Influence the status of soil chemical and biological properties by intercropping (original) (raw)
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Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 2016
This study has been carried out through an experiment conducted at El-Giza Agricultural Research Station to examine the short-term effects (3 years) of two cropping patterns-based on intercropping system and N fertilization on quantifying of crop& soil carbon sequestration and soil carbon dioxide emissions targeting to test the ability of this management to mitigate global warming which produced from increased concentration of atmospheric CO 2 which would essentially reflect upon climate change mitigation .Also, the impact of soil temperature and moisture changes as factors affected such emissions have put into consideration. The first intercropping pattern has been sunflower/cowpea (Helianthusannuus, va.Sakha, 53/Vigna unguiculata. local).Second intercropping pattern has been wheat/peas (Triticum aestivum L va, Sakha 94/Pisum sativum Lva, Master b.).The first intercropping pattern has been arranged in 2:2,2:3 rows of sunflower: cowpea, sole sunflower and sole cowpea (4 configurations) while the 3: 2,5:2 rows of wheat: peas , sole peas and sole wheat (4 configurations) have been done for the second pattern. The N-fertilizers have been urea and ureaform (slow release nitrogen fertilizer); in rate of 60kg N fed-1 for sunflower/cowpea intercrop,110 kg N fed-1 for wheat/peas intercrop, 30 kg N fed-1 forsole sunflower and 30 kg N fed-1 for sole cowpea from urea added for every season.100kg N fed-1 for sunflower/cowpea intercrop,50kgN fed-1 for sole sunflower and 50kgN fed-1 for sole cowpea from ureaform added for every two seasons. Wheat/peas intercrop; sole wheat and sole peas (in second season) have not been taken N-fertilizer but grown on the residual ureaform-N. Soil CO 2 emissions have been weekly measured from October 3 rd , 2010 to May 9 th , 2013, us ingstatic chamber technique. Such emissions have been absorbed through NaOH followed by HCl titration. Also, soil temperature and moisture have been weekly recorded. Soil sampling after harvest has been taken to determine some physical and chemical properties. After three years of practicing this management, the results indicate that, under the conditions of this experiment, soil temperature varied between 12and 45Cº at 5 cm depth, soil moisture varied between 2 and 55% at the same depth. Statistically, they have shown no or poor correlations with soil emitted-CO 2 .The quantities of soil-CO 2 emitted from irrigated plot treatments and determined in summer seasons have been higher than those of non-irrigated ones and those determined in winter seasons. Intercrops patterns and UF fertilizer have been contributed to obtain a lower emitted CO 2 quantities from soil compared to sole crops patterns and urea fertilizer. The obtained yield from intercrops patterns treatments and UF fertilizer have been higher than those of sole crops patterns ones and urea fertilizer. Intercrops patterns and UF fertilizer have been found to be efficient in increasing sequestered carbon either in crop biomass or in soil; the crop sequestered-C relative increase for intercrops to sole crops values have seasonally varied between 42.06 and 77.75% for sunflower /cowpea intercrops and between-12.01 and 0.46% for wheat/peas ones. The crop sequestered-C relative increase for UF to urea values have varied between 6.78 and 10.51%under sunflower/cowpea intercrops and between14.60 and30.05 % under wheat/ peas ones. ..Regarding soil sequestered carbon over 3 years ,sequestered-C relative increase for intercrops to sole crops has amounted 5.83% and for UF to urea amounted 47.08%.The marked gradual improvement in soil organic matter content, EC, pH, BD, available-N, stable aggregates% and porosity have positively reflected on changes in the soil sequestered carbon quantities.
Potentials of Intercropping Systems to Soil -Water -Plant-Atmosphere
Agricultural Science;, 2020
A well planned intercropping system can efficiently serve as alternative to input such as fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides and pathogenicides. The interaction between the intercrop species, soil and environmental factors have positive effects on crop nutrition and photosynthesis and these have improved the nutrient content of the soil and different intercrop components. The high percentage ability of the intercrop species to suppress weeds especially when legume crops are involved in the plan, improves the physicochemical properties of the soil, contributes to the health of the intercrop species as the intercrop promotes the synthesis of allelopathic compounds and phenolic compounds such as anthocyanins and flavonoids which may serve as a deterrent to diseases and pests and improve the quality of the intercrop plants. Due to its inherent biological, biochemical and physiochemical properties intercropping system may be used to promote sustainable crop production and for safe management and costeffective agricultural activities.
European Journal of Soil Biology, 2017
The beneficial effect of intercropping system under low phosphorus (P) conditions has already been reported in previous works. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that intercropping (common bean-maize) in P-deficient soil can enhance the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks from the microbial biomass (MB). The field experiment was conducted in Setif province in a northern Algerian agroecosystem with a Mediterranean climate. The nodule N storage in intercropped common bean was 60% higher than for sole crops and was highest in a P-deficient soil in the second year. The carbon stock from the microbial biomass of the soil (MBC) was higher with intercropping than for sole crops and fallow and was even higher in P-deficient (23%) soils as compared to P sufficient (17%) conditions. There was a strong correlation between C stock from nodule (NC) and MBC stock for intercropping in either Pdeficient (r 2 ¼ 0.80***; p < 0.001) or P-sufficient soils (r 2 ¼ 0.69**; p < 0.01). P-deficient conditions gave the highest total soil respiration (1.68 g C-CO 2 m À2 days À1) and the lowest MB C:N ratio (10.3 and 12.2 for common bean and maize, respectively) in intercrops system. This study showed that, in a P-deficient soil, intercropping is a good solution for increasing the rhizosphere MB through C and N partitioning between root nodules and rhizosphere microbial community, which is responsible for improving soil fertility and recycle mineral elements.
Enhancing Soil Fertility through Intercropping, Inoculation and Fertilizer
Abstract. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of intercropping grass (Panicum maximum) and legumes (Vicia sativa and cowpeas) alone or coupled with inoculation or fertilizer on soil fertility. The study comprised of two field experiments conducted under rain fed conditions for two years (June, 2005 to September, 2007) at National Agriculture Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan. In one experiment intercropping (33, 50 and 67%) of grass and legumes alone as well as coupled with seed inoculation were studied while, same set of treatments was combined with fertilizer application at the rates of 25, 75 and 50 kg/ha (N, P2O5 and K2O) in the second experiment. Total soil N increased by 0.008% due to symbiotic fixation in addition to plant uptake under best treatment when compared with grass alone while, soil organic matter increased by 0.19%. After crop harvest soil N content was determined to be higher in all the treatments of the experiment compared with growing grass alone. Legumes caused rhizobial N fixation that caused an increase in soil N. Similarly, intercropping and inoculation increased this soil characteristic that was found to be non-significant in the first crop but later on became significant, especially when intercropping of grass with legumes after seed inoculation was investigated or fertilizer was supplemented to the crops. Thus, not only grass used the symbiotically fixed N by companion legumes but also enhanced the soil N content. The effect of fertilizer was not measurable statistically in case of soil organic matter. This parameter, in general, was not affected significantly when assessed after first crop harvest. Nevertheless, legumes alone or intercropped within grass increased this important soil constituent. Inoculation proved further beneficial in this regard but combination of intercropping (especially 67%) either with seed inoculation or application of fertilizer was found as the best technique for increasing soil organic matter. Keywords: soil fertility, Panicum maximum, forage legumes , intercropping, inoculation, fertilizer application
Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2017
Two field trials were carried out at Mallawi Agric. Res. Sta. (Middle Egypt) during 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons to evaluate the effect of different intercropping patterns of two legume crops with wheat under three mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels on soil bacterial activity, yields of intercropped crops and its quality. A split plot design with three replications was used. Main plots were devoted for N fertilizer levels (60, 75 and 90 kg N fed-1). The intercropping patterns (100% wheat + 20% faba bean, 100% wheat + 30% faba bean, 100% wheat + 40% faba bean, 100% wheat + 20% fahl berseem, 100% wheat + 30% fahl berseem and 100% wheat + 40% fahl berseem) were allocated in sub-plots, in addition to sole cultures of wheat, fahl berseem and faba bean. Available soil content of NPK and organic matter , seed yield and its qualities of legume crops except fahl berseem were significantly increased by N levels application, intercropping patterns, and their interactions. The highest values of the studied traits were obtained with 90 kg N fed-1 × 100 % wheat + 40 % faba bean compared to the other treatments. Biological properties and wheat traits were significantly affected by mineral N fertilizer levels, intercropping patterns and their interaction. Increasing N fertilizer level from 60 to 75 kg N fed-1 increased all the previous traits, (P≤0.05). Meanwhile the least values of the biological soil properties and wheat traits, except spike length and 1000-kernel weight were obtained by increasing N fertilizer level to 90 kg N fed-1 Land equivalent ratio values were greater than one, which indicate increasing the land productivity per unit area. The highest values were obtained by (1.33) under intercropping pattern 100% wheat + 20.0% faba bean that received 75 kg N fed-1. Wheat crop was more competitive than fahl berseem or faba bean indicating the dominance of wheat on fahl berseem or faba bean. The highest net return was achieved by intercropping patterns 100% wheat + 20% faba bean or 100% wheat + 20% fahl berseem that received 75 kg N fed-1 increased net return of farmers by L.E. 2553 and 2488 per fad, respectively, over those of sole wheat. Application of 75 kg N fed-1 with the lowest number of plants of intercropped legumes achieved high quality of all the tested crops. Simple correlation was also studied the relationships between soil nitrogen and soil microbial content traits as well as, between spikes m-2 and its components traits
Mechanisms underlying cereal/legume intercropping as nature-based biofortification: A review
Springer , 2022
The deficiencies of micronutrients known as hidden hunger are severely affecting more than one-half of the world's population, which is highly related to low bioavailability of micronutrients, poor quality diets, and consumption of cereal-based foods in developing countries. Although numerous experiments proved biofortification as a paramount approach for improving hidden hunger around the world, its effectiveness is highly related to various soil factors, climate conditions, and the adoption rates of biofortified crops. Furthermore, agronomic biofortification may result in the sedimentation of heavy metals in the soil that pose another detrimental effect on plants and human health. In response to these challenges, several studies suggested intercropping as one of the feasible, eco-friendly, low-cost, and short-term approaches for improving the nutritional quality and yield of crops sustainable way. Besides, it is the cornerstone of climate-smart agriculture and the holistic solution for the most vulnerable area to solve malnutrition that disturbs human healthy catastrophically. Nevertheless, there is meager information on mechanisms and processes related to soil-plant interspecific interactions that lead to an increment of nutrients bioavailability to tackle the crisis of micronutrient deficiency in a nature-based solution. In this regard, this review tempted to (1) explore mechanisms and processes that can favor the bioavailability of Zn, Fe, P, etc. in soil and edible parts of crops, (2) synthesize available information on the benefits and synergic role of the intercropping system in food and nutritional security, and (3) outline the bottlenecks influencing the effectiveness of biofortification for promoting sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Based on this review SSA countries are malnourished due to limited access to diverse diets, supplementation, and commercially fortified food; hence, I suggest integrated research by agronomists, plant nutritionists, and agroecologist to intensify and utilize intercropping systems as biofortification sustainably alleviating micronutrient deficiencies.
RUDN Journal of Agronomy and Animal Industries
The positive effect of intercropping under low phosphorus (P) conditions has already been reported in previous works. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that intercropping (common bean-maize) in P deficient soil, can enrich carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) of the microbial biomass (MB) through a transfer from root nodules of the plant and rhizospheric microbial flora in a field located in "Setif region" in northern Algerian agroecosystem(Mediterranean climate). The rate of nodular N sequestered in intercropped common bean was higher compared to sole crops and fallow. However, under intercropped and low P conditions, the rate of nodular N sequestered is highest over two years. Carbon of the microbial biomass (MB-C) is higher in the intercropping compared to sole crops and fallow but it is even higher in P deficient soil. Moreover, a strong correlation is established between nodular C and MB in intercropping under low P conditions. In these same conditions, the total soil respiration was the highest and the lowest C:N ratio of MB was recorded. These results showed that in low P soil, intercropping is a good solution to enhance the rhizospheric MB that can fertilize the soil and recycle mineral elements.
European Journal of Agronomy, 2020
Grain legumes are known for their benefits to deliver ecosystem services on provisioning of protein-rich food and feed, reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the symbiotic nitrogen fixation function and diversification of cropping systems. Intercropping is an agroecological practice in which two or more crop species are grown simultaneously in the same field, thereby maximizing the use of resources to enhance yields in low input systems and the resilience of cropping systems. We quantified the effect of grain legume-cereal intercropping on the use of N resources in temperate agroecosystems, focusing on dinitrogen (N 2) fixation and soil-derived nitrogen acquisition using a meta-analysis of 29 field-scale studies. We estimated and compared effects of different intercrop compositions (proportion of each species in the intercrops), fertilization rates, crop species, soil properties, and other management practices on the symbiotic N 2 fixation and the acquisition of soil-derived nitrogen by the cereals and grain legumes. The proportion of N derived from N 2 fixation was on average 14 % (95 % CI = [11, 16]) higher in intercropped grain legumes (76 %) compared to legume sole crops (66 %). On the other hand, intercropping reduced the amount of N 2 fixed (kg ha −1) by about 15 %, when N 2 fixation in inter-and sole cropped legumes was expressed at equivalent density by compensating for the sown legume proportion in intercrops relative to their sole crop sowing rate. The results were mainly influenced by the intercrop composition, legumes species and the method used to quantify N 2 fixation. Soil-derived nitrogen acquisition in intercropped grain legumes was significantly reduced (−47 %, 95 % CI = [−56, −36]) compared to sole crop legumes, expressed at equivalent density, while the soil N acquired by intercropped cereals was much higher (+61 %, 95 % CI = [24, 108]) than in sole crop cereals. Total soil N acquisition (legume + cereal) was significantly higher in intercrops than in legume sole crops (+25 %, 95 % CI = [1, 54]), while there was no significant difference between intercrops and cereal sole crops. The meta-analysis confirms and highlights that intercropping consistently stimulates complementary N use between legumes and cereals by increasing N 2 fixation by grain legumes and increasing soil N acquisition in cereals. Based on the results of this analysis it would be suggested that cropping systems diversification via intercropping can be used for simultaneous production of both cereals and grain legumes, while increasing the use of N-sources and reducing external inputs of N fertilizers, thereby enhancing the sustainability of agriculture.
The Argentine Pampa is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, but sole crop management practices have led to soil degradation and losses of soil organic matter. The objective of this study was to evaluate soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) dynamics in 2007 and in 2012 in two intercrop systems [1:2 intercrop (one row of maize (Zea mays L.) and two rows of soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.)) and 2:3 intercrop (two rows of maize and three rows of soybean)], and in a maize and soybean sole crop. Results showed that C and N input from crop residues was significantly greater (P b 0.05) in the maize sole crop, followed by the intercrops and the soybean sole crop. The land equivalent ratio (LER), based on crop biomass, was significantly greater (P b 0.05) in the 2:3 intercrop. Soil physical and chemical characteristics (bulk density, pH, SOC and N, C/N ratio) were not significantly (P b 0.05) different among treatments and were significantly greater in 2012, except for pH, at all depths. Gross SOC turnover time was significantly longer (P b 0.05) in 2012 compared to 2007 for all treatments and depths, except in the maize sole crop. Soil microbial biomass (SMB) C and N were significantly greater (P b 0.05) in the 2:3 intercrop in both years. To a 40 cm depth, SMB-C turnover time (SMB-C T) was significantly greater (P b 0.05) in the soybean sole crop followed by the intercrops and the maize sole crop in 2007, whereas in 2012, SMB-C T was significantly greater (P b 0.05) in the intercrops followed by the soybean and the maize sole crops. The soil light fraction N (LF-N) was significantly greater (P b 0.05) in the maize sole crop in both years. There was no significant difference (P b 0.05) for LF-C. Our results demonstrated that cereal–legume intercropping is a more sustainable agroecosystem land management practice in the Argentine Pampa, with respect to soil C and N transformations, compared to sole cropping.
2016
Intercropping of cereal and legume can improve the use of resources for crop growth compared to cropping system. An increase in soil phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) acquisition by root-induced biochemical changes of intercropped species has been reported as key processes of facilitation and complementarily between both intercropping legumes and cereals. Indeed, the functional facilitation prevails over interspecific competition under nutrients limiting for crop growth. Results showed that P availability significantly increased in the rhizosphere of both species, especially in intercropping under the P-deficient soil conditions. This increase was associated with high efficiency efficiency in use of rhizobial, plant growth and resource use efficiency as indicated by higher land equivalent ratio (LER) and N nutrition index. In addition, the rhizosphere P availability and nodule biomass were positively correlated (r2 = 0.71**, and r2 = 0.62**) in the intercropped common bean grown at P-...