Optimum strip width increases dry matter, nutrient accumulation, and seed yield of intercrops under the relay intercropping system. (4th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raza, Muhammad Ali; Feng, Ling Yang; van der Werf, Wopke; Iqbal, Nasir; Khan, Imran; Khan, Ahsin; Din, Atta Mohi Ud; Naeem, Muhammd; Meraj, Tehseen Ahmad; Hassan, Muhammad Jawad; Khan, Aaqil; Lu, Feng Zhi; Liu, Xin; Ahmed, Mukhtar; Yang, Feng; Yang, Wenyu
• Is Part Of: Food and energy security. Volume 9:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-04-04
• Subjects: competition ratio -- growing space -- maize -- relay intercropping -- soybean; Climatic changes -- Periodicals; Crop improvement -- Periodicals; Food security -- Periodicals; Energy security -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; 333.9505
• DOI: 10.1002/fes3.199
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2048-3694

Abstract

Abstract: Strip width management is a critical factor for producing higher crop yields in relay intercropping systems. A 2‐year field experiment was carried out during 2012 and 2013 to evaluate the effects of different strip width treatments on dry‐matter production, major‐nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) uptake, and competition parameters of soybean and maize in relay intercropping system. The strip width (SW) treatments were 0.40, 0.40, and 0.40 m (SW1); 0.40, 0.40, and 0.50 m (SW2); 0.40, 0.40, and 0.60 m (SW3); and 0.40, 0.40, and 0.70 m (SW4) for soybean row spacing, maize row spacing, and spacing between soybean and maize rows, respectively. As compared to sole maize (SM) and sole soybean (SS), relay‐intercropped maize and soybean accumulated lower quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in all treatments. However, maize in SW1 accumulated higher nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium than SW4 (9%, 9%, and 8% for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively). Soybean in SW3 accumulated 25% higher nitrogen, 33% higher phosphorus, and 24% higher potassium than in SW1. The improved nutrient accumulation in SW3 significantly increased the soybean dry matter by 19%, but slightly decreased the maize dry matter by 6% compared to SW1. Similarly, SW3 increased the competition ratio value of soybean (by 151%), but it reduced the competition ratio value of maize (by 171%) compared to SW1. On average, in SW3, relay‐cropped soybean produced 84% of SS seed yield and maize produced 98% of SM seed yield and achieved the land equivalent ratio of 1.8, demonstrating the highest level in the world. Overall, these results suggested that by selecting the appropriate strip width (SW3; 0.40 m for soybean row spacing, 0.40 m maize row spacing, and 0.60 m spacing between soybean and maize rows), we can increase the nutrient uptake (especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), dry‐matter accumulation, and seed yields of relay‐intercrop species under relay intercropping systems. Abstract : Strip width management is a critical factor for producing higher crop yields in relay intercropping systems. Results of this study suggested that by selecting the appropriate strip width, we can increase the nutrient uptake (especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), dry matter accumulation, and seed yields of relay‐intercrop species under relay intercropping systems.