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Related Experiment Video

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An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

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Optimizing Row Ratio Configurations for Enhanced Productivity and Resource-Use Efficiency in Maize-Alfalfa

Zeqiang Shao¹, Shiqiang Hu¹, Chunying Fan²

¹College of Resource and Environment Engineering, Jilin University of Chemical Technology, Jilin 132022, China.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

|December 31, 2025

Summary

The 2:2 maize-alfalfa intercropping ratio optimizes resource use and yield, outperforming monocropping and other ratios by enhancing complementarity and reducing competition for sustainable agriculture. This ratio boosts land productivity significantly.

Keywords:

competitive interaction crop yield forage production intercropping resource use efficiency

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Area of Science:

Agronomy
Plant Science
Sustainable Agriculture

Background:

Maize-alfalfa intercropping is a key practice in Northeast China for enhancing land productivity and forage output.
Crop competition in intercropping systems can limit overall system performance, necessitating optimization of row ratios.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the impact of various maize-alfalfa row ratios on resource-use efficiency, physiological characteristics, and yield.
To identify the optimal intercropping configuration for maximizing system performance and sustainability.

Main Methods:

Field experiments were conducted using six maize-alfalfa row ratios (1:1, 2:1, 2:2, 3:1, 3:2, 3:3) and monocropping controls.
Measurements included physiological traits (photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content), plant height, and yield components.
Resource-use efficiency was assessed using Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Land Equivalent Coefficient (LEC), System Productivity Index (SPI), and Crowding Index (K).

Main Results:

The 2:2 row ratio demonstrated superior performance across most intercropping configurations, showing enhanced complementarity and land-use efficiency.
While monocropping yielded higher individual crop values, the 2:2 intercropping system achieved a cumulative yield increase of 55% over alfalfa monocropping and 56-57% over maize monocropping.
Physiological indicators like photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content were highest under the 2:2 ratio for both crops. Alfalfa yield peaked at 2:2, while maize yield was highest at 3:1.

Conclusions:

The 2:2 maize-alfalfa row ratio is optimal for intercropping, balancing reduced competition with enhanced complementarity.
This configuration offers a more efficient and sustainable strategy for maize-alfalfa intercropping, significantly improving land productivity.
The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing intercropping systems in similar agricultural contexts.