Forage legumes exhibit a differential potential to compete against maize and weeds and to restore soil fertility in a maize-forage legume intercrop

Kutamahufa, Marilyn; Matare, Lincon; Soropa, Gabriel; Mashavakure, Nilton; Svotwa, Ezekia; Mashingaidze, A. B.

doi:10.1080/09064710.2021.1998593

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results for the effect of sunn hemp intercropping period (P) and plant density (D) during the two growing seasons (S) on soil fertility properties of the Plinthic Cambisol in Free State, South Africa Sunn hemp intercropping at various maize growing stages and planting densities had no effect on pH between the growing seasons (Table2). This is consistent withKutamahufa et al (2022) claim that the accumulation of different pools of organic matter during the early years of establishing interactive cropping systems is usually too low to affect fundamental soil chemical properties like pH. All the experimental plots' soils were acidic, with pH values ranging from 4.54 to 4.99.…”

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confidence: 88%

“…Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the feasibility of intercropping grain legumes like pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), groundnuts (Arachis hypogea), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in maizedominated cropping systems to improve food security (Mucheru-Muna et al 2010). Other researchers have investigated forage legume, grass, and brassica intercropping to increase the quality and quantity of biomass production for livestock feed and residual soil fertility (Hassen et al 2017;Javanmard et al 2020; Kutamahufa et al 2022). On the other hand, the latter is given low priority because living mulch growth is managed until vegetative, then terminated due to concerns that it will reduce dominant crop yield.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All the experimental plots' soils were acidic, with pH values ranging from 4.54 to 4.99. This pH range is not considered ideal for optimal nutrient availability for most crops, including maize(Kutamahufa et al 2022). However, the pH of the soil in the experimental plots with sunn hemp residue retention increased from 4.66 in 2019/2020 growing season to 4.77 in the 2020/2021 growing season (Table…”

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Short-term effects of sunn hemp intercropping management in a maize-based system on the soil fertility of a Plinthic Cambisol in Free State, South Africa

Gura

Dzvene²,

Tesfuhuney³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Intercropping is a promising strategy of improving soil fertility in no-till rainwater harvesting practices. However, the effect of intercropping forage legumes at various planting times and densities on soil fertility response under the in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) technique remains unknown in South Africa. The objective of this study was to determine the seasonal effect of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) intercropping at different planting periods and densities into maize (Zea mays L.) after two growing seasons on selected soil fertility of a Plinthic Cambisol in Free State, South Africa. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with a factorial combination replicated thrice. The factorial combination consisted of three sunn hemp plantings dates viz., at maize planting, planting at V15 maize growth stage, and R1 maize growth stage, and three sunn hemp planting densities viz., 16.1 plants m− 2, 32.1 plants m− 2, and 48.1 plants m− 2. The results showed that the interaction of sunn hemp planting date and density was significant (p < 0.05) on soil organic matter (SOM) and Zinc (Zn). The growing season had a significant impact on changes in SOM, nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). Due to the intercropping periods and planting densities, the retention of sunn hemp residues with varying quantities and qualities may have influenced the soil nutrient dynamics in the short-term. Significant changes in soil fertility may take longer, and future research should be carried out in agricultural regions with different soil mineral matrices.

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confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

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Short-term effects of sunn hemp intercropping management in a maize-based system on the soil fertility of a Plinthic Cambisol in Free State, South Africa

Gura

Dzvene²,

Tesfuhuney³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Additionally, our results are in agreement with those of Rodriguez et al [ 22 ], who reported an increase in wheat yield when intercropped with Cp over three cropping seasons, as well as other studies that have reported the benefits of cereal–legume associations on grain yield [ 16 , 17 ], who reported an increase in the yield of wheat associated with Cp compared to its sole crop. However, some previous studies have reported that LER values of less than or equal to 1.0 indicate no difference in yield between intercropped and mono-cropped species, while any value greater than 1.0 indicates a yield advantage in intercropping [ 39 , 40 ] confirmed that the LER can be used as a measure of relative yield advantage. For example, a LER value of 1.2 indicates that an area planted with a monoculture would need to be 20% larger than an area planted with an intercrop to produce the same combined yield.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential of durum wheat–chickpea intercropping to improve the soil available phosphorus status and biomass production in a subtropical climate

Souid,

Hamdi,

L’taief

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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The intercropping system is a promising approach to augmenting the soil nutrient status and promoting sustainable crop production. However, it is not known whether intercropping improves the soil phosphorus (P) status in alluvial soils with low P under subtropical climates. Over two growing seasons––2019–2020 and 2020–2021––two experimental fields were employed to explore the effect of durum wheat (Dw) and chickpea (Cp) cropping systems on the soil available P. A randomized complete block design was used in this experiment, with three blocks each divided into three plots. Each plot was used for one of the following three treatments with three replications: Dw monocrop (Dw-MC), Cp monocrop (Cp-MC), and Dw + Cp intercrop (CpDw-InC), with bulk soil (BS) used as a control. A reduction in the rhizosphere soil pH (-0.44 and -0.11 unit) was observed in the (Cp-MC) and (CpDw-InC) treatments over BS, occurring concomitantly with a significant increase in available P in the rhizosphere soil of around 28.45% for CpDw-InC and 24.9% for Cp-MC over BS. Conversely, the rhizosphere soil pH was significantly higher (+0.12 units) in the Dw-MC treatments. In addition, intercropping enhanced the soil microbial biomass P, with strong positive correlations observed between the biomass P and available P in the Cp-MC treatment, whereas this correlation was negative in the CpDw-InC and Dw-MC treatments. These findings suggested that Cp intercropped with Dw could be a viable approach in enhancing the available P through improved pH variation and biomass P when cultivated on alluvial soil under a subtropical climate.

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Effect of intercropping maize and sunn hemp at different times and stand densities on soil properties and crop yield under in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) tillage in semi-arid South Africa

Dzvene,

Gura,

Tesfuhuney

et al. 2024

Plant Soil

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Background Evidence suggests that manipulating intercropping timing and stand density within intercropping systems could enhance crop yields. However, our current understanding of the effects of intercropping a cover crop on soil chemical properties and moisture still needs to be improved. This study investigates the effects of intercropping sunn hemp with maize at different timings and stand densities on selected soil properties and crop yield. Materials and methods A split-plot experiment was conducted under the in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) tillage. The trial had three intercropping times (simultaneously with maize planting, at V15 maize growth stage, and R1 maize growth stage) as the main plot factors and three stand densities (16, 32, and 48 plants m−2) as the subplot factors, with three replicates for both the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. Changes in soil properties were assessed within the uppermost layer (0-30 cm). Soil moisture content was continuously monitored throughout the growing season and specific soil chemical properties were analyzed at harvest. Results The results showed that the interaction of sunn hemp intercropping period and stand densities did not significantly influence most of the measured soil properties. The early planting of sunn hemp had significantly 32.4% higher soil organic matter (SOM) than the last planting date at low stand density. After two growing seasons SOM, nitrogen, potassium, and manganese were significantly enhanced by 39.7%, 19.0%, 21% and 60.6% respectively. However, during the same period calcium, sodium and iron were significantly reduced by 13.4%, 46.1% and 78.0% respectively. The management of sunn hemp crop had significant effect on maize grain yield across the two seasons. The maize yields in the medium and high stand densities in the first season were significantly 15.3% and 34.3% higher than in the second season, respectively. Conclusion Due to the intercropping treatments, the retention of sunn hemp residues with varying quantities and qualities may have influenced the soil nutrient dynamics in the short-term. Significant changes in soil chemical properties and yield may need more time, and future research should be conducted out in agricultural regions with different soil mineral matrices.

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Forage legumes exhibit a differential potential to compete against maize and weeds and to restore soil fertility in a maize-forage legume intercrop

Cited by 10 publications

References 37 publications

Short-term effects of sunn hemp intercropping management in a maize-based system on the soil fertility of a Plinthic Cambisol in Free State, South Africa

Short-term effects of sunn hemp intercropping management in a maize-based system on the soil fertility of a Plinthic Cambisol in Free State, South Africa

The potential of durum wheat–chickpea intercropping to improve the soil available phosphorus status and biomass production in a subtropical climate

Effect of intercropping maize and sunn hemp at different times and stand densities on soil properties and crop yield under in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) tillage in semi-arid South Africa

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