Articles
Optimizing intercropping systems through cultivar selection
Article number
1453_18
Pages
135 – 140
Language
English
Abstract
Intercropping is increasingly recognized as a keystone of sustainable agriculture, offering a range of ecological benefits such as enhanced biodiversity and improved ecosystem services.
In contrast to monoculture systems that heavily rely on synthetic inputs and can contribute to environmental degradation, intercropping is associated with lower input of agrochemicals while sustaining productivity.
This study investigated the performance of different combinations of Triticum aestivum cultivars (‘Elissavet’, ‘Flamenko’) and Pisum sativum cultivars (‘Furious’, ‘Arvika’) under two nitrogen regimes: zero fertilization and ammonium nitrate application.
The field experiment was conducted during the 2023-2024 growing season at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki’s experimental farm in northern Greece.
A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications was used.
Key agronomic, morphological, and physiological traits were recorded.
Among the combinations, ‘Flamenko’-‘Arvika’ exhibited the highest land equivalent ratio (LER) and monetary advantage index (MAI), suggesting excellent resource complementarity and economic returns.
The ‘Elissavet’-‘Furious’ mixture displayed the greatest intercropping advantage (IA), regardless of nitrogen treatment.
Results revealed that intercropping with selected pea cultivars can rival or surpass monoculture yields, while wheat generally performed better alone.
Most intercrop treatments surpassed a LER of 1, confirming their viability.
These findings emphasize the critical role of cultivar selection in developing high-yield, resource-efficient, and environmentally friendly intercropping systems.
In contrast to monoculture systems that heavily rely on synthetic inputs and can contribute to environmental degradation, intercropping is associated with lower input of agrochemicals while sustaining productivity.
This study investigated the performance of different combinations of Triticum aestivum cultivars (‘Elissavet’, ‘Flamenko’) and Pisum sativum cultivars (‘Furious’, ‘Arvika’) under two nitrogen regimes: zero fertilization and ammonium nitrate application.
The field experiment was conducted during the 2023-2024 growing season at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki’s experimental farm in northern Greece.
A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications was used.
Key agronomic, morphological, and physiological traits were recorded.
Among the combinations, ‘Flamenko’-‘Arvika’ exhibited the highest land equivalent ratio (LER) and monetary advantage index (MAI), suggesting excellent resource complementarity and economic returns.
The ‘Elissavet’-‘Furious’ mixture displayed the greatest intercropping advantage (IA), regardless of nitrogen treatment.
Results revealed that intercropping with selected pea cultivars can rival or surpass monoculture yields, while wheat generally performed better alone.
Most intercrop treatments surpassed a LER of 1, confirming their viability.
These findings emphasize the critical role of cultivar selection in developing high-yield, resource-efficient, and environmentally friendly intercropping systems.
Authors
F.S.A. Alexandrou, Α. Michalitsis, P. Papakaloudis, Ε. Deligiannis, C. Dordas
Keywords
yield, LER, ΜΙΑ, ΙΑ, mixture, biodiversity, sustainability
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