scholarly journals Effect of cropping system and peat amendment on strawberry growth and yield

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 88 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. VESTBERG ◽  
S. KUKKONEN ◽  
H. KURU
Keyword(s):  
Yield Components ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
Marketable Fruit ◽  
The Impact

Comparative studies have usually shown higher yields in conventional cropping systems (CCS) than in organic cropping systems (OCS). By utilizing a long-term field experiment on silt soil with 18 years of cropping history (1982–1999), including three OCSs and one CCS, we studied if this is true also for strawberry. The strawberry experiment was conducted in 2000–2002. The experiment had one CCS (A) and three OCSs (B,C,D). The impact of pre-planting peat amendment was also studied. The degree of overwintering, fruit yields, yield components and some soil nutrients were determined. Total and marketable fruit yields were estimated using a peduncle analysis based on weights of fruits of different orders in the peduncle, numbers of healthy and injured fruits in the peduncle and the number of peduncles per plant. The shoot growth, total and marketable fruit yields, as well as all yield components estimated were significantly higher in the OCS rotation D than in the CCS rotation A. The peat amendment, but not the cropping system, decreased the percentage of strawberry plants suffering from or killed by winter damage. However, peat amendment did not affect yield. The cropping system had no impact on soil pH, or the amount of extractable calcium, magnesium and nitrate. Extractable phosphorus and potassium were higher and soil organic carbon (Corg) slightly higher in the OCS than in the CCS. The peat amendment increased Corg by 2%. The amounts of extractable nutrients in soil were not a limiting factor for strawberry growth and yield as they were of sufficient levels both in CCS and OCS. It remains unclear whether the higher yield in the OCS was due to a long-term cropping history or to a short-term effect of composted manure, or to a combination of these two. The importance of soil organic management in strawberry production is emphasized.;

scholarly journals Measuring and Monitoring the Impact of Precision Land Levelling and Arable Cropping Systems on Aggregate Associated Carbon Fractions and Soil Carbon Stock in Sub-tropical Ecosystems

2020 ◽  
pp. 197-220
Author(s):  
R. K. Naresh ◽  
Yogesh Kumar ◽  
S. S. Tomar ◽  
Mukesh Kumar ◽  
M. Sharath Chandra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Energy Productivity ◽  
Tropical Ecosystems ◽  
Carbon Fractions ◽  
The Impact

The Long term experiment (2009-10 to-2018-19) was conducted to study the effects of precision land levelled (PLL) versus traditional land levelled (TLL) systems on aggregate-associated soil organic carbon (SOC) in a farmers participatory fields under sub-tropical ecosystems (Western Uttar Pradesh) of Indian conditions. The significance of this study mainly focus to determine the suitability of various labile carbon fractions as indicators of soil quality and the stability of aggregates plays a vital role in preserving and long term storing of soil organic carbon by implementing Precision Land Levelling under various arable cropping system. The treatment comprised of sixteen alternative arable cropping systems strategies viz. R-WPLL, R-WTLL, S-WPLL, S-WTLL, R-P-MbPLL, R-P-MbTLL, R-P-OPLL, R-P-OTLL, R-C-OPLL, R-C-OTLL, O-W-MbPLL, O-W-MbTLL, M-W-MbPLL, M-W-MbTLL, M-P-MbPLL, and M-P-MbTLL etc were taken with recommended dose of fertilizers and various observations were recorded. The results indicated that the M-P-MbPLL produced 79.5 kgha-1day-1 productivity and used only 110 cm irrigation water which was 48.1 per cent less than irrigation water used for R-WPLL. The land use efficiency under R-P-MbPLL, R-P-OPLL, R-P-MbPLL, R-C-OPLL and M-P-MbPLL were recorded as 86.2, 85.1, 84.8, 84.6 and 83.9%. However, energy value in terms total input energy and energy productivity were 39.9 and 218.5 GJ ha-1 over existing R-W system (32.9 & 105.7 GJ ha-1). The quantity of water used in the R-C-O, M-W-Mb, M-P-Mb, and O-W-Mb were 46.1, 44.9, 40.1 and 36.3 per cent less than quantity of water used for R-W system. Aggregate-associated SOC contents in 0-15 cm depth were recorded highest SOC at 15-30 cm depth in PLL systems as 9.4% for both M-P-MbPLL and M-W-MbPLL. Highest PON change in arable cropping system (30.9 & 40.1%) was found in O-W-Mb with precision land levelling (T11) plots followed by R-P-O with precision land levelling (T7) plots (26.1 & 35.8%) as compared to R-W and S-W system. The values of LFOC in surface soil were 194.7, 187.9, 176.2, 170.9, 168.5, 150.6, 132.8 and 123.8 mgkg−1 in R-P-O, R-C-O, M-W-Mb, O-W-Mb, M-P-Mb, R-P-Mb, R-W and S-W with precision land levelling treatments. Higher SOC sequestration was observed with precision land leveling along with alternative arable cropping systems with O-W-MbPLL, R-C-OPLL, R-P-OPLL, O-W-MbPLL and M-P-MbPLL respectively. Therefore, PLL systems had greater soil surface aggregation and carbon storage, land levelling did not affect SOC patterns across aggregates, but changed the distribution of aggregate size, reflecting that land levelling mainly influenced soil fertility by altering soil structure.

scholarly journals Effect of reducing rates of NPK, ZA, and KCl fertilizers on the growth and yield of shallot in multiple cropping system in Bantul

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
Karsidi Karsidi ◽  
Endang Sulistyaningsih ◽  
Didik Indradewa ◽  
Budiastuti Kurniasih
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Multiple Cropping ◽  
Main Plot ◽  
The Right ◽  
Fertilizer Rates ◽  
Organic And Inorganic Fertilizers

The intensive application of synthetic/inorganic fertilizer on shallot cultivation tends to contaminate the environment and reduce soil quality. Meanwhile, the decrease of farmland area has been a limiting factor in increasing shallot production. Shallot farmers in Bantul District, D. I. Yogyakarta, commonly combine organic and inorganic fertilizers. Therefore, an alternative technology to sustain the production of shallot is through the application of fertilizer at the right rates and  the practice of multiple cropping system. The objective of this research was to determine the growth and yield of shallot as affected by the reduced rates of inorganic fertilizer in multiple cropping systems. This research was conducted from August to November 2016 in Srigading Village, Sanden Sub-District, Bantul District, D. I. Yogyakarta. The research was arranged in a split plot design with three replications. The main plot was cropping system consisting of monoculture system (shallot) and multiple cropping system (shallot – chili). The subplot was fertilizer rates consisting of 100 % as control, 50 %, and 25 %. The results of this research showed that multiple cropping system did not decrease the growth and yield of shallot. Likewise, reducing inorganic fertilizer rates to 50% of control did not decrease shallot yield. However,  the inorganic fertilizer rate of 25% significantly decreased shallot yield to 12.15 %.

scholarly journals Pengaruh Magnesium, Boron, dan Pupuk Hayati terhadap Produktivitas Cabai serta Serangan Hama dan Penyakit (Effect of Magnesium, Boron, and Biofertilizers on Chili Pepper Productivity and Impact of Pests and Diseases)

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Wiwin Setiawati ◽  
Ahsol Hasyim ◽  
Bagus Kukuh Udiarto ◽  
Abdi Hudayya
Keyword(s):  
Yield Components ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Chili Pepper ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Positive Interaction ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
The Impact

<p>Penggunaan pupuk hayati dan unsur hara makro sekunder seperti magnesium (Mg) dan hara mikro boron (B) diketahui dapat meningkatkan pertumbuhan, kualitas hasil tanaman, meningkatkan unsur hara dalam tanah serta mampu meningkatkan ketahanan tanaman terhadap serangan hama dan penyakit. Selain itu penggunaan pupuk tersebut dapat mengurangi kebutuhan terhadap pupuk kimia sintetis. Tujuan penelitian adalah mengetahui pengaruh aplikasi Mg, B, dan kombinasinya dengan pupuk hayati terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil panen serta penekanan serangan hama dan penyakit. Penelitian dilakukan di Kebun Percobaan Balai Penelitian Tanaman Sayuran, Lembang, Jawa Barat (1.250 m dpl.) dari bulan Juni 2018 sampai bulan Februari 2019. Rancangan percobaan yang digunakan adalah Rancangan Acak Kelompok terdiri atas delapan perlakuan dan empat ulangan. Perlakuan yang diuji adalah aplikasi Mg, B, dan kombinasi dengan pupuk hayati serta teknologi konvensional sebagai pembanding. Pengamatan dilakukan terhadap pertumbuhan tanaman (tinggi tanaman dan luas kanopi), komponen hasil dan hasil serta serangan hama dan penyakit penting yang menyerang tanaman cabai. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kombinasi Mg, B, dan pupuk hayati yang diaplikasikan sebanyak dua kali pada umur 30 HST dan 45 HST mampu meningkatkan produktivitas cabai sebesar 21,68 ton/ha atau meningkat sebesar 54,53% dibandingkan dengan kontrol. Peningkatan produktivitas cabai terjadi karena adanya perbaikan dalam komponen hasil seperti jumlah bunga, jumlah buah, panjang, dan bobot buah serta adanya penekanan terhadap serangan hama dan penyakit seperti trips, antraknosa, lalat buah, dan penggerek buah sebesar 18,10% sampai 23,93%.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong></p><p><em>Capsicum annuum</em>; Unsur hara makro; Pupuk hayati; Produktivitas; Organisme pengganggu tumbuhan</p><p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>The use of biofertilizer and macro and micro nutrients enhanced the growth and development, yield quality of vegetable crops as well as nutrient status of soil to a greater extent and to increased on pests and diseases resistance. Organic sources of nutrients including biofertilizers also economize the use of chemical fertilizers. The objectives of this study were to determine the best combination of Mg, B, and biofertilizer that increase the growth and yield of chili pepper and the impact to pest and diseases on chili pepper. The field experiment was conducted at the experimental field of the Indonesian Vegetable Research Institute, Lembang, West Java from June 2018 to February 2019. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Block Design with eight treatments and four replicated. The treatments were Mg, B, and their combinations with biofertilizer compared to the conventional technologies as a control. The observations were carried out on the growth parameters (plant height and leaf canopy), yield components, pest and diseases of chili pepper. The results showed that the combinations of Mg, B, and biofertilizer increased the yield of chili up to 21.68 ton/ha or positive interaction beside beneficial agent with Mg, B, and biofertilizer package on 54.53%. Increased productivity of chili occurs because of improvements in yield components such as the number of flowers, number of fruits, fruit length and fruit weight and reduction of pest and disease attacks such as thrips, anthracnose, fruit flies and, fruit borers by 18.10% to 23.93%.</p>

scholarly journals Long-Term Green Manure Rotations Improve Soil Biochemical Properties, Yield Sustainability and Nutrient Balances in Acidic Paddy Soil under a Rice-Based Cropping System

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 780
Author(s):  
Muhammad Qaswar ◽  
Jing Huang ◽  
Waqas Ahmed ◽  
Dongchu Li ◽  
Shujun Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Yield Sustainability ◽  
Double Rice ◽  
Winter Fallow

Cultivation of green manure (GM) crops in intensive cropping systems is important for enhancing crop productivity through soil quality improvement. We investigated yield sustainability, nutrient stocks, nutrient balances and enzyme activities affected by different long-term (1982–2016) green manure rotations in acidic paddy soil in a double-rice cropping system. We selected four treatments from a long-term experiment, including (1) rice-rice-winter fallow as a control treatment (R-R-F), (2) rice-rice-milkvetch (R-R-M), (3) rice-rice-rapeseed (R-R-R), and (4) rice-rice-ryegrass (R-R-G). The results showed that different GM rotations increased grain yield and the sustainable yield index compared with those of the R-R-F treatment. Compared with those of R-R-F, the average grain yield of early rice in R-R-M, R-R-R, and R-R-G increased by 45%, 29%, and 27%, respectively and that of late rice increased by 46%, 28%, and 26%, respectively. Over the years, grain yield increased in all treatments except R-R-F. Green manure also improved the soil chemical properties (SOM and total and available N and P), except soil pH, compared to those of the control treatment. During the 1983–1990 cultivation period, the soil pH of the R-R-M treatment was lower than that of the R-R-F treatment. The addition of green manure did not mitigate the soil acidification caused by the use of inorganic fertilizers. The soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) contents and stocks of C, N and P increased over the years. Furthermore, GM significantly increased phosphatase and urease activities and decreased the apparent N and P balances compared with those in the winter fallow treatment. Variance partitioning analysis revealed that soil properties, cropping systems, and climatic factors significantly influenced annual grain yield. Aggregated boosted tree (ABT) analysis quantified the relative influences of the different soil properties on annual grain yield and showed that the relative influences of TN content, SOM, pH, and TP content on annual crop yield were 27.8%, 25.7%, 22.9%, and 20.7%, respectively. In conclusion, GM rotation is beneficial for sustaining high crop yields by improving soil biochemical properties and reducing N and P balances in acidic soil under double- rice cropping systems.

scholarly journals Impact of land management system on crop yields and soil fertility in Cameroon

Solid Earth ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 1087-1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Tsozué ◽  
J. P. Nghonda ◽  
D. L. Mekem
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The impact of direct-seeding mulch-based cropping systems (DMC), direct seeding (DS) and tillage seeding (TS) on Sorghum yields, soil fertility and the rehabilitation of degraded soils was evaluated in northern Cameroon. Field work consisted of visual examination, soil sampling, yield and rainfall data collection. Three fertilization rates (F1: 100 kg ha−1 NPK + 25 kg ha−1 of urea in DMC, F2: 200 kg ha−1 NPK + 50 kg ha−1 of urea in DMC and F3: 300 kg ha−1 NPK + 100 kg ha−1 of urea in DMC) were applied to each cropping system (DS, TS and DMC), resulting in nine experimental plots. Two types of chemical fertilizer were used (NPK 22.10.15 and urea) and applied each year from 2002 to 2012. Average Sorghum yields were 1239, 863 and 960 kg ha−1 in DMC, DS and TS, respectively, at F1, 1658, 1139 and 1192 kg ha−1 in DMC, DS and TS, respectively, at F2, and 2270, 2138 and 1780 kg ha−1 in DMC, DS and TS, respectively, at F3. pH values were 5.2–5.7 under DMC, 4.9–5.3 under DS and TS and 5.6 in the control sample. High values of cation exchange capacity were recorded in the control sample, TS system and F1 of DMC. Base saturation rates, total nitrogen and organic matter contents were higher in the control sample and DMC than in the other systems. All studied soils were permanently not suitable for Sorghum due to the high percentage of nodules. F1 and F2 of the DS were currently not suitable, while F1 and F3 of DMC, F3 of DS and F1, F2 and F3 of TS were marginally suitable for Sorghum due to low pH values.

scholarly journals Land Situation and Sowing Date Effects Growth and Yield of Crops in the Rice-Pulse Based Cropping Systems of Coastal India

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Koushik Brahmachari ◽  
Sukamal Sarkar ◽  
Donald S. Gaydon ◽  
Manoj Kumar Nanda ◽  
Argha Ghosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Bengal ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Pulse Crops ◽  
Stover Yield ◽  
Saline Zone

The costal saline zone of West Bengal in India is the home for millions of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Due to gradual increase in salt accumulation on soils of the costal saline zone of West Bengal in India from winter to summer days, cultivation of the second crop in winter season becomes possible in a limited area. To address this issue, field experiment was conducted both in rainy and winter seasons of 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 in this zone to study the feasibility of incorporating different winter pulses (lentil and grass pea) in the rice based cropping system. The experiment was conducted in strip plot design having two factors namely, Factor I: Six dates of sowing of rice at an interval of one week (2nd week of June to 3rd week of July) and Factor II: Two land situations (Medium-upland and Medium-lowland). Date of sowing significantly influenced dry matter and macro-nutrients (NPK) partitioning in rice. Irrespective of land situation, crop sown on 1st and 2nd dates recorded significantly higher grain yield and macro-nutrient uptake by rice. Date of sowing of rice and land situation also significantly influenced the seed and stover yield of different pulse crops. Pulse crops sown on 1st and 2nd dates recorded significantly higher seed yield in coastal saline ecology of West Bengal, India.

Contrasting agricultural management effects on soil organic carbon dynamics between topsoil and subsoil

Soil Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Yui Osanai ◽  
Oliver Knox ◽  
Gunasekhar Nachimuthu ◽  
Brian Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Agricultural Management ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Organic Fraction ◽  
Soc Stock ◽  
The Impact

Agricultural practices (e.g. tillage, crop rotation and fertiliser application) have a strong influence on the balance between carbon (C) input and output by altering physicochemical and microbial properties that control decomposition processes in the soil. Recent studies suggest that the mechanisms by which agricultural practice impacts soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in the topsoil may not be the same as those in the subsoil. Here, we assessed SOC stock, soil organic fractions and nitrogen availability to 1.0 m in soils under a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)-based cropping system, and assessed the impact of agricultural management (three historical cropping systems with or without maize (Zea mays L.) rotation) on SOC storage. We found that the maize rotation and changes in the particulate organic fraction influenced SOC stock in the topsoil, although the overall change in SOC stock was small. The large increase in subsoil SOC stock (by 31%) was dominated by changes in the mineral-associated organic fraction, which were influenced by historical cropping systems and recent maize rotation directly and indirectly via changes in soil nitrogen availability. The strong direct effect of maize rotation on SOC stock, particularly in the subsoil, suggests that the direct transfer of C into the subsoil SOC pool may dominate C dynamics in this cropping system. Therefore, agricultural management that affects the movement of C within the soil profile (e.g. changes in soil physical properties) could have a significant consequence for subsoil C storage.

scholarly journals Competition Indices of Safflower and Faba Bean Intercrops as Affected by Fertilizers

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-137
Author(s):  
Mahmoodreza SAEIDI ◽  
Yaghoub RAEI ◽  
Rouhollah AMINI ◽  
Akbar TAGHIZADEH ◽  
Bahman PASBAN-ESLAM ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Faba Bean ◽  
Yield Components ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Productivity Index ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
System Productivity ◽  
Yield And Yield Components ◽  
Sole Cropping

Cropping systems of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) with faba bean (Vicia faba L.) under different fertility were compared with sole cropping of each crop during 2015 and 2016 at the Research Farm of Tabriz University in Iran. The treatments were cropping systems (safflower and faba bean sole croppings, intercropping systems of safflower and faba bean with ratios of 1:1 and 2:1), and nutrient levels (100% chemical fertilizers, 60%, 30% chemical + biofertilizers and no fertilizer). A factorial set of treatments based on a randomized complete block design replicated three times was used. Cropping system and fertility effects were significant for yield and yield components of each crop. Yield and yield components were increased with the integrated use of 60% chemical plus biofertilizers for both years, while seed yield was reduced by intercropping. Maximum land equivalent ratio (LER), relative value total (RVT), system productivity index (SPI) and monetary advantage index (MAI) were achieved in nutritive level of 60% chemical plus biofertilizers as intercropped plants in ratio of 1:1 for both years. The total actual yield loss (AYL) values were positive and greater than zero in all mixtures, indicating an advantage from intercropping over sole crops. Intercropped safflower had a higher relative crowding coefficient (RCC) than intercropped faba bean, indicating that safflower was more competitive than faba bean in intercropping systems. From this study, it is inferred that intercropping (safflower and faba bean) with integrated use of the reduced chemical and biofertilizers may give better overall yield and income than sole cropping of each crop species.

scholarly journals How to Value the Ecosystem Services Provided by a Field? Parallel Between the Indicators Used by Scientists and the Empirical Observations of Belgian Farmers

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Lola Leveau ◽  
Pierre Bertin ◽  
Hugues Falys
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Measurement Methods ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Empirical Measurement ◽  
The Impact

When it comes to assessing the agronomic and environmental performances of a cropping system, collaborative research with real farms can provide a lot of information that is not easily available when working in experimental plots. For example, this makes it possible to observe the long-term effects of certain farming practices or to evaluate the impact of the landscape surrounding a plot. This type of collaborative study involves a specific research methodology, particularly with regard to the choice of indicators and measurement methods that will be applied to the participants’ fields. In addition to the traditional criteria of relevance to the research question, scientific rigor and feasibility, the value that the indicators have for the farmers should be considered (Lebacq et al., 2013). The value an indicator has for a farmer can be deduced from various criteria: is the indicator understandable to him? Does he know any reference values that will allow him to interpret the results? Does he feel able to change the result via his agricultural practices? As part of a collaborative study on the agro-ecological nature of cropping systems applied by Belgian farmers, we conducted preliminary interviews with 20 future participating farmers. Our objectives were to assess the value farmers placed on the indicators usually used by scientists to measure the ecosystem services provided by a field, and to identify empirical measurement methods used by farmers to assess their performance on these same indicators. This poster presents, for each ecosystem service, the indicators usually used by scientists (Boerema et al., 2017) and, in parallel, the empirical measurement methods developed by farmers. For example, for the “stability of soil aggregates” indicator, some farmers told us they use a simplified test immersing fresh soil blocks in water, while others observe the soil particle load in water leaving their field after a storm, assess the amount of soil left under the beet cleaner during the harvest or wait for a heavy rain to walk in their fields and see how much mud gets stuck to their shoes. These results will serve as a basis in the continuation of our research for developing measurement methods that combine scientific rigorousness, proximity to the field and potential of appropriation of the results by participants.

Yield components of nodulated cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and maize (Zea mays) plants grown with exogenous phosphorus in different cropping systems

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick A. Ndakidemi ◽  
Felix D. Dakora
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Yield Components ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Yield Component ◽  
Land Area ◽  
Cropping Seasons ◽  
Number Of Seeds

A 2-factorial experiment, involving three levels of phosphorus (0, 40, and 80 kg/ha) and four cropping systems (mono crop, maize–cowpea inter-row, maize–cowpea intra-row, and maize–cowpea intra-hole cropping) was conducted in the field for two consecutive years in 2003 and 2004 at Nietvoorbij (33°54′S, 18°14′E), Stellenbosch, South Africa. Plant density (number of plants per hectare) was 166 666 for sole cowpea, 111 111 for maize–cowpea inter-row, 55 555 for maize–cowpea intra-row and 55 555 for maize–cowpea intra-hole cropping. Applying 40 or 80 kg phosphorus (P)/ha significantly increased cowpea grain yields by 59–65% in 2003 and 44–55% in 2004. With maize, the increases in grain yield were 20–37% in 2003 and 48–55% in 2004 relative to the zero-P control. In both cropping seasons, the number of pod-bearing peduncles per plant, the number of pods per plant, the number of seeds per pod, and grain yield per cowpea plant were significantly increased with the application of exogenous P. In contrast, the number of pod-bearing peduncles per plant, the number of pods per plant, the number of seeds per pod, and the grain yield per plant were all significantly depressed by mixed culture relative to mono crop cowpea. There was also a significant interactive effect of P and cropping system on cowpea, such that, all cowpea yield components were generally lower in intercrop relative to mono crop. In all instances, the yield component of mono crop cowpea and, to some extent, inter-row cowpea, were markedly increased by the provision of 40 or 80 kg P/ha relative to the zero-P control. Intercropping maize with cowpea produced higher total yields per unit land area than the mono crop counterpart.

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