Yield prediction in intercropped versus monocropped citrus orchards

• Published in: Scientia horticulturae 2007-09, Vol.114 (1), p.67-70
• Main Authors: Srivastava, A.K., Huchche, A.D., Ram, Lallan, Singh, Shyam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; chickpeas; Cicer arietinum; Citrus; citrus fruits; copper; crop yield; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; data analysis; field crops; fruit crops; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Cropping systems and patterns; Glycine max; intercropping; iron; Mandarin; manganese; nitrogen; Non-linear regression models; Nutrients; nutritional status; phosphorus; plant nutrition; potassium; regression analysis; soil fertility; soybeans; Yield; zinc
• ISSN: 0304-4238; 1879-1018
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2007.05.005

Pooled data analysis for intercropped versus monocropped citrus orchards showed superiority of monocultured (68.5 kg tree −1) over intercropped (51.4 kg tree −1) orchards. But, intercrop specific analysis revealed that citrus orchards with legumes as intercrop (soybean and chickpea), produced significantly ( p < 0.05) higher fruit yield (72.2 kg tree −1) compared to orchards without intercrops (68.5 kg tree −1). These legume-based intercropped orchards maintained much higher levels of leaf nutrient (2.35% N, 0.13% P, 2.08% K, 86.5 ppm Fe, 71.1 ppm Mn, 22.2 ppm Cu, and 22.0 ppm Zn) than the orchards without intercrops (2.29% N, 0.13% P, 2.47% K, 79.2 ppm Fe, 63.8 ppm Mn, 21.7 ppm Cu, and 23.2 ppm Zn). Intercrop yield prediction through regression models in relation to leaf nutrient status were further investigated.