Combining modeling and experimental approaches for developing rice-oil palm agroforestry systems

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Biology
• Climate Change Adaptation

Background:

• Monoculture systems in Southeast Asia face climate change challenges, causing significant losses in rice and oil palm production.
• Resilient agroforestry systems offer a potential solution for crop stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of rice-oil palm agroforestry systems using a combined modeling and experimental approach.
• To optimize intercropping designs for improved light conditions for rice cultivation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a functional-structural plant model of oil palm to optimize planting density and maximize light transmission for intercropped rice.
• Conducted indoor experiments simulating varying light intensity and diurnal fluctuations to evaluate rice accession responses.
• Assessed impacts on oil palm carbon assimilation and water use efficiency through simulations.

Main Results:

• Optimized intercropping designs increased light transmission for rice with minimal reduction in oil palm density, estimating less than 10% loss in oil palm productivity.
• Simulations indicated potential improvements in oil palm carbon assimilation and water use efficiency.
• Rice plant architecture was sensitive to light quantity, while yield components varied with light fluctuations, with diverse rice accession responses observed.

Conclusions:

• Rice-oil palm intercropping is a viable strategy to enhance agricultural resilience in Southeast Asia.
• Planting design optimization and selection of appropriate rice genotypes are crucial for successful implementation.
• This approach offers a pathway to mitigate climate change impacts on vital crop production systems.