Understanding Soil Carbon and Phosphorus Dynamics under Grass-Legume Intercropping in a Semi-Arid Region

An integrated forage-legume cropping system has immense potential to address the issue of land degradability. It provides a critical understanding capacity diversified species mixes vs. monocultures boost forage production and dynamics soil organic carbon (SOC) phosphorus (P). In this study, we assessed performance Napier Bajra Hybrid (NBH) (Pennisetum glaucum × P. purpureum) + cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) tri-specific hybrid (TSH) (P. purpureum squamulatum) cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) as compared NBH TSH. The legume equivalent yield TSH intercropping systems were found −31% −23% higher than monoculture systems. SOC increased by −5% in monoculture. mineralization rates under −32% −38% lower systems, respectively. was that intensification with significantly improved soil’s P status. research suggested coalescing diverse crops (e.g., grass legume) poses enormous for sustaining health productivity semi-arid regions India. This study advances on characterizing crucial factors grass-legume-based helps assessing impact these long-term sustainability.