• Authors:
    • Obi, M.
    • Obalum, S.
  • Source: Soil & Tillage Research
  • Volume: 108
  • Issue: 1/2
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Evaluation of the impact of tillage-mulch practices under different cropping systems on soil physical properties is needed in southeastern Nigeria to identify those combinations with the potential of alleviating the physical constraints of the Ultisols predominant in the area. An investigation was carried out on a sandy loam soil at Nsukka to determine the effects of no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) each with bare fallow (B) and mulch cover (M) on soil physical properties under three cropping systems [sole sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), sole soybean ( Glycine max L. Merrill), and sorghum-soybean intercrop]. The layout was a split-plot in randomized complete block design, with the tillage systems as the main plots and the mulch practices as the sub-plots. The treatments [no-till and bare (NTB), no-till with mulch (NTM), conventional tillage and bare (CTB) and conventional tillage with mulch (CTM)] were replicated four times. The selected key parameters evaluated after two years were density of earthworm casts, soil organic matter (SOM), bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), pore size distribution (PSD), mean weight diameter (MWD), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (K sat). Earthworm activity was significantly ( P≤0.001) higher with NT under the intercrop system. Values were generally very low for SOM (1.06-1.48%), moderate for BD (1.34-1.51 Mg m -3) and TP (46-52%), and low to moderate for MWD (1.1-2.9 mm). The K sat was within the slow to rapid range (8.1-57.0 cm h -1). Neither the tillage nor the mulch factors influenced SOM, BD, PSD, and MWD in the cropping systems. The TP was significantly ( P≤0.05) higher in the CT compared to the NT under the sole sorghum, where interaction showed higher value in the CTM compared to the rest. There was significant ( P≤0.05) enhancement of K sat in the CT under the sole sorghum and the intercrop systems; whereas the value was significantly ( P≤0.01) higher in the bare fallow under the sole soybean. The cropping systems had more pronounced effect on the physical properties than the tillage-mulch management practices. All the measured parameters indicated significant ( P≤0.05) improvements under the sole soybean, except BD and MWD which were significantly ( P≤0.05) improved under the intercrop. Intercropping cereals and legumes on NT may be ideal for alleviating the soil's structural constraints.
  • Authors:
    • Ossom, E.
  • Source: International Journal of Agriculture and Biology
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Sweet potato is a major root storage crop in Swaziland, whereas maize ( Zea mays L.) is the staple food crop in Swaziland. In this experiment, sweet potato cv. Kenya was grown in the field and intercropped with maize cv. SC 603 with the objective of determining the effects of crop association on soil temperature, weed infestation and crop yields. Five plant population treatments (T) were investigated: T 1, Maize alone at 40,000 plants/ha; T 2, sweetpotato alone at 33,333 plants/ha; T 3, maize at 40,000 plants/ha, intercropped with sweetpotato at 33,333 plants/ha; T 4, maize at 40,000 plants/ha, intercropped with sweet potato at 16,666 plants/ha and T 5, sweet potato alone at 16,666 plants/ha. Soil surface temperatures were generally higher than temperatures at 10 cm depth; nonetheless there were no significant differences in soil temperatures among the cropping systems. The three most dominant weed species in all plots were Bidens pilosa L. (37.5-59.3% relative abundance), followed by Cynodon dactylon L. (15.7-43.6%) and Oxalis latifolia (7.1-18.7%). Sida rhombifolia (0-0.4%); Schkuhria pinnata (0-0.4%) and Leucas martinicensis (0-0.4%) were the three least abundant weed species. Land equivalent ratio (LER) values indicated that Sweet potato-maize mixture at the recommended sole sweet potato population (33,333 plants per hectare) was a better cropping system (LER, 0.77) than intercropping at 50% of the recommended Sweet potato (LER, 0.74). Correlation data showed that maize cob yield was not significantly correlated to the 100-grain mass (r=0.508; R 2=0.2581; N, 12); the resultant correlation of determination showed that 25.8% in the variation in cob yield could be ascribed to 100-grain mass. In sweet potato, correlation data showed that the number of tubers per plant was positively correlated to tuber yield ha -1 (r=0.676; R 2=0.4570; N, 16); from the co-efficient of determination, 45.7% of tuber yield could be associated with the number of tubers per plant. In conclusion, sweet potato monocropping was the best system; nonetheless, if it has to be intercropped with maize, there should be 33,333 and 40,000 plants ha -1 of sweet potato and maize, respectively.
  • Authors:
    • Krolikowska, M.
    • Gasiorowska, B.
    • Ceglarek, F.
    • Paza, A.
    • Prochnicka, M.
  • Source: Biuletyn Instytutu Hodowli i Aklimatyzacji Roslin
  • Issue: 257/258
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The paper presents the results of investigations carried out in 2003-2006 aimed to assess the influence of intercrops, stubble catch crops and spring barley straw on some chemical constituents of potato tubers. The experiment included: I. Intercrop fertilization: control object (without intercrop fertilization), farmyard manure, undersown crop (birdsfoot trefoil, birdsfoot trefoil+Italian ryegrass), stubble catch crop (oil radish) and II. Straw fertilization: without straw, with straw. Plants of potato table cultivar Fianna were cultivated in the first year after organic fertilization. In the collected samples of tubers contents of the following constituents were measured: starch, reducing sugar, total sugar and total protein. The results indicated that intercrop fertilization significantly influenced the contents of the all the four constituents, whereas straw fertilization only affected the contents of starch and total protein. The highest starch content characterized the potatoes fertilized with the mixture of birdsfoot trefoil with Italian ryegrass, or with oil radish, both in combinations with or without straw. The highest content of total protein was found in the potatoes fertilized with birdsfoot trefoil alone or in combination with straw. The lowest content of reducing sugars and of total sugar was recorded with potatoes fertilized with the mixture of birdsfoot trefoil with Italian ryegrass with or without the addition of straw.
  • Authors:
    • Ceglarek, F.
    • Paza, A.
    • Krolikowska, M.
  • Source: Journal of Central European Agriculture
  • Volume: 11
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The paper presents the results of research carried out over 1999-2002 with the aims to determine the influence of intercrops and farmyard manure fertilization on consumption value of potato tubers in changeable weather conditions. The following combinations of intercrops fertilization were taken into account: the control plot (without intercrop fertilization), farmyard manure, undersown crop (birdsfoot trefoil, birdsfoot trefoil+Italian ryegrass, Italian ryegrass), stubble crop (oleiferous radish, oleiferous radish - mulch). The results pointed that, the conditions of vegetation period, significantly modified the consumption values of potato tubers. The consumption value of potato tubers which were fertilized with intercrops was formed on approximated level, as the potato which was fertilized with farmyard manure. The best consumption features, especially taste, had potatoes which were fertilized with birdsfoot trefoil and with the mixture of birdsfoot trefoil and Italian ryegrass.
  • Authors:
    • Soszynski, J.
    • Paza, A.
  • Source: Folia Pomeranae Universitatis Technologiae Stetinensis, Agricultura, Alimentaria, Piscaria et Zootechnica
  • Volume: 276
  • Issue: 13
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The paper presents the results of researches carried out over 2001-2005 which aimed at describing the sequent impact of undersown crops which were plowed down in autumn, stubble catch crops plowed down in autumn and left in the form of mulch till spring on yielding of winter triticale. The following combinations of intercrops were taken into account: control object (without intercrop), undersown crop - biomass plowed down in autumn (red clever, red clover+Italian ryegrass, Italian ryegrass), stubble catch crop - biomass plowed down in autumn (white mustard), stubble catch crop - biomass left in the form of mulch till spring (white mustard). Undersown crops were sown into spring barley which was cultivated on grain, and stubble catch crops were sown after its harvest. In the first year after catch crops applying the table potatoes were cultivated, in the second year winter triticale was cultivated. The results pointed that, catch crops with exception of red clover inserted into the soil the similar number of biomass. The highest number of nitrogen and phosphorus was supplied by red clover and by the mixtures of red clover with Italian ryegrass, the highest number of potassium was supplied by white mustard, the highest number of calcium was supplied by red clover, the mixtures of red clover with Italian ryegrass and white mustard, the highest number of magnesium was supplied by red clover. The conditions of the growing season significantly modified the yield of winter triticale. The highest grain yield and total protein from grain were achieved from the object where under the forecrop of winter triticale the mixtures of red clover with Italian ryegrass and Italian ryegrass were plowed down.
  • Authors:
    • Harbaoui, Y.
    • Jeddi, F.
    • Sahli, A.
    • Rezig, M.
  • Source: Options Mediterraneennes. Serie A, Seminaires Mediterraneens
  • Issue: 95
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The adoption of intercropping systems in the irrigated perimeters can constitute an "agronomic way" to increase the added value by used m 3 of water. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of intercropping potatoes with green bean compared to monoculture potatoes. Intercropped potatoes showed no significant reduction in yield when compared to monoculture potatoes. Green beans yields were reduced when concurrently intercropped. The relative yield total (RYT), a measure of intercropping productivity, was 1.55 indicating that it would require 55% more land for separate monoculture plantings of potatoes and beans to produce a yield equivalent to the intercropping system. On the other hand, the intercropping system engendered an increase in the water and in the radiation use efficiencies (WUE MST and RUE MST) from 8.69 kg/m 3 to 10.15 kg/m 3 and from 4.47 g/MJ to 4.77 g/MJ, respectively. Finally, a linear relation between the accumulated absorbed radiation and the accumulated evapotranspiration was able to be revealed. Intercropping potatoes with green beans increases output per unit area and enables growers to take full advantage of the available natural resources.
  • Authors:
    • Prakash, H.
    • Dabbas, M.
    • Singh, R.
    • Singh, D.
  • Source: International Journal of Agricultural Sciences
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The study was carried out during 1997-98 to 2003-04 under Diversified Agricultural Support Project-a-World Bank Funded Project of Uttar Pradesh. The objective of this study was to increase the income and improve the cash flow system of small-marginal farmers, residing in the vicinity of town and urban. The pilot area was selected at Kaimganj in Farrukhabad district, having sandy loam to loam soils and maximum area cover with plantation crops viz., mango, ber and guava. Five to seven year old mango fields were selected for two tier cropping system. The alleys of mango tree intercropped with important vegetable crops like potato, brinjal, pumpkin, vegetable pea, garlic and onion, because the local market is available for the disposal of these vegetable crops. Generally, farmers planted Dashari mango at the distance of 8*8 m in rows. The associated crop of potato planted at the distance of 50 cm apart on 12 ridges between two rows of mango and adjusted 75% plant stand. Onion planted in 40 rows at 15 cm apart in the interspaces of two rows of mango and 75% plant stand was adjusted. Three rows of pumpkin were planted between two rows of mango at 200*50*75 cm apart and adjusted 75% plant population. Vegetable pea planted in 20 rows at 30 cm apart between two rows of mango and plant stand was adjusted 75%. Brinjal planted at 60 cm apart in 10 rows between two rows of mango and adjusted 72% plant population in interspaces of mango. The 75% plant stand of garlic was adjusted with plantation of 40 rows at 15 cm apart between two rows of mango. Potato, brinjal, green fruits of pumpkin, green pods of vegetable pea, garlic and onion yield 225, 218, 278, 92, 73, and 255 q/ha, respectively. The mango based cropping systems have maintained cash flow system and improved the economic status of farming community. The standards of living of small and marginal farm families scaled up and created eco-friendly environment.
  • Authors:
    • Singh, I.
    • Singh, P.
    • Yadav, D.
    • Yadav, R.
    • Singh, S.
  • Source: Experimental Agriculture
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Field experiments were conducted for the three consecutive cropping seasons of 2003-05, 2004-06 and 2005-07 at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, India, to explore the feasibility of planting sugarcane in autumn as a relay intercrop in standing rice. The cropping systems evaluated were: (i) rice-potato-spring sugarcane; (ii) rice+autumn sugarcane (planted as a relay intercrop in every sixth row devoid (skipped) of transplanted rice)+potato after rice; (iii) rice-autumn sugarcane (planted without preparatory tillage)+potato; and (iv) rice-autumn sugarcane (planted with preparatory tillage)+potato. In each case, sugarcane was planted in rows 90 cm apart. Rice was transplanted in rows at 20-cm row spacing when followed by potato or sugarcane, but at 18-cm row spacing when intended for sugarcane planting as a relay intercrop in late September. The germination (60.4%) of cane buds, tillers (323 000 ha -1) and number (149 000 ha -1), length (225 cm), girth (2.44 cm) and weight (747 g) of millable canes were markedly better when autumn sugarcane was planted with rice as a relay intercrop in comparison to other cropping systems. Similarly, this cropping system produced the maximum cane (111.4 t ha -1) and sugar (13.2 t ha -1) along with sugarcane equivalent yield (216.4 t ha -1). In turn, relay intercropping system with maximum cane production efficiency of 420 kg ha -1day -1 fetched the highest economic returns (Rs. 258 ha -1day -1) and benefit:cost ratio (1.5). Compared with the rice-potato-spring sugarcane cropping system, the relay intercrop of autumn sugarcane in standing rice produced 35.4% more cane and 38.3% more sugar with 24.1% higher returns besides 79.1% energy saving. This practice will not only benefit cane growers and sugar mill owners in tropical and sub-tropical India, but also in other parts of the world where rice and sugarcane are extensively cultivated.
  • Authors:
    • Mohd, M.
    • Tahir, S.
  • Source: Agricultural and Biological Research
  • Volume: 26
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The experiment on intercropping of potato with turnip, radish, rutabaga and kale was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Sub-Station SKUAST-K Kargil during 2006-2007 to study the agronomic and economic productivity as well as advantages of intercropping as compared to sole crops. The potato equivalent yield was found to be significantly higher when potato was intercropped with Kale (279 q/ha.) while as potato equivalent yields of all other intercrop combinations was considerably lower compared to sole potato crop (248 q/ha.). Economic analysis of sole and intercrop association indicated that potato in combination with Kale gave higher economic returns (Rs. 191500) than other intercrop combinations and sole crops.
  • Authors:
    • Hu, H. Z.
    • Ma, K.
    • Zhang, B.
    • Lan, Z. P.
    • Jiang, X. S.
  • Source: Journal of Beijing Forestry University [and International Journal of AUTOMATION AND COMPUTING 2010 32 (4): 169-174 ISSN: 1476-8186]
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: A comprehensive analysis was made on the five-year monitoring data of 11 fixed soil erosion monitoring sites of newly established cash crop tree plantations and rehabilitated bamboo forests in eight provinces or autonomous regions of China, which were constructed under the Forestry Development in Poor Area Project (FDPA) financed by the World Bank. The results show that the afforestation and cultivation operations for the cash crop tree plantations and rehabilitated bamboo forests have resulted in soil erosion, but to different degrees. Within the 11 soil erosion monitoring sites, extremely slight or slight soil erosion occurred in six sites and severe soil erosion in three sites during years of frequent and intensive rainfall or on loess hills. The occurrence of soil erosion was lighter on planting sites with broad terrace preparation than on sites with strip or hole preparation. Soil erosion occurred annually on planting sites with continuous intercropping, which showed similar soil erosion modulus. But soil erosion decreased to an extremely low level when, after four years of continuous intercropping, the intercropping stopped. Intercropping also caused relatively strong soil erosion on slope planting sites with strip or hole preparation. For the rehabilitated bamboo forests, soil erosion occurred but in small soil erosion modulus and usually occurred during the first year after rehabilitation and decreased annually with the gradual recovery of undergrowth vegetation. The bamboo shoot harvest in winter increased the occurrence of soil erosion. It is recommended that in the newly established cash crop tree plantations, the best preparation method is by broad terrace type, while avoiding strip or hole preparation. Intercropping can be used under suitable conditions in newly established cash crop tree plantations with broad terrace preparation. For the rehabilitation of low productive bamboo forests, several measures can be adopted to prevent soil erosion, i. e. digging the soil along contours, covering the ground with weeds.