Evaluation of Nutrient Rresource and Crop Diversity Interaction on Radiation Use Efficiency in Different Cropping Systems

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• E Azizi ¹
• A Koocheki ²
• P Rezvani Moghaddam ²
• M Nasiri mahalati ²

¹ Payame Noor University

² Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

10.22067/gsc.v12i4.45136

Abstract

A growing interest to use multiple cropping was due to potential of these planting patterns for increasing yield by improved resource use efficiency such as radiation use efficiency (RUE). In order to investigate the effects of plant diversity and nutrient resource on radiation use efficiency, an experiment was conducted as split plot based on complete randomized block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, during 2006 and 2007. Treatments included manure and chemical fertilizers as main plots and intercropping of 3 soybean varieties (Wiliams, Sahar and Gorgan3), intercropping of 3 Millet species (common millet, foxtail millet and pearl millet), intercropping of millet, soybean, sesame (Sesamum indicum) and intercropping of millet, sesame, fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) as sub plots. Results indicated that in the manure and chemical fertilizer treatments, LAI of plants in intercropping decreased compared to monoculture. The effect of planting pattern on RUE was significant. In monocultures, common millet and soybean (Wiliams and Gorgan3 varieties) had highest RUE based on photosynthetic active radiation (PAR). The lowest RUE was obtained in sesame and foxtail millet monocultures. In the intercropping systems, when functional diversity increased, radiation use efficiency was increased, so that maximum of RUE (3.31 g.MJ-1) was obtained in 4 species intercropping (common millet, sesame, fenugreek and ajowan). Minimum of RUE (1.96 g.MJ-1) was observed in intercropping of 3 millet species. The interaction of planting pattern and nutrient resource on RUE was significant. In general, the highest RUE was observed in 4 species intercropping (common millet, sesame, fenugreek and ajowan) with manure treatment.

Keywords

• canopy
• Intercropping
• Monoculture
• Photosynthetic active radiation

20.1001.1.20081472.1393.12.4.3.2

---

References

1- Abbate, P. E., F. H. Andrade, and. J. F. Culot. 1995. The effects of radiation and nitrogen on number of grains in wheat. Journal of Agricultural Science. 124:351-360.

2- Abraham, C. T. and S. T. P. Singh. 1984. Weed management in sorghum- legume intercropping systems. Journal of Agricultural Science (Cambridge). 103: 103-115.

3- Awal, M. A., H., Koshi, and T. Ikeda. 2006. Radiation interception and use by maize/peanut intercrop canopy. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 139: 74–83.

4- Barberi, P., N. Silvestri, and E. Bonari. 1997. Weed communities of winter wheat as influenced by input level and rotation. Weed Research. 37: 301-313.

5- Baumann, D. T., L., Bastiaans, and M. J. Kropff. 2001. Composition and crop performance in a leek- celery intercropping system. Crop Science. 41: 764-774.

6- Baumann, D. T., L. Bastiaans, and M.J. Kropff. 2002. Intercropping system optimization for yield, quality, and weed suppression combining mechanistic and descriptive models. Agronomy Journal. 94:734-742.

7- Board, J. E., B. G. Harville, and M. Kamal. 1994. Radiation-use efficiency in relation to row spacing for late-planted soybean. Field Crops Research. 36: 13-19.

8- Bonhomme, R. 2000. Be ware of comparing RUE values calculated from PAR vs. solar radiation or absorbed vs. intercepted radiation. Field Crops Research. 68: 247-252.

9- Caviglia, O.P. and V. O. Sadras. 2001. Effect of nitrogen supply on crop conductance, water and radiation-use efficiency of wheat. Field Crops Research. 69: 259-266.

10- Caviglia, O. P., V. O. Sadras, and F. H. Andrade. 2004. Intensification of agriculture in the south-eastern Pampas, I. Capture and efficiency in the use of water and radiation in double-cropped wheat-soybean. Field Crops Research. 87: 117-129.

11- Cruz, P. A. and H. Sinoquet. 1994. Competition for light and nitrogen during a regrowth cycle in a tropical forage mixture. Field Crops Research. 36: 21-30.

12- Fukai, S., 1993. Intercropping-base of productivity. Field Crops Research, 34: 239–245.

13- Jahansooz, M. R., I. A. M. Yunusa, D. R. Coventry, A. R. Palmer, and D. Eamus. 2007. Radiation- and water-use associated with growth and yields of wheat and chickpea in sole and mixed crops. European Journal of Agronomy. 26: 275–282.

14- Kyamanywa, S., and J. K. O. Ampofo. 1988. Effect of cowpea/maize mixed cropping on the incident light at the cowpea canopy and flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) population density. Crop Protection. 7: 186-189.

15- Marshall, E. J. P., V. K. Brown, N. D. Boatman, P. J. W. Lutman, G. R. Squire, and L. K. Ward. 2003. The role of weeds supporting biological diversity within crop fields. Weed Research. 43: 77-89.

16- Midmore, D. J. 1993. Agronomic modification of resource use and intercrop productivity. Field Crops Research. 34: 358–380.

17- Nassiri, M. and A. Elgersma. 1998. Competition in perennial ryegrass- white clover mixtures under cutting. 2. leaf characteristics, light interception and dry matter production during regrowth. Grass and Forage Science. 53: 367-379.

18- Nassiri, M., A. Elgersma, and E. A. Lantinga. 1996. Vertical distribution of leaf area, dry matter and radiation in grass clover mixture. In: Parente, G., J. Frame, and S. Orsi, (Eds), Grass land and land use systems, Proceedings of 16th meeting of the European Grassland Federation. 1: 269-274.

19- Ozier-Lafontaine, H., G. Vercambe, and R. Tournebize. 1997. Radiation and transpiration partitioning in a maize–sorghum intercrop: test and evaluation of two models. Field Crops Research. 49:127–145.

20- Sun, S. G., M., Jividen, W. H. Wessling, and M. L. Ervin. 1978. Cotton cultivar and boll maturity effect on aflatoxin production. Crop Science. 18:224-227.

21- Booth, B. D., S.D. Murphy, and C. J. Swanton. 2003. Weed Ecology in Natural and Agricultural Systems.CAB International Publishing. 312 P.

22- Tsubo, M., and S. Walker. 2002. A model of radiation interception and use by a maiz/bean intercrop canopy. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 110:203-215.

23- Zhang, L., W. van der Werf, L. Bastiaans, S. Zhang, B. Li, and J. H. J. Spiertz. 2008. Light interception and utilization in relay intercrops of wheat and cotton. Field Crops Research.107: 29–42.