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Exploring the potential of soybean as an intercrop in maize-based cropping systems
1  Department of Agronomy, Northeast Agricultural University, China
2  Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Academic Editor: Mirza Hasanuzzaman

Abstract:

Traditional maize farming practices in Pakistan are labor-intensive and add to the depletion of soil fertility. Soybeans, being a leguminous crop, have the competence to restore soil health, making maize–soybean intercropping an effective pathway to ameliorate maize production. A field experiment was designed and conducted in the autumn of 2019 at the Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, to evaluate the impact of soybean intercropping on maize yield. The experiment followed a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Factor A involved two maize planting geometries (MPG): alternate single-row maize planting on 75 cm spaced ridges, and alternate double-row planting on 75 cm ridges. Factor B included four soybean intercropping techniques (SIT): no intercropping for brown manuring at 30 days after sowing (DAS), as a fodder crop at 60 DAS, and as a grain crop at maturity. Standard methods were used to record parameters related to soil health, growth, and the yield of both crops. Results indicated that maize planted in alternate single rows with soybean as a grain crop achieved higher values in terms of plant height (205.17 cm), 1000-grain weight (372.97 g), biological yield (19.10 tons/ha), grain yield (8.65 tons/ha), and harvest index (2.9). Soybean growth, however, was generally superior when intercropped on alternate double rows. Both MPG and SIT significantly influenced the performance of maize and soybean, with alternate single-row maize and soybean grain crop intercropping found to be the most economical under Faisalabad's agro-ecological conditions.

Keywords: Maize; Soybean varieties; intercropping; days after sowing; planting geometries

 
 
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