved higher than 1. In the intercropping system with maize and Yun peanut No.3 at 2∶2, in particular, the value of LER was 1.40 and compound yield reached 9 036 kg/hm2; the net output values of maize kernel and fresh/dry peanut pod increased by 182.63% and 140.59%, compared with maize by monoculture. In addition, the output values of Yun peanut No.3 by monoculture and intercropping system increased by 5 069 and 3 272 yuan/hm2, respectively, than Yanshan conventional peanut varieties. [Conclusion] The efficient intercropping system with maize and peanut mode at 2∶2 mode in Yungui plateau and the Yun peanut No.3 exhibited higher yield and economic benefit advantages, compared with Yanshan conventional planting peanut varieties.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFF1000504 and 2023YFD1901300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32172658,32172659 and 32302662)the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province,China(2021A1515010826).
文摘Maize/soybean intercropping systems are commonly used in developing countries,but few studies have been performed to elucidate the differences in nutrient efficiency and rhizosphere microbiome,especially when maize is intercropped with different soybean varieties.In this study,field experiments were conducted to compare the growth and yield of two soybean(Glycine max)varieties,BD2 and YC03-3,and one maize(Zea mays)variety,Huazhen,in mono-cropped and intercropped cultures.The plant biomass and N content of both crops in BD2/maize intercropping were significantly improved compared to their monoculture,but no such effects were observed in the plants of YC03-3/maize intercropping.The yield of BD2 intercropped with maize exhibited a 37.5%increment above that of BD2 in monoculture.Moreover,19.2-29.1%longer root length of maize and 19.0-39.4%larger root volume of BD2 were observed in BD2/maize intercropping than in monoculture,but no growth advantage was observed in YC03-3/maize intercropping.Maize showed root avoidance when intercropped with BD2,but space competition when intercropped with YC03-3.16S rRNA amplicon sequencing showed that compared with the monoculture system,rhizobacteria community composition in BD2/maize intercropping changed more significantly than that of the YC03-3/maize intercropping system.In BD2/maize intercropping,most of the rhizobacteria community biomarker bacteria of BD2 were positively correlated with plant biomass,as well as plant P and N content.Maize tended to recruit Rhizobiales and Proteobacteria,which showed positive correlation with plant biomass and N content,respectively,as well as soil available N.In conclusion,soybean varieties determined the advantages of maize/soybean intercropping through root-root interactions and modification of rhizobacteria communities.Our insight emphasizes a linkage between root traits and the rhizobacteria community,which shows the importance of optimizing intercropping systems by selection of appropriate crop varieties.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFD0200202)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U1404315)+1 种基金the China Scholarship Council(201608410278)the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province(182300410014)。
文摘Intercropping of maize(Zea mays L.) and peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.) often results in greater yields than the respective sole crops. However, there is limited knowledge of aboveground and belowground interspecific interactions between maize and peanut in field. A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of interspecific interactions on plant growth and grain yield for a peanut/maize intercropping system under different nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P) levels. The method of root separation was employed to differentiate belowground from aboveground interspecific interactions. We observed that the global interspecific interaction effect on the shoot biomass of the intercropping system decreased with the coexistence period, and belowground interaction contributed more than aboveground interaction to advantages of the intercropping in terms of shoot biomass and grain yield. There was a positive effect from aboveground and belowground interspecific interactions on crop plant growth in the intercropping system, except that aboveground interaction had a negative effect on peanut during the late coexistence period. The advantage of intercropping on grain came mainly from increased maize yield(means 95%) due to aboveground interspecific competition for light and belowground interaction(61%–72% vs. 28%–39% in fertilizer treatments). There was a negative effect on grain yield from aboveground interaction for peanut, but belowground interspecific interaction positively affected peanut grain yield.The supply of N, P, or N + P increased grain yield of intercropped maize and the contribution from aboveground interspecific interaction. Our study suggests that the advantages of peanut/maize intercropping for yield mainly comes from aboveground interspecific competition for maize and belowground interspecific facilitation for peanut, and their respective yield can be enhanced by N and P. These findings are important for managing the intercropping system and optimizing the benefits from using this system.
基金Supported by the National Transformation Project for Agriculture Science and Technology Achievements(2011GB2C300011)the National Science and Technology Funds for Agriculture during the Twelfth Five-year Plan(2011BAD35B06-4)~~
文摘[Objective] The aim was to discuss the group dry matter accumulation and economic benefits under the patterns of intercropping maize （Zea mays L.） with soy-bean [Glycine max （L.） Merril ]. [Methods] Zhengdan-958 and Luhuang-1 were used as the testing breeds to study the effects of intercropping patterns on dry matter accumulation and transportation of maize and soybean in Huang-huai-hai. [Results] For maize, the dry matter accumulation amounts per hectare of intercropping was significant higher than that of the monoculture patterns, especial y after silking, when it reached extremely level; while for soybean, the dry matter accumulation amounts before flowering and after flowering of monocropping were al significantly higher than that of the intercropping patterns. For both maize and soybean, the transfer amounts of monocropping were al significantly or extremely significantly higher than that of intercropping; and the transfer ratio of maize intercropping was 0.59% higher than that of maize monocropping, while for soybean, it was 4.74% higher. Fitted dry matter accumulation with Logistic equation, it showed that the difference in maximum dry matter accumulation rate between maize monocropping and intercropping reached significant level, while for soybean, the maximum dry matter accumulation rate and its appearance time as wel as duration time between intercropping and monocropping were al reached significant level. The total land equivalent ratio of intercropping was 1.30. From yield and output value, the total yield of intercropping were 10.97 t/hm2, 0.64% and 326.85% higher than monocropping of maize and soy-bean, respectively. The total output value of intercropping was 25 796.23 yuan/hm2, respectively 12.67% and 104.68% higher than of maize and soybean monocropping. [Conclusion] The study lays a basis for improving grain yield and economic benefits.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31401308, 31371555 and 31671445)
文摘Intercropping is one of the most vital practice to improve land utilization rate in China that has limited arable land resource. However, the traditional intercropping systems have many disadvantages including illogical field lay-out of crops, low economic value, and labor deficiency, which cannot balance the crop production and agricultural sustainability. In view of this, we developed a novel soybean strip intercropping model using maize as the partner, the regular maize-soybean strip intercropping mainly popularized in northern China and maize-soybean relay-strip intercropping principally extended in southwestern China. Compared to the traditional maize-soybean intercropping systems, the main innovation of field lay-out style in our present intercropping systems is that the distance of two adjacent maize rows are shrunk as a narrow strip, and a strip called wide strip between two adjacent narrow strips is expanded reserving for the growth of two or three rows of soybean plants. The distance between outer rows of maize and soybean strips are expanded enough for light use efficiency improvement and tractors working in the soybean strips. Importantly, optimal cultivar screening and increase of plant density achieved a high yield of both the two crops in the intercropping systems and increased land equivalent ratio as high as 2.2. Annually alternative rotation of the adjacent maize-and soybean-strips increased the grain yield of next seasonal maize, improved the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potasium of maize, while prevented the continuous cropping obstacles. Extra soybean production was obtained without affecting maize yield in our strip intercropping systems, which balanced the high crop production and agricultural sustainability.
基金the Key Technologies R&D Program of China during the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2007BAD89B01)the Key Technologies R&D Program of China during the 12th Five-Year Plan period(2011BAD16B15)the Project of Collaboration between Henan Province and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Program (102106000034)
文摘A 2-yr field experiment was conducted on a calcareous alluvial soil with four summer maize intercropping systems at Shangzhuang Experiment Station （116.3°E, 39.9°N） in the North China Plain. The objective was to determine nitrate leaching from intercropping systems involving maize （Zea mays L.）： sole maize （CK）, maize ＋ soybean （CST）, maize ＋ groundnut （CGT）, maize ＋ ryegrass （CHM）, and maize ＋ alfalfa （CMX）. Intercropping greatly reduced nitrate accumulation in the 100-200 cm soil layers compared with maize monoculture. Nitrate accumulation under intercropping systems decreased significantly at the 140-200 cm soil depth; the accumulation varied in the order CK〉CST〉CMX〉CHM〉CGT. However, compared to the CK treatment, nitrate leaching losses during the maize growing period were reduced by 20.9- 174.8 （CGT）, 35.2-130.8 （CHM）, 60.4-122.0 （CMX）, and 30.6-82.4 kg ha-1 （CST）. The results also suggested that intereropping is an effective way to reduce nitrogen leaching in fields with N fertilizer over-dose.
基金supported by the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China (2011BAD16B15 and 2012BAD14B03)
文摘Many studies have focused on various agricultural management measures to reduce agricultural nitrous oxide （N2O） emission. However, few studies have investigated soil N2O emissions in intercropping systems in the North China Plain. Thus, we conducted a ifeld experiment to compare N2O emissions under monoculture and maize-legume intercropping systems. In 2010, ifve treatments, including monocultured maize （M）, maize-peanut （MP）, maize-alfalfa （MA）, maize-soybean （MS）, and maize-sweet clover （MSC） intercropping were designed to investigate this issue using the static chamber technique. In 2011, M, MP, and MS remained, and monocultured peanuts （P） and soybean （S） were added to the trial. The results showed that total production of N2O from different treatments ranged from （0.87＆#177;0.12） to （1.17＆#177;0.11） kg ha-1 in 2010, while those ranged from （3.35＆#177;0.30） to （9.10＆#177;2.09） kg ha-1 in 2011. MA and MSC had no signiifcant effect on soil N2O production compared to that of M （P＆lt;0.05）. Cumulative N2O emissions from MP in 2010 were signiifcantly lower than those from M, but the result was the opposite in 2011 （P＆lt;0.05）. MS signiifcantly reduced soil N2O emissions by 25.55 and 48.84%in 2010 and 2011, respectively （P＆lt;0.05）. Soil N2O emissions were signiifcantly correlated with soil water content, soil temperature, nitriifcation potential, soil NH4＋, and soil NO3-content （R2=0.160-0.764, P＆lt;0.01）. A stepwise linear regression analysis indicated that soil N2O release was mainly controlled by the interaction between soil moisture and soil NO3-content （R2=0.828, P＆lt;0.001）. These results indicate that MS had a coincident effect on soil N2O lfux and signiifcantly reduced soil N2O production compared to that of M over two growing seasons.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFD0200107, 2016YFE0101100 and 2017YFD0200207)the National Basic Research Prgram of China (973 Program) (2015CB150400)
文摘Smallholders in developing countries commonly use intercropping to produce crops with higher yield and value. Many intercropping studies have been conducted under experimental conditions, but few studies have been performed in farmers’ fields. We conducted a 4-year study using data from real farms to examine the relationships between yield and yield components of intercropped maize in the North China Plain. Three field experiments were conducted to compare the suitability of different maize varieties in intercropping. In the farm study, the grain yield of maize intercropped with watermelon was reduced by more than one third as compared to maize in wheat-maize double cropping, mainly due to lower ear density and lower 100-grain weight. Under real farm conditions, the yield of intercropped maize increased with increasing ear density and 100-grain weight, while yield of sole maize increased with increasing grain number per ear and 100-grain weight. In the field experiments, the maize cultivars commonly used in double cropping gave similar yields when grown in the intercropping system and their yields were closely related to ear density and 100-grain weight. Our results demonstrated that ear density, rather cultivar, was a key factor affecting the productivity of intercropped maize. Therefore,maintaining high ear density is a practical way for promoting productivity of maize in farmers’ intercropping practices.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31701995 and 31572208)the National Key Research & Development Program of China (2016YFD0800101)+1 种基金the Newton Fund of UK-China (BB/N013484/1)supported by China Scholarship Council (2015-7169)
文摘Intercropping is an important agronomic practice. However, assessment of intercropping systems using field experiments is often limited by time and cost. In this study, the suitability of using the DeNitrification DeComposition(DNDC) model to simulate intercropping of maize(Zea mays L.) and soybean(Glycine max L.) and its aftereffect on the succeeding wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) crop was tested in the North China Plain. First, the model was calibrated and corroborated to simulate crop yield and nitrogen(N) uptake based on a field experiment with a typical double cropping system. With a wheat crop in winter, the experiment included five treatments in summer: maize monoculture, soybean monoculture, intercropping of maize and soybean with no N topdressing to maize(N0), intercropping of maize and soybean with 75 kg N ha–1topdressing to maize(N75), and intercropping of maize and soybean with 180 kg N ha–1topdressing to maize(N180). All treatments had 45 kg N ha–1as basal fertilizer. After calibration and corroboration, DNDC was used to simulate long-term(1955 to 2012) treatment effects on yield. Results showed that DNDC could stringently capture the yield and N uptake of the intercropping system under all N management scenarios, though it tended to underestimate wheat yield and N uptake under N0 and N75. Long-term simulation results showed that N75 led to the highest maize and soybean yields per unit planting area among all treatments, increasing maize yield by 59% and soybean yield by 24%, resulting in a land utilization rate 42% higher than monoculture. The results suggest a high potential to promote soybean production by intercropping soybean with maize in the North China Plain, which will help to meet the large national demand for soybean.
基金financially supported by the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest of China(Grant No.201503119)the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China(Grant No.2015BAD06B04)the Scholarship Award for Excellent Doctoral Student granted by Yunnan Province
文摘Intercropping, as an overyielding system, can decrease soil erosion on sloping land through the presence of dense canopy covers. However, the structure mechanism in canopy is still unclear. We conducted a two-year field experiment on runoff plots, exploring whether the interaction between vegetation layers reduce soil erosion in maize and potato intercropping systems. The maize, potato, and weed layers in the intercropping system were removed by a single layer, two layers and three layers, respectively(total of 8 treatments including all layers removed as the control). Then, throughfall, runoff and sediment were measured at the plot and row scale on a weekly basis. Based on the difference between each treatment and the control, we calculated and found a relative reduction of runoff and sediment by any combination of the two vegetation layers greater than the sum of each single layer. In 2016 and 2017, the highest relative reduction of runoff reached 15.65% and 46.73%, respectively. Sediment loss decreased by 33.96% and 42.77%, respectively. Moreover, runoffand sediment reduced by the combination of all vegetation layers(no layers removed) was also larger than the sum of that by each single layer. In 2016 and 2017, the highest relative reduction of runoff reached 7.32% and 3.48%, respectively. So, there were synergistic effects among multi-level(two or three layers) vegetation layers in terms of decreasing soil erosion on sloping land. Maize redistributes more throughfall at the maize intra-specific row and the maize and potato inter-specific, which is favorable for the synergistic effect of reducing soil erosion. This finding shows an important mechanism of maize and potato intercropping for soil and water conservation, and may promote the application of diverse cropping systems for sustainable agriculture in mountainous areas.
基金supported by the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China during the 11th Five-Year Planperiod (2007BAD89B01)
文摘Weed control is one of the major constraint factors in crop production around the world. Field experiments were conducted during 2008-2009 under intercropping systems involving alfalfa （Medicago sativa L.）, sweet potato （lpomoea batatas [L.] Lain.）, peanut （Arachis hypogaea L.）, and sunflower （Helianthus annuus L.） in maize （Zea mays L.） without any weeds control methods taken. The results demonstrate that maizellsunflower is most effective on weed suppression and that it also has a more competitively inhibitory effect on Xanthium compared with the other patterns by evaluating the Xanthium density and dry weight under different intercropping systems with maize. Maizellpeanut, maizellalfalfa and maizel]sweet potato intercrops have no apparent inhibitory effect on weeds. To further investigate the effect of maize]lsunflower on weed control, indoor pot experiments were conducted by determining the effect of extractions on germination rate （GR）, root vigor, MDA （malondialdehyde）, SOD （superoxide dismutase） and POD （peroxidase） content of Xanthium. The results better prove that maizellsunflower extractions have more significant inhibitory effect on GR and young root vigor of Xanthium than maize monocrop extractions.
基金the National Key Basic Research Special Foundation (NKBRSF) of China (No.G2000018603)and the National High Technology Research and Development Program (863 Program) of China (No.2002AA2Z4191).
文摘A field experiment was conducted during the 2002/2003 cropping season of winter wheat （Triticum aestivum） and spring maize （Zea mays） to evaluate the effect of limited single drip irrigation on the yield and water use of both crops under relay intercropping in a semi-arid area of northwestern China. A controlled 35 mm single irrigation, either early or late, was applied to each crop at a certain growth stage. Soil water, leaf area, final grain yield and yield components such as the thousand-grain weight, length of spike, fertile spikelet number, number of grains per spike, and grain weight per spike were measured, and water use efficiency and leaf area index were calculated for the irrigated and non-irrigated relay intercropping treatments and sole cropping controls. The results showed that yield, yield components, water use efficiency, and leaf area index in the relay intercropping treatments were affected by limited single drip irrigation during various growth stages of wheat and maize. The total yields in the relay intercropping treatment irrigated during the heading stage of wheat and the heading and anthesis stage of maize were the highest among all the treatments, followed by that irrigated during the anthesis stage of wheat and silking stage of maize; so was the water use efficiency. Significant differences occurred in most yield components between the irrigated and non-irrigated relay-intercropping treatments. The dynamics of the leaf area index in the relay-intercropped or solely cropped wheat and maize showed a type of single-peak pattern, whereas that of the relay intercropping treatments showed a type of double-peak pattern. Appropriately, limited single irrigation and controlled soil water content level could result in higher total yield, water use efficiency, and leaf area index, and improved yield components in relay intercropping. This practice saved the amount of water used for irrigation and also increased the yield. Therefore, heading stage of wheat and heading and anthesis stage of maize were suggested to be the optimum limited single irrigation time for relay-intercropped wheat and maize in the semi-arid area.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31971853)。
文摘The practice of intercropping leguminous and gramineous crops is used for promoting sustainable agriculture,optimizing resource utilization,enhancing biodiversity,and reducing reliance on petroleum products.However,promoting conventional intercropping strategies in modern agriculture can prove challenging.The innovative technology of soybean maize strip intercropping(SMSI)has been proposed as a solution.This system has produced remarkable results in improving domestic soybean and maize production for both food security and sustainable agriculture.In this article,we provide an overview of SMSI and explain how it differs from traditional intercropping.We also discuss the core principles that foster higher yields and the prospects for its future development.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31671625, 31271669)the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD0300202)
文摘Maize-soybean relay intercropping is an effective approach to improve the crop yield and nutrient use efficiency,which is widely practiced by farmers in southwest of China.To elucidate the characteristics of different planting patterns on crop nutrient uptake,soil chemical properties,and soil bacteria community in maize-soybean relay intercropping systems,we conducted a field experiment in 2015–2016 with single factor treatments,including monoculture maize(MM),monoculture soybean(MS),maize-soybean relay intercropping(IMS),and fallow(CK).The results showed that the N uptake of maize grain increased in IMS compared with MM.Compared with MS,the yield and uptake of N,P,and K of soybean grain were increased by 25.5,24.4,9.6,and 22.4%in IMS,respectively,while the N and K uptakes in soybean straw were decreased in IMS.The soil total nitrogen,available phosphorus,and soil organic matter contents were significantly higher in IMS than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK.Moreover,the soil protease,soil urease,and soil nitrate reductase activities in IMS were higher than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK.The phyla Proteobacteria,Acidobacteria,Chloroflexi,and Actinobacteria dominated in all treatments.Shannon’s index in IMS was higher than that of the corresponding monocultures and CK.The phylum Proteobacteria proportion was positively correlated with maize soil organic matter and soybean soil total nitrogen content,respectively.These results indicated that the belowground interactions increased the crop nutrient(N and P)uptake and soil bacterial community diversity,both of which contributed to improved soil nutrient management for legume-cereal relay intercropping systems.
文摘In monoculture, crop failure due to biotic or abiotic causes can result in partial or total output failure. The yield, socio-economic, and environmental effects of intercropping on the farmer and the environment as a whole have not received much attention. There is a dearth of knowledge on the productivity of maize-groundnut intercrops in Ghana regarding the relative timing of planting and spatial arrangement of component crops. Therefore, the objective of the study was to determine the effects of spatial row arrangement and the time of planting intercrops on the productivity of groundnut under maize-groundnut intercropping. The 5 × 3 factorial field experiment was undertaken at the Miminaso community in the Ejura-Sekyedumase municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana during the 2020 cropping seasons. Treatments were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The levels of row arrangement of intercrops were: one row of maize and one row of groundnut (1M1G), one row of maize and two rows of groundnut (1M2G), two rows of maize and one row of groundnut (2M1G), two rows of maize and two rows of groundnut (2M2G), sole maize and sole groundnut (M/G). The levels of time of introducing groundnut included simultaneous planting of intercrops (0 WAP), planting groundnut one week after planting maize (1 WAP) and planting groundnut two weeks after planting maize (2 WAP). There were significant (P 0.05) treatment interactions for pod and seed yields of groundnut throughout the study. The highest groundnut pod yields of 1815.00 kg/ha and 2359.00 kg/ha were recorded by the 0WAP × 1M2G treatment in the major and minor seasons of 2020, respectively, while the highest groundnut seed yields of 741.00 kg/ha and 726.00 kg/ha were recorded in the major and minor rainy seasons of 2020 by 1WAP × G and 0WAP × G treatments, respectively. The highest seed yields of groundnut (404 kg/ha and 637 kg/ha for major and minor rainy seasons, respectively) were produced by 1WAP × 2M2G.
文摘Adjustment of planting geometry along with suitable maize cultivar can be a viable tool for maximizing land usage and net return. A two-year study was carried out at Serw Agricultural Experiments and Research Station, A.R.C., Domiate governorate, Egypt, during 2015 and 2016 seasons to evaluate intercropping cowpea with suitable maize cultivar and its planting geometry for maximizing land usage and net return. The treatments were the combinations between three maize cultivars (SC 30K08, TWC 310 and TWC 352) and three maize plant distributions (one plant/hill distanced at 25, 50 and 75 cm between hills, respectively). Ridge width with maize plant distribution formed maize planting geometry (25 cm × 140 cm, 50 cm × 140 cm and 75 cm × 140 cm). These treatments were compared in a split plot distribution in randomized complete block design with three replications. Maize cultivar SC 30K08 had the highest grain yield and its attributes compared with the other cultivars in both seasons. Also, maize planting geometry 25 cm × 140 cm resulted in the highest grain yield and its attributes compared with the other planting geometries in both seasons. Ear length, ear weight, 100-grain weight and grain yield/fad were affected significantly by maize cultivars × maize planting geometry. Intercropping cowpea with maize cultivar TWC 352 had the highest seed yield and its attributes compared with those intercropped with the other cultivars in both seasons. Also, maize planting geometry 75 cm × 140 cm resulted in the highest seed yield and its attributes through growing two cowpea rows between maize hills compared with the other maize planting geometries in both seasons. Number of pods/plant and seed yield/fad were affected significantly by maize cultivars × maize planting geometry. LER and LEC values of the intercrops were much greater than 1.00 and 0.25, respectively, for all the combinations indicating less land requirements of intercropping system than solid culture of both crops. Growing one row of maize cultivar TWC352 in both sides of bed 140 cm width with cowpea two rows in middle of the bed increased land productivity and net return compared with solid culture of maize.
文摘An experiment was conducted during Kharif seasons of 2009 and 2010 on sandy loam soil of West Bengal, India to evaluate the productivity and economic viability of maize ＋ legume intercropping systems in additive as well as in replacement series with different row proportions. Maize （Zea rnays L.） cv. ＂Vijay＂ （composite）, green gram （Vigna radiata L.） cv. ＂Samrat＂, black gram （Vigna mungo L.） cv. ＂Sarada＂, soybean （Glycine max L. Merril） cv. ＂PK 327＂ and peanut （Arachis hypogaea L.） cv. ＂JL 24＂, were tested in monoculture as well as in intercropping situations with 1：1 （additive series） and 1：2 ratios （replacement series）. The result indicated that intercropped legumes improved the yield components of maize and offered some bonus yield. The highest maize grain yield （2,916.28 kg/ha） and maize equivalent yield （4,831.45 kg/ha） were recorded with maize ＋ green gram （1：1） and maize ＋ peanut （1：I）, respectively. The values of all the competition functions were always greater than unity and maize ＋ black gram （1：2） recorded the highest values of land equivalent ratio （1.433）, area time equivalent ratio （1.374） and land equivalent coefficient （0.421）. Maximum monetary advantage （Rs. 10,579.13） was found with maize ＋ green gam （l：1）. Maize ＋ peanut （1：2） combination recorded the highest relative net return （2.01）, net return （Rs. 28,523.08）, benefit-cost ratio （2.76） ad per day return （Rs. 259.30）.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD0300202)the Science and Technology Project of Yunna, China (2017YN07)the Science and Technology Major Project of Inner Mongolia, China (2019ZD024 and 2020GG0038)
文摘Root architecture,which determines the water and nutrient uptake ability of crops,is highly plastic in response to soil environmental changes and different cultivation patterns.Root phenotyping for field-grown crops,especially topological trait extraction,is rarely performed.In this study,an image-based semi-automatic root phenotyping method for field-grown crops was developed.The method consisted of image acquisition,image denoising and segmentation,trait extraction and data analysis.Five global traits and 40 local traits were extracted with this method.A good consistency in 1st-order lateral root branching was observed between the visually counted values and the values extracted using the developed method,with R^(2)=0.97.Using the method,we found that the interspecific advantages for maize mainly occurred within 5 cm from the root base in the nodal roots of the 5th-7th nodes,and that the obvious inhibition of soybean was mostly reflected within 20 cm from the root base.Our study provides a novel approach with high-throughput and high-accuracy for field research on root morphology and branching features.It could be applied to the 3D reconstruction of field-grown root system architecture to improve the inputs to data-driven models(e.g.,OpenSimRoot)that simulate root growth,solute transport and water uptake.
