scholarly journals Responses of Microbiological Soil Properties to Intercropping at Different Planting Densities in an Acidic Andisol

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 781
Author(s):  
Mauricio Schoebitz ◽  
Dalma Castillo ◽  
Milko Jorquera ◽  
Antonio Roldan

Intercropping could increase the capacity of crops to use soil resources. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lupin/wheat intercropping on soil properties, grain yield and nutrient uptake at different plant densities. Lupin and wheat were grown under field conditions as monocrops and intercrops. Soil nutrient availability and relative abundance of functional genes (acdS, phoD, phoC and nifH) were evaluated. The results obtained indicate that the cropping system had a significant effect (p < 0.001) on N and P availability. Lupin monocrop led to significantly higher N availability compared to intercrop. Intercropping resulted in significantly lower Olsen-P and K in soil concentrations compared to monocropping. No significant differences were observed in enzyme activity, except for phosphatase, which was 152% greater in the treatments at high plant density. Foliar nutrients were significantly higher in intercropping compared to monocropping. Acid phosphatase gene phoC was more abundant than the alkaline phosphatase gene phoD, which plays a more relevant role in acidic Andisols. The results confirm that N and P mobilization can improve nutrient absorption on wheat. When intercropped, lupin had positive effects on wheat due to its P mobilization capacity, while no effects were observed on lupin.

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel I. Haruna ◽  
Nsalambi V. Nkongolo

Cover cropping, tillage and crop rotation management can influence soil nutrient availability and crop yield through changes in soil physical, chemical and biological processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of three years of cover crop, tillage, and crop rotation on selected soil nutrients. Twenty-four plots each of corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) were established on a 4.05 ha field and arranged in a three-factor factorial design. The three factors (treatments) were two methods of tillage (no-tillage (NT) vs. moldboard plow [conventional] tillage (CT)), two types of cover crop (no cover crop (NC) vs. cover crop (CC)) and four typess of rotation (continuous corn, continuous soybean, corn/soybean and soybean/corn). Soil samples were taken each year at four different depths in each plot; 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm, and analyzed for soil nutrients: calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), nitrogen (NO3 and NH4), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu). The results in the first year showed that CT increased NO3-N availability by 40% compared with NT. In the second year, NH4-N was 8% lower under CC compared with NC management. In the third year, P was 12% greater under CC management compared with NC management. Thus, CC can enhance crop production systems by increasing P availability and scavenging excess NH4-N from the soil, but longer-term studies are needed to evaluate long-term effects.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (22) ◽  
pp. 5273
Author(s):  
Luis Carlos Sandoval-Herazo ◽  
Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman ◽  
María Cristina López-Méndez ◽  
Albino Martínez-Sibaja ◽  
Alberto A. Aguilar-Lasserre ◽  
...  

Wastewater treatment (WWT) is a priority around the world; conventional treatments are not widely used in rural areas owing to the high operating and maintenance costs. In Mexico, for instance, only 40% of wastewater is treated. One sustainable option for WWT is through the use of constructed wetlands (CWs) technology, which may remove pollutants using cells filled with porous material and vegetation that works as a natural filter. Knowing the optimal material and density of plants used per square meter in CWs would allow improving their WWT effect. In this study, the effect of material media (plastic/mineral) and plant density on the removal of organic/inorganic pollutants was evaluated. Low (three plants), medium (six plants) and high (nine plants) densities were compared in a surface area of 0.3 m2 of ornamental plants (Alpinia purpurata, Canna hybrids and Hedychium coronarium) used in polycultures at the mesocosm level of household wetlands, planted on the two different substrates. Regarding the removal of contaminants, no significant differences were found between substrates (p ≥ 0.05), indicating the use of plastic residues (reusable) is an economical option compared to typical mineral materials. However, differences (p = 0.001) in removal of pollutants were found between different plant densities. For both substrates, the high density planted CWs were able to remove COD in a range of 86–90%, PO4-P 22–33%, NH4-N in 84–90%, NO3-N 25–28% and NO2-N 38–42%. At medium density, removals of 79–81%, 26–32, 80–82%, 24–26%, and 39–41%, were observed, whereas in CWs with low density, the detected removals were 65–68%, 20–26%, 79–80%, 24–26% and 31–40%, respectively. These results revealed that higher COD and ammonia were removed at high plant density than at medium or low densities. Other pollutants were removed similarly in all plant densities (22–42%), indicating the necessity of hybrid CWs to increase the elimination of PO4-P, NO3-N and NO2-N. Moreover, high density favored 10 to 20% more the removal of pollutants than other plant densities. In addition, in cells with high density of plants and smaller planting distance, the development of new plant shoots was limited. Thus, it is suggested that the appropriate distance for this type of polyculture plants should be from 40 to 50 cm in expansion to real-scale systems in order to take advantage of the harvesting of species in these and allow species of greater foliage, favoring its growth and new shoots with the appropriate distance to compensate, in the short time, the removal of nutrients.


1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
T. Botwright ◽  
N. Mendham ◽  
B. Chung

Summary. The effect of plant density on growth, development, yield and quality of kabocha (buttercup squash) (Cucurbita maxima) was examined during 1992–93, at a field site in Cambridge, Tasmania. Plant densities ranged between 0.5 and 4.7 plants/m2. Marketable and total yields were fitted to a yield–density model. Total yield followed an asymptotic trend, approaching 33 t/ha at 4.7 plants/m2, while marketable yield had a parabolic relationship with density. Marketable yield increased to a maximum of 18 t/ha at 1.1 plants/m2, while declining at higher densities because of increased numbers of undersized fruit. Yield of vine marked and callused fruit did not vary with density, but represented a significant proportion of the total yield at all densities. High plant density reduced vegetative growth per plant due to competition for limited resources; as shown by decreased leaf area, number and length of vines, and plant dry weight. Yield tended to decline at high densities because of fewer female flowers and increased fruit abortion per plant. Plants at low densities had more vegetative growth but decreased yields, as increased abortion of fruit relative to the higher plant densities left only 1–2 large fruit per plant. Economic returns varied with plant density. At high densities, variable costs increased (particularly due to high seed cost) while gross income declined reflecting the relationship between marketable yield and plant density. The gross margin therefore declined at high densities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Al-Mohmadi & Al-Ani

A field experiment was condueted at the experimental Farm, College of Agriculture University of AL-Anbar in replace location (Abu-Gheaib) in spring season of 2017. While in Fall season it was applied at AL-saqluwiya-Anbar Province 10 km west north of Falluga city to study the effect of four levels of licorice extractor (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) (0,2,4 and 6) g.L-1 water and three (53,333, 66,666 and 88,888 plant) plant.ha-1. On growth and grain yield of Sorghum cv. Rabih. The experiment was applied using R.C.B.D. arranged in split plots with three replications. levels of plant densities were used as main-plot, while licorice extractor were used as sub-plot. Foliar application of licorice extractor was applied during vegetative growth. The results showed that, high plant density (88888) plant.h-1 significantly increase plant height and leaf area index, while most of traits were not significantly influenced by plant density including grain yield. Results revealed that foliar application of licorice extractor with 2,4,6 g.L-1 of water significantly influenced grain yield in spring season compane with control treatment and it is amounted to (9.62, 9.55 and 9.78) t.h-1 respectively. There were significant interaction between Licorice extractor and plant density in spring and fall season in grain yield. The higher grain yield of 10.31 and 10.33 t.h-1 were obtained when sorghum plants were sowing at hight density and sprayed with Licorice extractor at level          4 g.L-1 respectively


Author(s):  
Ioannis Roussis, Ioanna Kakabouki, Dimitrios Bilalis

Agronomic practices such as plant density and fertilizer management are referred to comprise crop environment, which influences plant growth, productivity, and ultimately the yield. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the influence of plant density and fertilization on the growth and growth indices of Nigella sativa crop and to determine the association between yield and growth characteristics at both the single plant and crop stand level. The 2-year experiment was laid out in a split-plot design, with three replications, two main plots (200 and 300 plants m-2) and four sub-plots (fertilization treatments: control, compost, farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer). The highest absolute growth rate (AGR) (0.0321 g day-1) and relative growth rate (RGR) (0.0714 g g-1 day-1) values were recorded when plants subjected to low-density and inorganic fertilization, while the highest crop growth rate (CGR) (8.0342 g m-2 day-1) was obtained under high-plant density and inorganic fertilization. Concerning specific leaf area (SLA), the highest value (196.28 cm2 g-1) was found in inorganic fertilized treatment. Leaf area index (LAI), Leaf area duration (LAD) and Biomass duration (BMD) were positively affected by both plant density and fertilization with the greatest values observed under high-density and fertilization. In conclusion, plant densities higher than 200 plants m-2 lead to higher crop growth, but lower growth of individual plants and decreased seed yield, while the application of inorganic fertilizers increases crop growth and yield as these fertilizers contain higher levels of nitrogen with high solubility and therefore quick availability for the crop than the organic fertilizers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-118
Author(s):  
Renny Fatmyah Utamy ◽  
Herry Sonjaya ◽  
Yasuyuki Ishii ◽  
Syamsuddin Hasan ◽  
Maulina Nazira ◽  
...  

Background: Mixed cropping of forage grasses and legumes can potentially improve the performance of herbivores. However, the feasibility of grasses mixed-cropped with legumes should be examined at different plant densities. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the growth characters and forage chemical composition in dwarf napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott) with Indigofera (Indigofera zollingeriana) grown using alley cropping. Methods: Three densities of dwarf napiergrass with Indigofera, i.e., high density (2 and 1 plants m-2, respectively); medium density (1.33 and 1 plants m-2, respectively); and low density (1 and 1 plants m-2, respectively) were applied under rainfed conditions in Makassar. Results: Plant density significantly affected growth characteristics, such as plant height and tiller density in dwarf napiergrass (p<0.05), and non-significantly affected plant height and branch density (p>0.05) in Indigofera. Plant density did not affect the yielding ability at the first defoliation and annual total of yields (p>0.05), except at the second defoliation when the dry matter production of dwarf napiergrass peaked in the low plant density treatment (p<0.05). In terms of chemical composition, plant density significantly affected fiber concentrations of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber, which were lowest at low plant densities (p<0.05). The acid detergent lignin and cellulose concentrations tended to be lower at low plant densities, but the differences were not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: We consider that alley cropping systems for dwarf napiergrass and Indigofera are suitable if low plant densities are employed in the region.


HortScience ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-290
Author(s):  
Ravneet K. Sandhu ◽  
Nathan S. Boyd ◽  
Lincoln Zotarelli ◽  
Shinsuke Agehara ◽  
Natalia Peres

Florida vegetable growers are facing high production costs due to high input costs, lower profitability, and competition from foreign markets. Multi/intercropping allows growers to increase the yields and profits per unit area by producing multiple crops on the same beds. Experiments determining the effects of intercropping and plant spacing was conducted in Fall 2018 and 2019 at Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Balm. Tomato and bell pepper were intercropped at low and high planting density on plastic-covered beds. Bell pepper shoot biomass was significantly (P < 0.001) reduced when intercropped with tomato, compared with monocropped bell pepper. However, tomato shoot biomass was significantly reduced when tomato plant density increased, but it was unaffected by bell pepper intercropping. Biomass of both crops was unaffected by relay cropping. Bell pepper yields when intercropped with tomato at low density (60 cm tomato-tomato and 38 cm pepper-pepper) had similar yields to bell pepper planted alone in low and high planting density. We concluded that bell pepper plants were more sensitive to interspecific competition, whereas tomato plants were more sensitive to intraspecific competition. Intercropping may be a viable option for growers at recommended plant densities used for monocrops. However, high plant density is not recommended.


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1193-1202 ◽  
Author(s):  
CRAIGHTON S. MAUK ◽  
PATRICK J. BREEN ◽  
HARRY J. MACK

Abscission and/or retention of flowers and pods formed on inflorescences arising from mainstem nodes 6 (terminal) and 2 (first trifoliolate leaf) of Oregon 1604 snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were studied during the 1978 and 1979 seasons to determine the effects of irrigation and plant population. Inflorescences at these two nodes account for the majority of the yield produced in this determinate cultivar. The influence of high (−0.06 MPa) and low (−0.25 MPa) soil water potential and plant density were also assessed. High and low plant densities were 45 vs. 18 in 1978, and 54 vs. 33 plants m−2 in 1979. Percent flower and pod abscission was signficantly less under high (62%) than low (74%) irrigation at node 6 in 1978, and at node 2 in 1978 (48 vs. 71) and 1979 (37 vs. 60). Although plant density had no effect at node 6, percent abscission at node 2 was significantly less under low than high plant density in both years. An acropetal increase in percent abscission occurred within the inflorescence at node 6, with a value of 45% at the proximal, first raceme node, and from 65 to 86% at the most distal, third raceme node. The acropetal pattern of abscission was less marked in inflorescences at node 2. A sharp rise in reproductive abscission was observed in 1978 after a 3-d period when maximum daily temperatures exceeded 34 °C. This early rise in abscission (which did not occur in the cooler 1979 season) was reduced by high irrigation (nodes 6 and 2) and low plant density (node 2). Abscission of flowers at the white bud stage or at anthesis was relatively low. The major portion of reproductive organs were shed after anthesis. High irrigation delayed abscission at both main-stem nodes, thus increasing the proportion of organs which abscised as pods. Low plant density also postponed abscission of reproductive organs at node 2, but had less effect at node 6.Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris L., anthesis, first bloom


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diogo Barreto Magalhães ◽  
Sérgio Luiz Rodrigues Donato ◽  
Marcelo Rocha dos Santos ◽  
Cleiton Fernando Barbosa Brito ◽  
Varley Andrade Fonseca ◽  
...  

Abstract Yield-improving and water-saving techniques assume great importance in the cultivation of banana plants under semiarid regions, prone to greater climate variability. The objective of this study was to evaluate yield and water-use efficiency (WUE) response of ‘Prata-Anã’ banana plants to combinations of plant densities and irrigation levels: three irrigation levels, 50, 75 and 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and four plant densities, 1,666 (3.0 x 2.0 m), 2,083 (3.0 x 1.6 m), 2,666 (3.0 x 1.25 m) and 3,333 (3.0 x 1.0) plants ha-1, evaluated in two production cycles. The treatments were laid out in a randomized block design with four replicates. Increasing plant density up to 3,333 plants ha-1 induced reductions in number of leaves at harvest and some yield components; also, longer cycles, and increased yields were observed while maintaining fruit marketable size, regardless of the irrigation level used. Using an irrigation level at 50%ETc and a plant density of 3,333 plants ha-1 led to an increase in WUE of 313.92% in the first cycle and 295.27% in the second cycle compared with 1,666 plants ha-1 irrigated at 100% ETc. Higher yields and WUE can be achieved by using a plant population density of 3,333 plants ha-1 and irrigation levels below 100%ETc.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Waithira Njuguna ◽  
Hellen Wangechi Kamiri ◽  
John Robert Okalebo ◽  
Wilson Ngetich ◽  
Syphilline Kebeney

Abstract Maize is the main staple food in Kenya with over 90% of Kenyans relying on it. While the annual national consumption is increasing, the production of this crop has been on the decline in the last two decades. Maize production in Kenya fell by 33.4% in 2013 with Nyeri among the counties said to be grappling with the production of this crop. Land pressure is one of the major causes of decreased availability of food as well as soil depletion and encroachment upon fragile ecosystems such as wetlands. Nitrogen is a key nutrient in the production of maize, and its deficiency is a major factor limiting its production. This study investigated the effect of N application at 120 kg N/ha and maize density on the Leaf Area Index in reclaimed wetland soils in an experimental set-up comprising a randomized complete block design with three replications. The research was carried out in Nyeri County, Kenya. Leaf Area Index (LAI) was determined using the given SunScan formula. Measurements were done continuously until crop physiological maturity. Results indicated that the leaf area index increased with nitrogen application and reduced with spacing for most treatments. There were no significant differences between the two methods (Copy Method and SunScan). Leaf Area Index (LAI) was high in treatments containing nitrogen and high plant density. It was concluded that high plant density gives high LAI. 50 cm * 12.5 cm (-N) and 50 cm * 12.5 cm (+N) are the recommended plant densities for the site.


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