Stem Density, Productivity, and Weed Community Dynamics in Corn-Alfalfa Intercropping

Intercropping legumes with cereals for forage production is a practical multi-cropping technique to increase yield and improve land use efficiency. In 3-year cropping sequence, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) intercropped corn (Zea mays may overall economic sustainability over either crop alone. The objective of this study was assess productivity corn-alfalfa intercropping system its effect on weed community. conducted near Boone, IA, USA, from 2016 2018 repeated 2017 2019 the five treatments: only, alfalfa, prohexadione (PHX) applied at V8 stage, spring-seeded (corn in seeding year followed by planting following year) productivity. Corn grain decreased 23 26% when alfalfa; PHX application did not affect or yield. Alfalfa stand density under reduced 36 68% compared alone year. first same among treatments sole alfalfa. However, had two three times less than other treatments. stem greater studies year, fewer stems successive years. strongly correlated density, height, stage harvest Weed inconsistently biomass. conclusion, establishing can skip low-yielding Based findings our experiment, future research should focus screening drought tolerant hybrids vigorous root systems. Using an early-maturing hybrid, coupled management practices such as appropriate N fertilization, chances success system.