Please wait a minute...
Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2019, Vol. 18 Issue (8): 1690-1700    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62648-1
Special Focus: Science and Technology Backyard Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Effect of intercropping on maize grain yield and yield components
HUANG Cheng-dong1, 2, LIU Quan-qing3, LI Xiao-lin1, 2, ZHANG Chao-chun1, 2  
1 College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R.China
2 Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R.China
3 Institute of Agricultural Resources & Environment, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050051, P.R.China
Download:  PDF in ScienceDirect  
Export:  BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)      
Abstract  
Smallholders in developing countries commonly use intercropping to produce crops with higher yield and value.  Many intercropping studies have been conducted under experimental conditions, but few studies have been performed in farmers’ fields.  We conducted a 4-year study using data from real farms to examine the relationships between yield and yield components of intercropped maize in the North China Plain.  Three field experiments were conducted to compare the suitability of different maize varieties in intercropping.  In the farm study, the grain yield of maize intercropped with watermelon was reduced by more than one third as compared to maize in wheat-maize double cropping, mainly due to lower ear density and lower 100-grain weight.  Under real farm conditions, the yield of intercropped maize increased with increasing ear density and 100-grain weight, while yield of sole maize increased with increasing grain number per ear and 100-grain weight.  In the field experiments, the maize cultivars commonly used in double cropping gave similar yields when grown in the intercropping system and their yields were closely related to ear density and 100-grain weight.  Our results demonstrated that ear density, rather cultivar, was a key factor affecting the productivity of intercropped maize.  Therefore, maintaining high ear density is a practical way for promoting productivity of maize in farmers’ intercropping practices.
Keywords:  maize        ear density        intercropping        double cropping        cultivars   
Received: 12 June 2019   Accepted:
Fund: This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFD0200107, 2016YFE0101100 and 2017YFD0200207) and the National Basic Research Prgram of China (973 Program) (2015CB150400).
Corresponding Authors:  Correspondence ZHANG Chao-chun, Tel: +86-10-62734676, Fax: +86-10-62731016, E-mail: zhangcc@cau.edu.cn   

Cite this article: 

HUANG Cheng-dong, LIU Quan-qing, LI Xiao-lin, ZHANG Chao-chun. 2019. Effect of intercropping on maize grain yield and yield components. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 18(8): 1690-1700.

Agegnehu G, Ghizaw A, Sinebo W. 2006. Yield performance and land-use efficiency of barley and faba bean mixed cropping in Ethiopian highlands. European Journal of Agronomy, 25, 202–207.
van Asten P J A, Wairegi L W I, Mukasa D, Uringi N O. 2011. Agronomic and economic benefits of coffee–banana intercropping in Uganda’s smallholder farming systems. Agricultural Systems, 104, 326–334.
Chen X P, Cui Z L, Vitousek P M, Cassman K G, Matson P A, Bai J S, Meng Q F, Hou P, Yue S C, Römheld V, Zhang F S. 2011. Integrated soil-crop system management for food security. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108, 6399–6404.
Chu G X, Shen Q R, Cao J L. 2004. Nitrogen fixation and N transfer from peanut to rice cultivated in aerobic soil in an intercropping system and its effect on soil N fertility. Plant and Soil, 263, 17–27.
Cui Z, Zhang H, Chen X, Zhang C, Ma W, Huang C, Zhang W, Mi G, Miao Y, Li X, Gao Q, Yang J, Wang Z, Ye Y, Guo S, Lu J, Huang J, Lv S, Liu Y, Peng X, et al. 2018. Pursuing sustainable productivity with millions of smallholder farmers. Nature, 555, 363–366.
Dai J R, Zhu E L. 2010. Scientific and technological innovation of maize breeding in China. Journal of Maize Sciences, 18, 1–5. (in Chinese)
Davis J H C, Garcia S. 1983. Competitive ability and growth habit of indeterminate beans and maize for intercropping. Field Crops Research, 6, 59–75.
Davis J H C, Woolley J N. 1993. Genotypic requirement for intercropping. Field Crops Research, 34, 407–430.
Ding S, Su P. 2010. Effects of tree shading on maize crop within a poplar-maize compound system in Hexi Corridor oasis, northwestern China. Agroforestry Systems, 80, 117–129.
Fan Z, An T, Wu K, Zhou F, Zi S, Yang Y, Xue G, Wu B. 2016. Effects of intercropping of maize and potato on sloping land on the water balance and surface runoff. Agricultural Water Management, 166, 9–16.
Fu J. 2009. Selection and evaluation on maize (Zea Mays L.) shade-tolerance indexes. MSc thesis, Henan Agricultural University, China. (in Chinese)
Fukai S, Trenbath B R. 1993. Processes determining intercrop productivity and yields of component crops. Field Crops Research, 34, 247–271.
Gao Y, Duan A, Qiu X, Sun J, Zhang J, Liu H, Wang H. 2010. Distribution and use efficiency of photosynthetically active radiation in strip intercropping of maize and soybean. Agronomy Journal, 102, 1149–1157.
Gao Y, Duan A, Sun J, Li F, Liu Z, Liu H, Liu Z. 2009. Crop coefficient and water-use efficiency of winter wheat/spring maize strip intercropping. Field Crops Research, 111, 65–73.
Gou F, van Ittersum M K, Wang G, van der Putten P E L, van der Werf W. 2016. Yield and yield components of wheat and maize in wheat-maize intercropping in the Netherlands. European Journal of Agronomy, 76, 17–27.
Gou F, van Ittersum M K, van der Werf W. 2017a. Simulating potential growth in a relay-strip intercropping system: Model description, calibration and testing. Field Crops Research, 200, 122–142.
Gou F, Yin W, Hong Y, van der Werf W, Chai Q, Heerink N, van Ittersum M K. 2017b. On yield gaps and yield gains in intercropping: Opportunities for increasing grain production in northwest China. Agricultural Systems, 151, 96–105.
Hauggaard-Nielsen H, Jensen E S. 2001. Evaluating pea and barley cultivars for complementarity in intercropping at different levels of soil N availability. Field Crops Research, 72, 185–196.
Huang C, Liu Q, Gou F, Li X, Zhang C, van der Werf W, Zhang F. 2017. Plant growth patterns in a tripartite strip relay intercrop are shaped by asymmetric aboveground competition. Field Crops Research, 201, 41–51.
Huang C, Liu Q, Heeink N, Stomph T J, Li B, Liu R, Zhang H, Wang C, Li X, Zhang C, van der Werf W, Zhang F. 2015. Economic performance and sustainability of a novel intercropping system on the North China Plain. PLoS ONE, 10, e0135518.
Huang C, Liu Q, Li H, Li X, Zhang C, Zhang F. 2018. Optimised sowing date enhances crop resilience towards size-asymmetric competition and reduces the yield difference between intercropped and sole maize. Field Crops Research, 217, 125–133.
Jurik T W, Van K. 2004. Microenvironment of a corn-soybean-oat strip intercrop system. Field Crops Research, 90, 335–349.
Kermah M, Franke A C, Adjei-Nsiah S, Ahiabor B D K, Abaidoo R C, Giller K E. 2017. Maize-grain legume intercropping for enhanced resource use efficiency and crop productivity in the Guinea savanna of northern Ghana. Field Crops Research, 213, 38–50.
Knörzer H, Graeff-Hönninger S, Guo B, Wang P, Claupein W. 2009. The rediscovery of intercropping in China: A traditional cropping system for future Chinese agriculture - A review. In: Lichtfouse L, ed., Climate Change, Intercropping, Pest Control and Beneficial Microorganisms. Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht. pp. 13–44.
Li L, Li S M, Sun J H, Zhou L L, Bao X G, Zhang H G, Zhang F S. 2007. Diversity enhances agricultural productivity via rhizosphere phosphorus facilitation on phosphorus-deficient soils. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 104, 11192–11196.
Li L, Sun J, Zhang F, Li X, Rengel Z, Yang S. 2001a. Wheat/maize or wheat/soybean strip intercropping: II: Recovery or compensation of maize and soybean after wheat harvesting. Field Crops Research, 71, 173–181.
Li L, Sun J, Zhang F, Li X, Yang S, Rengel Z. 2001b. Wheat/maize or wheat/soybean strip intercropping: I: Yield advantage and interspecific interactions on nutrients. Field Crops Research, 71, 123–137.
Li L, Tilman D, Lambers H, Zhang F S. 2014. Plant diversity and overyielding: Insights from belowground facilitation of intercropping in agriculture. New Phytologist, 203, 63–69.
Li L, Zhang L, Zhang F. 2013. Crop mixtures and the mechanisms of overyielding. In: Encyclopedia of Biodiversity. 2nd ed. Academic Press, Waltham. pp. 382–395.
Li L, Zhang W, Zhang L. 2016. How above- and below-ground interspecific interactions between intercropped species contribute to overyielding and efficient resource utilization. A review of research in China. In: Luo S, Gliessman S R, eds., Agroecology in China: Science, Practice, and Sustainable Management. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA. pp. 39–59.
Li Q S, Wu L K, Chen J, Khan M A, Luo X M, Lin W X. 2016. Biochemical and microbial properties of rhizospheres under maize/peanut intercropping. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 15, 101–110.
Lithourgidis A S, Dordas C A, Damalas C A, Vlachostergios D N. 2011. Annual intercrops: An alternative pathway for sustainable agriculture. Australian Journal of Crop Science, 5, 396–410.
Loreau M, Hector A. 2001. Partitioning selection and complementarity in biodiversity experiments. Nature, 412, 72–76.
Mao L, Zhang L, Li W, van der Werf W, Sun J, Spiertz H, Li L. 2012. Yield advantage and water saving in maize/pea intercrop. Field Crops Research, 138, 11–20.
Martin-Guay M O, Paquette A, Dupras J, Rivest D. 2018. The new Green Revolution: sustainable intensification of agriculture by intercropping. Science of the Total Environment, 615, 767–772.
Mucheru-Muna M, Pypers P, Mugendi D, Kung’u J, Mugwe J, Merckx R, Vanlauwe B. 2010. A staggered maize-legume intercrop arrangement robustly increases crop yields and economic returns in the highlands of Central Kenya. Field Crops Research, 115, 132–139.
Mushagalusa G N, Ledent J F, Draye X. 2008. Shoot and root competition in potato/maize intercropping: Effects on growth and yield. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 64, 180–188.
Ofori F, Stern W R. 1986. Maize/cowpea intercrop system: Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on productivity and efficiency. Field Crops Research, 14, 247–261.
Ofori F, Stern W R. 1987. The combined effects of nitrogen fertilizer and density of the legume component on production efficiency in a maize/cowpea intercrop system. Field Crops Research, 16, 43–52.
Ouyang C, Wu K, An T, He J, Zi S, Yang Y, Wu B. 2017. Productivity, economic, and environmental benefits in intercropping of maize with chili and grass. Agronomy Journal, 109, 2407–2414.
Pelzer E, Bazot M, Makowski D, Corre-Hellou G, Naudin C, Al Rifaï M, Baranger E, Bedoussac L, Biarnès V, Boucheny P, Carrouée B, Dorvillez D, Foissy D, Gaillard B, Guichard L, Mansard M C, Omon B, Prieur L, Yvergniaux M, Justes E, et al. 2012. Pea-wheat intercrops in low-input conditions combine high economic performances and low environmental impacts. European Journal of Agronomy, 40, 39–53.
Petr J, ?erný V, Hruška L. 1988. Yield Formation in the Main Field Crops. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam. pp. 90–91.
Rusinamhodzi L, Corbeels M, Nyamangara J, Giller K E. 2012. Maize-grain legume intercropping is an attractive option for ecological intensification that reduces climatic risk for smallholder farmers in central Mozambique. Field Crops Research, 136, 12–22.
Smith M E, Zobel R W. 1991. Plant genetic interactions in alternative cropping systems: Considerations for breeding methods. In: Plant Breeding and Sustainable Agriculture: Considerations for Objectives and Methods. Crop Science Society of America, Madison, WI.  pp. 57–81.
Trenbath B R. 1993. Intercropping for the management of pests and diseases. Field Crops Research, 34, 381–405.
Vandermeer J. 1989. The Ecology of Intercropping. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Wang Y, Zhao Z, Li J, Zhang M, Zhou S, Wang Z, Zhang Y. 2017. Does maize hybrid intercropping increase yield due to border effects? Field Crops Research, 214, 283–290.
Wang Z, Zhao X, Wu P, Chen X. 2015. Effects of water limitation on yield advantage and water use in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/maize (Zea mays L.) strip intercropping. European Journal of Agronomy, 71, 149–159.
Wu Y S, Yang F, Gong W Z, Ahmed S, Fan Y F, Wu X L, Yong T W, Liu W G, Shu K, Liu J, Du J B, Yang W Y. 2017. Shade adaptive response and yield analysis of different soybean genotypes in relay intercropping systems. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 16, 1331–1340.
Yildirim E, Guvenc I. 2005. Intercropping based on cauliflower: More productive, profitable and highly sustainable. European Journal of Agronomy, 22, 11–18.
Yin W, Yu A, Chai Q, Hu F, Feng F, Gan Y. 2015. Wheat and maize relay-planting with straw covering increases water use efficiency up to 46%. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 35, 815–825.
Yong T W, Chen P, Dong Q, Du Q, Yang F, Wang X C, Liu W G, Yang W Y. 2018. Optimized nitrogen application methods to improve nitrogen use efficiency and nodule nitrogen fixation in a maize-soybean relay intercropping system. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 17, 664–676.
Yu Y, Stomph T J, Makowski D, van der Werf W. 2015. Temporal niche differentiation increases the land equivalent ratio of annual intercrops: a meta-analysis. Field Crops Research, 184, 133–144.
Zhang F, Li L. 2003. Using competitive and facilitative interactions in intercropping systems enhances crop productivity and nutrient-use efficiency. Plant and Soil, 248, 305–312.
Zhang L, van der Werf W, Bastiaans L, Zhang S, Li B, Spiertz J H J. 2008. Light interception and utilization in relay intercrops of wheat and cotton. Field Crops Research, 107, 29–42.
Zhang W, Cao G, Li X, Zhang H, Wang C, Liu Q, Chen X, Cui Z, Shen J, Jiang R, Mi G, Miao Y, Zhang F, Dou Z. 2016. Closing yield gaps in China by empowering smallholder farmers. Nature, 537, 671–674.
Zhu Y, Chen H, Fan J, Wang Y, Li Y, Chen J, Fan J, Yang S, Hu L, Leung H, Mew T W, Teng P S, Wang Z, Mundt C C. 2000. Genetic diversity and disease control in rice. Nature, 406, 718–722.
Zuo Y M, Zhang F S, Li X L, Cao Y P. 2000. Studies on the improvement in iron nutrition of peanut by intercropping with maize on a calcareous soil. Plant and Soil, 220, 13–25.
 
[1] Lichao Zhai, Shijia Song, Lihua Zhang, Jinan Huang, Lihua Lv, Zhiqiang Dong, Yongzeng Cui, Mengjing Zheng, Wanbin Hou, Jingting Zhang, Yanrong Yao, Yanhong Cui, Xiuling Jia. Subsoiling before winter wheat alleviates the kernel position effect of densely grown summer maize by delaying post-silking root–shoot senescence[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(9): 3384-3402.
[2] Ling Ai, Ju Qiu, Jiuguang Wang, Mengya Qian, Tingting Liu, Wan Cao, Fangyu Xing, Hameed Gul, Yingyi Zhang, Xiangling Gong, Jing Li, Hong Duan, Qianlin Xiao, Zhizhai Liu. A naturally occurring 31 bp deletion in TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 causes branched ears in maize[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(9): 3322-3333.
[3] Dan Lü, Jianxin Li, Xuehai Zhang, Ran Zheng, Aoni Zhang, Jingyun Luo, Bo Tong, Hongbing Luo, Jianbing Yan, Min Deng. Genetic analysis of maize crude fat content by multi-locus genome-wide association study[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(7): 2475-2491.
[4] Lihua Xie, Lingling Li, Junhong Xie, Jinbin Wang, Zechariah Effah, Setor Kwami Fudjoe, Muhammad Zahid Mumtaz. A suitable organic fertilizer substitution ratio stabilizes rainfed maize yields and reduces gaseous nitrogen loss in the Loess Plateau, China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(6): 2138-2154.
[5] Chunxiang Li, Yongfeng Song, Yong Zhu, Mengna Cao, Xiao Han, Jinsheng Fan, Zhichao Lü, Yan Xu, Yu Zhou, Xing Zeng, Lin Zhang, Ling Dong, Dequan Sun, Zhenhua Wang, Hong Di. GWAS analysis reveals candidate genes associated with density tolerance (ear leaf structure) in maize (Zea mays L.)[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(6): 2046-2062.
[6] Huairen Zhang, Tauseef Taj Kiani, Huabang Chen, Juan Liu, Xunji Chen. Genome wide association analysis reveals multiple QTLs controlling root development in maize [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(5): 1656-1670.
[7] Xiaoxia Guo, Wanmao Liu, Yunshan Yang, Guangzhou Liu, Bo Ming, Ruizhi Xie, Keru Wang, Shaokun Li, Peng Hou. Matching the light and nitrogen distributions in the maize canopy to achieve high yield and high radiation use efficiency[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(4): 1424-1435.
[8] Lanjie Zheng, Qianlong Zhang, Huiying Liu, Xiaoqing Wang, Xiangge Zhang, Zhiwei Hu, Shi Li, Li Ji, Manchun Ji, Yong Gu, Jiaheng Yang, Yong Shi, Yubi Huang, Xu Zheng. Fine mapping and discovery of MIR172e, a candidate gene required for inflorescence development and lower floret abortion in maize ear[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(4): 1372-1389.
[9] Yang Wang, Chunhua Mu, Xiangdong Li, Canxing Duan, Jianjun Wang, Xin Lu, Wangshu Li, Zhennan Xu, Shufeng Sun, Ao Zhang, Zhiqiang Zhou, Shenghui Wen, Zhuanfang Hao, Jienan Han, Jianzhou Qu, Wanli Du, Fenghai Li, Jianfeng Weng. A genome-wide association study and transcriptome analysis reveal the genetic basis for the Southern corn rust resistance in maize[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(2): 453-466.
[10] Yulong Wang, Aizhong Yu, Pengfei Wang, Yongpan Shang, Feng Wang, Hanqiang Lü, Xiaoneng Pang, Yue Li, Yalong Liu, Bo Yin, Dongling Zhang, Jianzhe Huo, Keqiang Jiang, Qiang Chai. No-tillage with total green manure mulching increases maize yield through improved soil moisture and temperature environment and enhanced maize root structure and photosynthetic capacity[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(11): 4211-4224.
[11] Hong Ren, Zheng Liu, Xinbing Wang, Wenbin Zhou, Baoyuan Zhou, Ming Zhao, Congfeng Li. Long-term excessive nitrogen application decreases spring maize nitrogen use efficiency via suppressing root physiological characteristics[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(11): 4195-4210.
[12] Tianqi Wang, Jihui Tian, Xing Lu, Chang Liu, Junhua Ao, Huafu Mai, Jinglin Tan, Bingbing Zhang, Cuiyue Liang, Jiang Tian. Soybean variety influences the advantages of nutrient uptake and yield in soybean/maize intercropping via regulating root-root interaction and rhizobacterial composition[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(10): 4048-4062.
[13] Fei Bao, Ping Zhang, Qiying Yu, Yunfei Cai, Bin Chen, Heping Tan, Hailiang Han, Junfeng Hou, Fucheng Zhao. Response of fresh maize yield to nitrogen application rates and  characteristics of nitrogen-efficient varieties[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(10): 3803-3818.
[14] Xin Dong, Baole Li, Zhenzhen Yan, Ling Guan, Shoubing Huang , Shujun Li, Zhiyun Qi, Ling Tang, Honglin Tian, Zhongjun Fu, Hua Yang. Impacts of high temperature, relative air humidity, and vapor pressure deficit on the seed set of contrasting maize genotypes during flowering[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(9): 2955-2969.
[15] Peng Liu, Langlang Ma, Siyi Jian, Yao He, Guangsheng Yuan, Fei Ge, Zhong Chen, Chaoying Zou, Guangtang Pan, Thomas Lübberstedt, Yaou Shen. Population genomic analysis reveals key genetic variations and the driving force for embryonic callus induction capability in maize[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2024, 23(7): 2178-2195.
No Suggested Reading articles found!