Plant species-rich systems tend to be more productive than depauperate ones. In agroecosystems, increasing crop plant diversity by including legumes often increases soil nitrogen (N) and improves soil fertility; however, such generality in outcomes of non-leguminous crop mixture is unknown. Here, through a meta-analysis of 174 individual cases, we explored the current global research trend of intercropping of exclusively non-leguminous crops (ICnl) and quantified its effect on agroecosystem productivity key metrics, for example crop plant health, soil chemistry, and microbial community under diverse experimental conditions. ICnl increased plant biomass and disease suppression and provided a notable yield advantage over monocultures. In addition to phosphorus and potassium, ICnl also increased plant-available soil N, which, along with increased soil microbial abundance, was positively associated with increased soil organic matter. These positive effects were more pronounced in experiments with long duration (> 1 yr), field soil conditions, and soil pH > 7. ICnl improves several crop productivity metrics, which could augment sustainable crop production, particularly when practiced for a long duration and in alkaline soils.
- Klíčová slova
- intercropping, legumes, plant interspecific interaction, soil chemistry, soil microbial community, sustainable agriculture,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Climate change threatens global food and nutritional security through negative effects on crop growth and agricultural productivity. Many countries have adopted ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation targets that will exacerbate the problem, as they require significant changes in current agri-food systems. In this review, we provide a roadmap for improved crop production that encompasses the effective transfer of current knowledge into plant breeding and crop management strategies that will underpin sustainable agriculture intensification and climate resilience. We identify the main problem areas and highlight outstanding questions and potential solutions that can be applied to mitigate the impacts of climate change on crop growth and productivity. Although translation of scientific advances into crop production lags far behind current scientific knowledge and technology, we consider that a holistic approach, combining disciplines in collaborative efforts, can drive better connections between research, policy, and the needs of society.
