Yenealem Gemi,
Wudinesh Naba,
Amare Gojjam,
Birhanu Wolde,
Abstract
In order to increase land productivity, intercropping offers enough flexibility to grow two or more crops at the same time on the same plot of land. The advantages of intercropping systems have not been thoroughly investigated and are supported by available experimental data. The purpose of this study was to assess how intercropping affects soil moisture conservation in places under moisture stress, which affects land productivity. In this study, experimental plots with three replications were created using a randomized full block design. There were five treatments that were assessed: lablab only, cowpea only, lablab plus maize, and cowpea plus maize. For the purpose of analyzing soil moisture and physicochemical properties, disturbed soil samples were taken from a depth of 0 to 30 cm and composited. From each plot, the biomass and yield of legume and maize were measured, and the general linear model was used to examine the changes. To assess land production, one can compute the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER). In comparison to solitary maize (26.83%), the results of the first year trial indicated that the maize-cowpea (34.33%) and maize-lablab (31.20%) intercrops had increased soil moisture content during the development stage. This suggests that legume shrubs, whether planted as intercropped or monocultures, are beneficial for preserving soil moisture. In this trial, maize intercropped with Lablab 1.44 in Angila 4 kebele yielded the greatest LER values, but maize intercropped with cowpea 1.29 at Angila 3 kebele produced the highest LER values. In order to obtain meaningful changes in soil moisture and soil physicochemical properties, it is imperative to conduct similar studies at permanent field plots over a period of more than two years. This will also assist farmers in better utilizing cereal-legume intercropping systems to boost yields in moisture-stressed areas.
Keywords: Intercropping, legumes, land equivalent ratio, soil moisture, yield
[This article belongs to Research & Reviews : Journal of Crop science and Technology ]
Yenealem Gemi, Wudinesh Naba, Amare Gojjam, Birhanu Wolde. Intercropping Legumes Covers with Maize on Soil Moisture Improvement in Selected Dry Land Areas of Basketo Special Woreda’s, Ethiopia. Research & Reviews : Journal of Crop science and Technology. 2024; 13(03):09-18.
Yenealem Gemi, Wudinesh Naba, Amare Gojjam, Birhanu Wolde. Intercropping Legumes Covers with Maize on Soil Moisture Improvement in Selected Dry Land Areas of Basketo Special Woreda’s, Ethiopia. Research & Reviews : Journal of Crop science and Technology. 2024; 13(03):09-18. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjocst/article=2024/view=183690
References
- Ramankutty N, Mehrabi Z, Waha K, et al. Trends in Global Agricultural Land Use: Implications for Environmental Health and Food Security. Annu Rev Plant Biol. 2018; Apr 29;69:789-815. doi:10.1146/annurev-arplant-042817-040256. Epub 2018 Feb 28. PMID: 29489395.
Research and Reviews : Journal of Crop science and Technology
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 03 |
| Received | 19/10/2024 |
| Accepted | 24/10/2024 |
| Published | 25/10/2024 |
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