Economic and Biological Benefits of Intercropping Berseem Clover with Oat in Corn-Soybean-Oat Rotations

Abstract

Sustainability of Iowa agriculture may require change from predominantly a corn (Zea muys L.)‐soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation to more diverse cropping systems. Alternative crops are vital for providing temporal diversity. Reincorporating small grains into a three‐crop rotation with corn and soybean can provide greater temporal diversity, especially if a forage legume is included as a companion crop. A field study was established in 1991 on a Kenyon (fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Mapludoll) soil to evaluate the economic and biological benefits of an oat (Avena sativa L.) crop under‐seeded with berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) in a three croprotation. Two rotation treatments were compared: (i) corn‐soybean‐oat and (ii) corn‐soybean‐oat intercropped with berseem clover. In 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995, oat grain yield was not significantly changed when berseem clover was underseeded with the oat crop. However, in 5 yr, oat under‐seeded with berseem clover produced up to 70% more biomass (harvested material without the grain) than sole‐crop oat straw. The biomass (40% oat straw and 60% berseem clover forage) also had adequate digestible material (51%) to be considered as low quality forage. Berseem clover regrowth after oat grain harvest produced an average 1.2 tons/acre of forage, which could have been harvested for hay or left in the field as green manure. During this trial, berseem clover regrowth was left as groundcover and green manure, which contributed an average of 39 lb N/acre to the succeeding corn crop. Corn grain yields following berseem clover were 10% higher over the trial period. Soybean grain yields were the same for both treatments. Intercropping berseem clover with oat returned an average of %39/acre more than sole‐crop oat. This study demonstrated both economic and biological advantages for more diverse cropping practices. Research Question Alternative crops are vital for providing diversity and enhancing sustainability. In Iowa, approximately 78% of the 27 million harvested acres are managed with an annual corn and soybean production. Inclusion of oat as third crop in rotations has been unpopular, largely because of low grain market value and the high year‐to‐year variability in grain yield. However, oat allows inclusion of a forage legume as a companion crop, which may improve profitability. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the economic and biological benefits of an oat crop underseeded with berseem clover in two crop‐rotation systems. Literature Summary Increased corn and soybean production throughout the Midwest has decreased crop diversity, contributed to significant environmental problems, and limited opportunities to integrate livestock into the cropping system. Inclusion of an alternative small grain as a third crop can significantly improve soil productivity. Research in Minnesota indicated that total production increased when a small graidegume is added to a corn‐soybean rotation. Legume cover crops may also contribute N to the subsequent crop, reducing the...

Determination of Effective Spatial Arrangement for Intercropping of Maize (Zea mays L.) and Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Using Competition Indices Ethiopia

“…To calculate the IER market price or gross income (GI) obtained from intercropping a hectare of land were used. It was calculated by the formula developed by Ghaffarzadeh M [21]: IER = GI/ha of intercropped maize + GI/ha of intercropped potato GI/ha of sole cropped maize GI/ha of sole cropped potato (5) …”

Grain yield and agronomic traits in soybean according to crop rotation systems

“…In the work of Ruedell (1995), in the comparison within each soil management: no tillage (3,196 and 2,821 kg ha -1 ) or conventional tillage with disk harrow, twice (2,911 and 2,795 kg ha -1 ), soybean grown after crop rotation was higher for grain yield in relation to monoculture soybean, respectively. Ghaffarzadeh (1997) and Yusuf et al (1999) compared crop rotation systems in the set of years, and found no significant difference for soybean yield. Pedersen and Lauer (2003) worked with types of management and crop rotation in soybean, and observed that, when this legume was grown in crop rotation (3,900 to 4,300 kg ha -1 ), yielded more than monoculture (3,800 kg ha -1 ) over a period of four years.…”

Rendimento de grãos de soja em função de diferentes sistemas de manejo de solo e de rotação de culturas

“…SANTOS et al (1998) Para alguns trabalhos elaborados a partir de ensaios conduzidos sob distintos sistemas de manejo de solo e sob rotação de culturas, não foi efetuada avaliação da média geral dos resultados para rendimento de grãos de soja (GAUDÊNCIO et al, 1986;EDWARDS et al, 1988;LANGDALE et al, 1990;RUEDELL, 1995). Para outros trabalhos, nos quais foram avaliadas rotações de culturas, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as médias do rendimento de grãos de soja (SANTOS et al, 1995;GHAFFARZADEH, 1997;YUSUF et al, 1999). Todavia, PEDERSEN & LAUER (2003) encontraram diferenças tanto para sistemas de manejo de solo como para rotações de culturas.…”

“…Nos trabalhos encontrados até a metade da década de 90, não havia análise conjunta dos anos sobre rendimento de grãos de milho, soja, sorgo e trigo, sob diferentes sistemas de manejo de solo (SIDIRAS et al, 1983;EDWARDS et al, 1988;LANGDALE et al, 1990;RUEDELL, 1995). Porém, nos trabalhos publicados posteriormente, por SANTOS et al (1995), por GHAFFARZADEH (1997), por YUSUF et al (1999, por KLUTHCOUSKI et al (2000) e por PAULETTI et al (2003), não foi verificada diferença significativa entre os sistemas de manejo de solo para rendimento de grãos de aveia branca, cevada, milho e soja Além disso, poucos são os trabalhos envolvendo análise conjunta de sistemas de manejo de solo e rotação de culturas na região Sul do Brasil. GAUDÊNCIO et al (1986), EDWARDS et al (1988), LANGDALE et al (1990), RUEDELL (1995) e CIOTTA et al (2002 estudaram sistemas de rotação de culturas, porém sem a análise conjunta dos anos para rendimento de grãos de soja.…”

“…GAUDÊNCIO et al (1986), EDWARDS et al (1988), LANGDALE et al (1990), RUEDELL (1995) e CIOTTA et al (2002 estudaram sistemas de rotação de culturas, porém sem a análise conjunta dos anos para rendimento de grãos de soja. SANTOS et al (1995), GHAFFARZADEH (1997) e YUSUF et al (1999, comparando sistemas de rotação de culturas, no conjunto de anos, porém, não observaram diferença significativa para rendimento de grãos de soja.…”