Legume/corn intercropping - weeds (#journal)

Baby Corn-Legumes Intercropping System: II Weed Dynamics and Community Structure

Field experiments were conducted by Indian Statistical Institute on sandy loam soil. Randomized block design was followed to study the performance of sole and intercrops of legumes (Chickpea, Pea, Groundnut, Lentil) with baby corn in 2:1 (one row of legume planted in between of baby corn rows) and 2:2 (two rows of legume planted in between of baby corn rows) systems. Intercrops suppress weeds growth and population more than their respective sole crop. The intercropping systems of pea or chickpea with baby corn were most suppressive of weeds. The 2:2 row arrangement appeared to be the most weed competitive row arrangement. Intercropping of legumes suppressed the emergence of the most troublesome weeds in the study.

The future of legumes in Europe (#journal)

Legumes for feed, food, biomaterials and bioenergy in Europe: a review

Legume growing has many benefits; provision of plant proteins for animals and humans, fixation of atmospheric N₂, cheap and green N fertilisers, diversification crops in rotations based on oilseed rape and cereals. Yet legume crops in Europe represent less than 4 % of arable lands. The authors show that legumes can contribute to the agroecological transition for sustainable agriculture, food and energy and for sustainable agri-food systems. However high added-value niche markets are required for supporting legume production. The major research needs identified are (1) analysing the constraints of the current systems and identifying ways of moving towards systems that include more legumes, (2) identifying new and diversified uses for legumes in a sustainable food chain, (3) assessing and improving the ecosystem services provided by legumes at cropping system and territory scales and (4) promoting agroecology through and for legume crop management.

Winter legume rotation improves rice yield (#journal)

Winter legumes in rice crop rotations reduces nitrogen loss, and improves rice yield and soil nitrogen supply

Intensive irrigated rice-wheat crop systems have caused serious soil depletion and nitrogen loss in  China. A possible solution is the incorporation of legumes in rice, but little is known on the impact of legumes on rotation, soil fertility, and nitrogen loss. This study considered the effect of five rice-based rotations on soil nitrogen, rice yield, and runoff loss. Results show that replacing 9.5–21.4 % of nitrogen fertilizer by rape, vetch or bean residues maintained rice yields, and using legumes as a winter crop in rice-bean and rice-vetch combinations increased rice grain yield 5 % while decreasing nitrogen runoff 30–60 %.