Environmental Interactions between Different Tree Species and Mung Bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) in Hedgerow Intercropping Systems in Sri Lanka

Annual crops grown in association with contour hedgerows often show yield reductions. This paper quantifies the variation of above- and below-ground environmental factors in hedgerow intercrops involving six different tree species ( Calliandra calothyrus , Desmodium ransonii , Flemingia c ongesta , Gliricidia sepium , Cassia spectabilis and Tithonia diversifolia ) and thereby shows the effects of tree hedges on mung bean ( Vigna radiata ). Compared to a sole crop of mung bean, most hedgerow intercrops removed greater soil nitrogen, whereas all removed lower soil phosphorus. Mung bean closer to the hedgerows had lower N and P, indicating competitive capture of nutrients by hedges. Most hedgerow intercrops had greater top-soil water because of their shading effect, especially near hedgerows. However, greater absorption by tree root systems decreased subsoil water near hedgerows late in the season. Soil temperature was lower in most hedgerow intercrops than in the control and increased with increasing distance from hedges. During initial stages of mung bean growth, radiation interception of intercrops was greater than that of the control, especially closer to hedgerows. However, after the first month, radiation interception of the sole crop was either equal to or greater than that of hedgerow intercrops. There was significant variation between tree species in all these environmental factors. Gliricidia , which allowed greater mung bean yields, also allowed greater nutrient capture by mung bean, greater top-soil water availability, lower extraction of subsoil water and lower soil temperatures.     

Yield and Yield Components from Intercropping Improved Bush Bean Cultivars with Maize

Bush bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is widely intercropped with maize ( Zea mays L.) in North-west Spain. Little information is available on the relative performance of elite bush bean cultivars when intercropped or on the effect of bush bean on performance of the maize crop. This two-environment study presents the interactions between improved bush bean cultivars and maize on yield and yield components. Eight treatments (four bean/maize intercrops and four sole crops, two of bean and two of maize) were tested using a randomized complete block design with four replications in two environments. Bean and maize were planted simultaneously in alternate rows when intercropped. Significant treatment differences were observed for bean and maize moisture, pod and cob percentage, bean and maize yield, ears per plant and ear length. Location effects were significant for bean and maize moisture and pod percentage. Significant treatment by location interactions occurred for pod percentage and ear length. Intercropping reduced yield by between 40 and 60 % for bush bean cultivars, and by 45 % for both maize cultivars. Mean yields were used to calculate the land equivalent ratio (LER), which averaged 1.01 in Pontevedra but 0.93 in La Coruña. Intercropping of bush bean with maize did not make better use of land than conventional sole cropping under these environmental conditions. It is suggested that this was probably due to the amount and distribution of rain in relation to crop growth. Approaches that might be expected to result in improved land usage are presented.     

Effects of Irrigation at Different Growth Stages on Vegetative Growth of Mung Bean, Vigna Radiata (L.) Wilczek, in Dry and Intermediate Zones of Sri Lanka

Mung bean crops in the subhumid zones of Sri Lanka experience significant drought periods. The objective of this study was to quantify the growth response of mung bean to irrigation at different phenological stages and thereby determine the optimum irrigation regime to maximize growth. Four field experiments were conducted at two sites in 1995 and 1996. The crop duration of mung bean was divided into three stages: vegetative (from germination to appearance of first flower), flowering (from appearance of first flower to 75 % pod initiation) and pod-filling (from 75 % pod initiation to maturity). Eight treatments were devised to represent all possible combinations of irrigation at the three stages. Maximum leaf area index (ranging from 0.6 to 2.6 across treatments) and total leaf area duration were increased significantly by irrigation during the vegetative stage. Specific leaf weight decreased and maximum total crop biomass (150–400 g m⁻²) increased with the number of stages irrigated. Irrigation decreased the absolute root biomass and increased the shoot:root ratio. It is concluded that, in this agroclimatic zone of Sri Lanka, irrigation of mung bean during the vegetative stage is critical for maximizing leaf area. However, biomass production can be maximized by increasing the number of stages irrigated irrespective of irrigation at any specific stage.     

Effects of Bean Population and Row Arrangement on the Productivity of Chilli/Dwarf Bean (Capsicum annuum/Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Intercropping in Sri Lanka

Intercropping of chilli ( Capsicum annuum ) and dwarf bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) is a recently adopted practice by farmers in Sri Lanka. As chilli fetches a higher market price, the bean population which could be incorporated into a 100% population of chilli has to be found. In the present experiment, effects of three bean populations (100, 75 and 50% of sole crop population 250 000 pl ha⁻¹) and four row arrangements (1:1, 1:2, 2:1 and 2:2) were tested at Kundasale, Sri Lanka. The land equivalent ratio (LER) of all intercrops were significantly greater than one, indicating a greater productivity per unit land area in intercropping than sole cropping. At 100% and 75% bean populations, LER and intercrop yields of bean were significantly greater than at 50%. Row arrangement did not have a significant effect on either LER or bean yield in intercrops. Intercrop bean yields were lower than sole bean yields indicating significant competition from chilli. Chilli yields were not affected by either bean population or row arrangement. Intercrop chilli yields were greater than the sole chilli yield indicating significant positive effects from bean. Greater radiation interception and lower weed growth and the absence of overlap between yield formation periods of the two component crops were probably responsible for the greater productivity (LER) of intercrops.     

Effects of Irrigation at Different Growth Stages and Source-Sink Manipulations on Yield and Yield Components of Mung Bean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, in Dry and Intermediate Zones of Sri Lanka

Irrigation is a management option available to farmers in the subhumid zones of Sri Lanka to increase mung bean yields during the dry Yala season. The objective of this study was to quantify the yield gain in response to irrigation at different stages of the crop and thereby determine the most suitable stage/s of irrigation. Four field experiments were conducted during Yala in 1995 and 1996 at two sites, Maha-Illuppallama (MI) and Kundasale (KS). Eight irrigation regimes consisting of all possible combinations of irrigation at three growth stages of the crop were defined. The respective growth stages were vegetative (from germination to appearance of first flower), flowering (from appearance of first flower to 75 % pod initiation) and pod-filling (from 75 % pod initiation to maturity). The treatments which received irrigation during two or more stages had significantly higher yields (793–1396 kg ha⁻¹) than those which received irrigation during only one stage (401–756 kg ha⁻¹) with the lowest yield being shown by the rain-fed treatment (227–396 kg ha⁻¹). When at least two stages can be irrigated, irrigation during the flowering and pod-filling stages was most effective. Irrigation during flowering produced the highest yield gain when only one stage could be irrigated. Seed yield showed a strong positive correlation with number of pods m^−2. Fifity per cent de-podding caused yield reductions at both sites, indicating sink limitation. In contrast, 50 % defoliation reduced the yields only at MI where the number of pods m⁻² was greater than at KS. Hence, source limitation was present only when the number of pods was higher.     

Effect of density,cultivar and irrigation on spring sown monocrops and intercrops of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and faba beans (Vicia faba L.)

Spring-sown intercrops of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and faba beans (Vicia faba L.) were grown in three experiments at the University of Reading, UK. One wheat cultivar, Axona, and one (experiment 1) or two bean cultivars (experiments 2 and 3) Scirocco and Maris Bead, were grown as sole crops and intercrops at 50%, 75% and 100% recommended density. Experiments were rainfed but irrigation was an additional treatment in experiment 3. Biomass and seed yields of both wheat and faba beans were greater when monocropped than when intercropped. There was no evidence that radiation use efficiency (RUE) of intercrops was significantly different from sole crops. In all intercrops there was no significant effect of density on biomass, RUE or seed yield, though there were compensating changes in yield components. Seed yields of Maris Bead were significantly greater than Scirocco in experiment 3 but not experiment 2. There was no significant effect of irrigation on RUE or on wheat biomass and seed yield, but there was a trend for irrigation to increase faba bean biomass (P = 0.07) and seed yield (P = 0.06). With later sowing in experiments 2 and 3, time to harvest was shorter and wheat and bean biomass, seed yield and RUE were reduced. All land equivalent ratio (LER) values for both biomass (maximum 1.23) and seed yield (maximum 1.44) were greater than 1, with one exception in experiment 3, indicating that intercrops of wheat and faba beans make more effective use of land than equivalent sole crops. Partial LERs for faba beans were always lower than those of wheat. The tendency was for highest LERs to occur at 75% recommended density.     

Studies on Sowing Depth for Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), Faba Bean(Vicia faba L.) and Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) in a Mediterranean-type Environment of South-western Australia

Pulses such as chickpea, faba bean and lentil have hypogeal emergence and their cotyledons remain where the seed is sown, while only the shoot emerges from the soil surface. The effect of three sowing depths (2.5, 5 and 10 cm) on the growth and yield of these pulses was studied at three locations across three seasons in the cropping regions of south-western Australia, with a Mediterranean-type environment. There was no effect of sowing depth on crop phenology, nodulation or dry matter production for any species. Mean seed yields across sites ranged from 810 to 2073 kg ha⁻¹ for chickpea, 817–3381 kg ha⁻¹ for faba bean, and 1173–2024 kg ha⁻¹ for lentil. In general, deep sowing did not reduce seed yields, and in some instances, seed yield was greater at the deeper sowings for chickpea and faba bean. We conclude that the optimum sowing depth for chickpea and faba bean is 5–8 cm, and for lentil 4–6 cm. Sowing at depth may also improve crop establishment where moisture from summer and autumn rainfall is stored in the subsoil below 5 cm, by reducing damage from herbicides applied immediately before or after sowing, and by improving the survival of Rhizobium inoculated on the seed due to more favourable soil conditions at depth.     

Effect of Mulch from Selected Multipurpose Trees (MPTs) on Growth, Nitrogen Nutrition and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Leaf extracts and mulch from 14 multipurpose trees were used to test their effects on maize germination, growth and yield. Maize germination was significantly reduced by leaf extracts of all species with increasing extract concentration. The most drastic reductions were caused by Gliricidia sepium , Tetrapleura tetraptera , Lonchocarpus sireceus , Senna siamea and Leucaena leucocephala . Terminalia superba , Tetrapleura tetraptera , Pithecelobium dulce , Gliricidia sepium and Senna siamea significantly reduced maize root growth at the lowest extract concentration, while shoot length was most significantly reduced by Gliricidia sepium , Leucaena leucocephala , Alchornea coordifolia , Pithecelobium dulce , Terminalia superba , and Tetrapleura tetraptera at all concentrations. Growth of maize in pots and yield in the field were controlled by nitrogen supply and uptake. Fast-decomposing leaf material rich in nitrogen promoted growth and yield of maize. Thus Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium , both nitrogen-fixing legumes with high nitrogen contents and fast-decomposing leaf materials, significantly increased maize growth and yield. This suggests that the negative effects of leaf extracts observed in the laboratory are ecologically irrelevant in the field.     

Cover Crops for Saline Soils

A 3-year study was conducted in the Central Valley of California to evaluate 125 prospective winter-growing cover crops for growth and nitrogen productivity in saline soils. Soil saturation paste electrical conductivities (ECes) in the surface 15 cm averaged 7 dS  m⁻¹ at fall planting and 5.3 dS m⁻¹ at spring harvest dates of each experiment. Species evaluated varied substantially in plant height. In general, the tallest plants were the Brassica species, which consistently grew to over 1.4 m. Annual grasses (barley, rye, triticale and wheat) averaged about 1.0–1.3 m in each year. Of the legume species screened, heights were greatest for Hedysarum coronarium , Trifolium alexandrium , Vicia spp., and Medicago polymorpha and truncatula , averaging 59, 47, 39, 38 and 37 cm, respectively, over all experiments. About one third of the species screened produced crop cover in excess of 90 % in each year. Groups of plants with consistently high crop cover percentages included various species/accessions of Brassica , Hedysarum , annual grasses, cool-season annual medics, Medicago polymorpha and Medicago truncatula , and two annual clovers, Trifolium alexandrium cv 'Multicut' and rose clover, Trifolium hirtum cv 'Hykon.' Total above-ground plant dry weights were highest for Brassica spp., which produced twice as much biomass as the annual grass species, and roughly four times as much dry matter as any of the legume species. Hedysarum , Lana and Namoi woolypod vetch, purple vetch, berseem clover, and several of the annual medic species consistently had the highest biomass among the legumes.     

Modelling early growth under different sowing conditions: A tool to predict variations in intercrop early stages

Early growth is a critical phase of the crop cycle, which lasts from emergence to the beginning of competition between plants and is sensitive to sowing conditions and species characteristics. Providing tools to improve the management of this critical phase in intercrops is a challenge for agroecology as these cropping systems are the subject of renewed interest for their ability to maintain yields while requiring fewer inputs. The aim of the present study was to investigate variations in early growth under different sowing conditions in different species with contrasted seed and seedling characteristics (seed mass, hypogeal or epigeal emergence, and legume and non-legume species), especially species used as intercrops. Experiments were carried out in glasshouses using different sowing depths and levels of mineral nutrition, first for each species separately, then in mixed sowings. In the first set of experiments, biomass at emergence and relative growth rate after emergence were measured and then modelled as a function of seed mass, mineral nutrition, and time to emergence. Predictive equations were tested by comparing simulations with biomass measured in the second set of experiments, for two intercrops grown under varied sowing conditions. Finally, simulations were run to analyse variations in the early growth of two intercrops (durum wheat/pea or alfalfa) under a wider range of sowing conditions (seed mass, sowing depth, and with or without mineral nutrition). Biomass at emergence was positively correlated with seed mass, and in epigeal species, was also negatively impacted by time to emergence. Relative growth rate was highly stimulated by mineral nutrition whereas its response to time to emergence varied among species. The amount of seminal reserves at emergence (in hypogeal species) and the cotyledon specific mass (in epigeal species) were correlated with the establishment of the relative growth rate. When evaluated, the model was shown to satisfactorily predict the early growth of two intercrops. Used as a simulation tool, the model indicated that all the sowing techniques tested can have a major influence on total biomass and on the proportion of each component species when competition begins. This model can thus contribute to the management of sowing techniques for sole as well as combined crops whose effects are difficult to predict and are also difficult to analyse from field experiments alone because of the number of possible combinations and interactions.     

Intercropping for the Improvement of Sorghum Yield, Soil Fertility and Striga Control in the Subsistence Agriculture Region of Tigray (Northern Ethiopia)

Striga hermonthica is a major biotic constraint in the dry and less fertile areas of northern Ethiopia. Emphasis is being placed on improved cropping systems to address the interrelated problems of Striga and soil fertility decline. The potential benefits of intercropping were investigated at two sites representing different environments for crop yield improvement, soil fertility maintenance and Striga control. Ten food legume and oilseed crop species were compared in inter‐row arrangement with sorghum under non‐fertilized conditions. In most cases, there was no significant negative impact of intercropping on sorghum growth and development. Among the intercrops, two cowpea varieties – cv. TVU 1977 OD and cv. Blackeye bean – produced the highest supplemental yield of up to 329 and 623 kg ha^?1 grain and 608 and 1173 kg ha^?1 biomass at Adibakel and Sheraro respectively. Treatment differences on Striga infestation and measured soil fertility indicators were not significant. Nevertheless, valuable grain and biomass obtained from the legume intercrops, without seriously compromising sorghum yield, could offer multiple benefits as a source of protein, additional income, feeds for animals and manure in the subsistence agriculture regions of northern Ethiopia.     

Response of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) to an Increasing Natural Temperature Gradient under Different Crop Management Systems

Increasing temperatures pose a significant threat to crop production in the tropics. A field experiment was conducted with mung bean at three locations in Sri Lanka representing an increasing temperature gradient (24.4–30.1 °C) during two consecutive seasons to (i) determine the response of mung bean to increasing temperature and (ii) test a selected set of crop management practices aimed at decreasing essential inputs such as water, synthetic pesticides and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer. The control treatment (T₁) consisted of standard crop management including irrigation, chemical crop protection and inorganic fertilizer application. Adaptation system 1 (T₂) included mulching with rice straw at 8 t ha^?1 with 30 % less irrigation and crop protection and nutrient management as in T₁. Adaptation system 2 (T₃) included crop protection using a pretested integrated pest management package with water and nutrient management as in T₂. In adaptation system 3 (T₄), 25 % of the crop's nitrogen requirement was given as organic manure (compost) at 0.8 t ha^?1 while 75 % was given as inorganic fertilizer with water management and crop protection as in T₃. Durations of both pre‐ and post‐flowering phases were reduced with increasing temperature. In the warmer (25.4–30.1 °C) yala season, seed yield (Y) of T₁ decreased with increasing temperature at 366 kg ha^?1 °C^?1. However, in maha season, Y did not show a significant relationship across the narrower temperature gradient from 24.4 to 25.8 °C. Pooling the data from both seasons showed a second‐order polynomial response with an optimum temperature of 26.5 °C. In addition to shortened durations, reduced crop growth rates and reduced pod numbers per plant were responsible for yield reductions at higher temperatures. In yala, yields of all adaptation systems at all locations were on par with yields of the respective controls. Furthermore, yala yields of T₂ and T₃ were less sensitive than T₁ to increasing temperatures (265 and 288 kg ha^?1 °C^?1). In maha, T₃ and T₄ had greater yields than the control at the relatively cooler site while having lower yields than the control at the warmer site. Maha yields of T₂ were on par with the control at both temperature regimes. While demonstrating the significant temperature sensitivity of mung bean yields, results of the present work showed that components of the tested adaptation systems could be promoted among smallholder farmers in Asia, especially in view of their long‐term environmental benefits and contributions to sustainable agriculture in a warmer and drier future climate.     

Differential Drought Responses of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Inbred Lines

Drought responses of 19 inbred faba bean lines of different origin were studied in the field under rain shelters with and without irrigation. Inbred lines differed significantly in response to drought (P < 0.01): those with a lower drought sensitivity index (SI) (more resistant) originated from the drought-prone regions characterized by smaller plant size (r = 0.93), and more pods and seeds per plant (r ≥ 0.90) regardless of seed size, while lines with higher SI (more sensitive) were those which mainly exhibited higher yield under favourable conditions accompanied by a greater biomass. In a greenhouse experiment under mild drought (−0.15 MPa soil water potential), comparisons between relatively drought-sensitive (Adriewaalse) and drought-resistant (L7) inbred lines showed that Adriewaalse used 38 % more water than L7 and also produced 40 % more biomass. There was a stress-induced decrease in osmotic potential (ψ_s) in both lines (by 0.72 and 0.50 MPa for Adriewaalse and L7, respectively) accompanied by decreased turgor in Adriewaalse and increased turgor in L7. The difference in drought-induced solute accumulation between lines was diminished when solute accumulation due to water loss and growth inhibition was considered, which indicates that solute accumulation was the result of a concentration effect. Similarly, lower SI in the field was not the result of osmotic adjustment, as the relationship between SI and drought-induced decrease in ψ_s was negative. The water use efficiency of both inbred lines increased markedly with increasing water deficit, though there was no difference between the lines. It was concluded that differences in drought resistance between these inbred faba bean lines were manifested through plant size-induced water demand (avoidance) but were not associated with osmotic adjustment (tolerance).     

Genotype × cropping system interaction in climbing beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown as sole crop and in association with maize (Zea mays L.)

The selection of cultivars for the predominant cropping systems of small farms in the tropics depends to a large extent on the information obtained by testing their performance across the different systems. The main objective of this experiment was to measure the genotype × cropping system (G × CS) interaction for yield and selected agronomic traits of climbing beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown as sole crop and intercropped with two morphologically contrasting maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars. A secondary objective was to identify the most efficient and productive bean–maize intercrop combinations. Seven climbing bean genotypes were grown as sole crop and intercropped with two maize varieties, BH 140 (Mix. 1) and Guto (Mix. 2), in a factorial arranged Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at Bako Agricultural Research Center in western Ethiopia. Main effects due to genotype and cropping system (except days to flowering) were significant for all bean traits considered. The genotypes × cropping system interaction terms were also significant for the number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, harvest index and seed yield. While bean seed yield significantly correlated with the number of seeds per pod (in Mix. 1) and with harvest index (in both mixtures), positive and significant correlations occurred with the number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight under sole cropping system. The correlation between bean seed yields of Mix. 1 and Mix. 2 and between Mix. 2 and sole crop were positive and significant. No such relationship was found between Mix. 1 and sole crop. The results suggest that selection of suitable climbing bean cultivars for intercropping with maize varieties predominantly grown in the area should be made under the associated culture of the two crops. Intercropping contributed to a significant reduction in seed yield of the bean genotypes due mainly to its adverse effects on the numbers of pods per plant and seeds per pod. The index tLER₁ identified most bean–maize genotype combinations of Mix. 2 as biologically more efficient system than Mix. 1. On the other hand, tLER₂ values of more than 1.00 for all treatments of Mix. 2 demonstrated higher overall productivity of the intercrop system when the bean genotypes were grown in association with a late-maturing and high yielding maize hybrid BH 140.     

玉米–大豆带状套作行距配置对作物生物量、根系形态及产量的影响

空间配置是影响间作套种作物生长和产量构成的关键因素之一。本研究固定玉米–大豆套作带宽200 cm,玉米采用宽窄行种植,设置4个玉米窄行行距为20 cm(A1)、40 cm(A2)、60 cm(A3)和80 cm(A4)套作处理,2个玉米和大豆净作对照处理,研究行距配置对套作系统中玉米和大豆生物量、根系及产量的影响。结果表明,套作大豆冠层光合有效辐射和红光/远红光比值均低于净作,且随着玉米窄行的增加而降低。套作系统中大豆地上地下生物量、总根长、根表面积和根体积从第三节龄期(V3)到盛花期(R2)逐渐增加,但随着玉米窄行的增加而降低。套作玉米地上地下生物量从抽雄期到成熟期逐渐增加,根体积却逐渐降低,但这些参数随玉米窄行的变宽而增加。玉米和大豆在带状套作系统中产量均低于净作,且随玉米窄行的变宽,玉米产量逐渐增加,2012和2013两年最大值平均为6181 kg hm–2,而大豆产量逐渐降低,两年最大值平均为1434 kg hm–2,产量变化与有效株数和粒数变化密切相关。此外,玉米–大豆带状套作群体土地当量比(LER)大于1.3,最大值出现在A2处理,分别为1.59(2012年)和1.61(2013年),且最大经济收益也出现在A2处理(2年每公顷平均收益为1.93万元)。因此,合理的行距配置对玉米–大豆带状套作系统中作物的生长、产量构成和群体效益具有重要的作用。     

Impacts of long-term jujube tree/winter wheat–summer maize intercropping on soil fertility and economic efficiency—A case study in the lower North China Plain

Agroforesry is a common traditional practice in China, especially in the saline-alkaline regions, like the lower North China Plain (LNCP) characterized by lower yields of food crops. Adding trees to the agricultural land creates additional fruitsets or woody biomass besides food crops, enabling farmers to diversify the provision of farm commodities. However, the productivity of many agroforestry systems has been lower than expected in recent years, highlighting the need for a mechanistic understanding of below- or above-ground interactions. The study combined investigation and experimental data together to evaluate the effects of long-term intercropping agroforestry system [jujube tree (Zizyphus jujuba Mill. var. inermis (Bunge) Rehd.)/winter wheat–summer maize] on soil fertility balance, crop production and system economic efficiency over the past 22 years in LNCP, with a view to developing an effective fertilization management for the moderately alkaline soils. Except remain higher pH, the soils are basically free of sodic and soil salinity is not the major restriction factor for intercrops, even through there are some fluctuation with season and distance from jujube tree. The intercropping system significantly reduced soil nutrient contents, like soil organic C (SOC), total N (TN), available P (avail. P) and K (avail. K) in most parts of the ecotone of the system, but increased those nutrients in the belt of underneath the edge of tree canopy, The growth of intercrops at the belt of 3.5 m from tree was severely negative stressed by jujube tree in term of lower soil moisture, nitrate, avail. P and K although receiving more photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), whereas the winter wheat growing at the 2.5 m row had more water and nutrients supplied and thus produced more grain yield. Uneven fertilization to the ecotone (about 1–2.5 m of the intercrop field boundary) could partly offset the consumption and competition for nutrients between the tree and the intercrops, and improved the grain yields by 12.1% and 14.5% in the ecotone regions (distance from jujube trees) of 1.5 m for winter wheat and 2.5 m for summer maize by increasing respective yield components. Although the mean grain yield of intercropped winter wheat and summer maize was reduced by 35.6 and 35.2%, respectively, compared to sole cropping system, the intercropping system proved to be a profitable land use type based on net income and economic returns, in addition to the wood and ecological benefits of the jujube tree in the moderate desalinate- alkaline regions.     

Water Requirements for Castor Oil Crop (Ricinus communis L.) in a Mediterranean Climate

A field study was conducted to assess the effect of irrigation on castor ( Ricinus communis L.) and to define the water requirements of the crop. Three irrigation regimes, corresponding to 0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 fractions (kd) of the evapotranspiration (ETm) in the area were compared, factorially combined with the varieties Pronto and Negus in 1995. In 1996 and 1997 one more irrigation treatment corresponding to 0.75 of the ETm was included, and Negus was replaced by HD912. Irrigation was found necessary for castor production since seed and oil yields obtained with irrigation were much higher compared to yields of rainfed plants, and also castor could not be competitive to winter cereals in rainfed areas. In 1995 seed yield increased to kd = 1.0, but the response of both varieties was curvilinear. In 1996 kd = 0.50 was enough for the maximum yield by both varieties, while in 1997 higher amounts of water were needed (kd = 1.00 and 0.75 for Pronto and HD912, respectively). The beneficial effect of irrigation was mainly due to the increased number of secondary racemes. Oil yield was mainly determined by seed yield. Thus, the aim of the growers should be to increase the seed yield. The suggested amount of water for the irrigation of castor in the Northern Greece is equal to 75 % of the evapotranspiration of the plant in the area. With this amount the yield is satisfactory and the management of water resources is doing in a rational way.     

Results of Long-term Experiments with Growing Flue-cured Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) in Monoculture and Different Types of Crop Rotations

In broadly conceived long-term experiments, tobacco was grown in monoculture and with different crop rotations. This paper presents results in terms of the yields achieved and the major yield components for the crops grown, and the proportion of particular tobacco quality classes obtained. In addition to tobacco monoculture (initially only fertilized and later also unfertilized) as the key crop, different types of crop rotations included, besides tobacco, the following crops: winter wheat, maize, soybean, oil-seed rape, and red clover. Experiments involved two 2-year and two 4-year crop rotations, and a 3-year, a 5-year, and a 6-year crop rotation. Experiments were set up on luvic semigley on multilayered Pleistocene sands. Average 10-year results suggest that there is an advantage of crop rotation over monoculture for tobacco leaf yields. The influence of different crop rotation types on yields of other crops was variable, tending towards higher values as the number of crops in rotation was increased. Values obtained for yield components should be considered from two angles: some of the values were primarily influenced by genetic factors, while others were influenced by ecological factors, including crop rotation as an overall biological buffer. With regard to quality classes (IB-III), the growing of flue-cured tobacco in crop rotation represents a great advancement relative to its growth in monoculture, even in a narrower crop rotation.     

Assessment of irrigation scenarios to improve performances of Lingot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in southwest France

In the context of climate change, producing the same amount of food with less water has become a challenge all over the world. This is also true for the Lingot bean production in the area of Castelnaudary of southwest France where market competition with imported bean has made it crucial to achieve high yields to maintain production in the area. The use of an appropriate and robust crop model can help to identify crop management solutions to face such issues. We used SSM-legumes, a crop model generic to legume species, as well as field observations recorded over five years on eight farms of the Castelnaudary area to assess the effect of different irrigation scenarios on bean yield and water consumption. First, it was demonstrated that the SSM-legumes model is robust in simulating the development and growth of Lingot bean in non-stressed or moderately stressed conditions of this region regarding water and nutrient availability. Then, the use of the model to compare irrigation scenarios provided guidance on how to improve irrigation management for Lingot bean production. These results showed that farmers could achieve slightly higher yields with less water by basing irrigation decisions on the water content of the soil.     

A mathematical model for the evaluation of cooperation and competition effects in intercrops

Experimental results showing cooperation–competition interactions in dual-component crops for mixtures created from Pisum sativum L. (pea), Vicia sativa L. (spring vetch) and Linum usitatisimum L. (linseed) are studied by means of a mathematical model describing the plant interactions. The model introduces parameters enabling to distinguish competition and cooperation between the species in the crop. The model parameters are established on the basis of the entire vegetation period of plants, so they provide exhaustive characteristics of the plant interactions in the mixtures. The model factors allow the estimation of the mixtures with respect to the final biomass yield as well. The experimental data verify possible economic benefits from the proposed plant mixtures and allow to critically check the beliefs that legumes improve the field productivity. Additionally, for comparison with the biomass yield, the seed yield is analyzed in the respective crops. Especially, it is indicated that the increased biomass yield for linseed in the mixture with a leguminous plant is accompanied with a decrease of the seed yield for this species. As concerns pea in the mixture with linseed, a decrease in the pea biomass was registered when compared to the sole crop but at the same time an increase in the seed yield was achieved in the mixture. No influence on the biomass of the spring vetch was noticed when it was cultivated with linseed but its seed yield appeared to be diminished with respect to the sole crop.