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Impact of Cereal–Legume Intercropping on Changes in Soil Nutrients Contents under Semi–Arid Conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Amal Attallah

    (Higher Institute of the Sciences and Techniques of Waters, Gabes University, Gabes 6029, Tunisia)

  • Wissem Hamdi

    (Higher Institute of the Sciences and Techniques of Waters, Gabes University, Gabes 6029, Tunisia)

  • Amira Souid

    (Higher Institute of the Sciences and Techniques of Waters, Gabes University, Gabes 6029, Tunisia)

  • Mohamed Farissi

    (Laboratory of Biotechnology & Sustainable Development of Natural Resources, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Beni-Mellal, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni-Mellal 23000, Morocco)

  • Boulbaba L’taief

    (Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 960, Abha 62223, Saudi Arabia)

  • Aimé J. Messiga

    (Agassiz Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agassiz, BC V0M1A0, Canada)

  • Nazih Y. Rebouh

    (Department of Environmental Management, Institute of Environmental Engineering, RUDN University, 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St., 117198 Moscow, Russia)

  • Salah Jellali

    (Center for Environmental Studies and Research, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud 123, Muscat, Oman)

  • Mohamed Faouzi Zagrarni

    (Higher Institute of the Sciences and Techniques of Waters, Gabes University, Gabes 6029, Tunisia)

Abstract

Cereal–legume intercropping systems are not well studied under the semi–arid conditions of Southern Tunisia. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of intercropping durum wheat ( Triticum turgidum ssp. durum L.) with chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) on crop grain yield and soil physicochemical proprieties such as carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) availability, microbial biomass nutrients (C and N) and plant nutrient content (N) in comparison to their monocultures. Field experiments were conducted during the 2020–2021 (EXP–A) and 2021–2022 (EXP–B) seasons in Medenine, Tunisia. The results revealed a significant augmentation ( p < 0.05) in the total nitrogen proportions (Ntot) within the soil of intercropped durum wheat (DuWh–IR) compared to its monoculture (DuWh–MC). The observed variations amounted to 32% and 29% during the two growing seasons, identified as EXP–A and EXP–B. Additionally, the soil of intercropped durum wheat (DuWh–IR) significantly ( p < 0.05) accumulated more total carbon (C tot ) than the monocrop (DuWh–MC) for both experiments, showing an increase of 27% in EXP–A and 24% in EXP–B. Simultaneously, the N− uptake of durum wheat significantly increased under the effect of intercropping, showing a rise of 26% in the EXP–A season and 21% in the EXP–B season. Similarly, the yield of durum wheat crops was comparatively greater in the intercropped plots as opposed to the monoculture crops, with variances of 23% in EXP–A and 20% in EXP–B. Intercropping cereals and legumes has the potential to enhance the soil fertility and crop production in the semi–arid regions of Southern Tunisia and contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on nitrogen fertilizers.

Suggested Citation

  • Amal Attallah & Wissem Hamdi & Amira Souid & Mohamed Farissi & Boulbaba L’taief & Aimé J. Messiga & Nazih Y. Rebouh & Salah Jellali & Mohamed Faouzi Zagrarni, 2024. "Impact of Cereal–Legume Intercropping on Changes in Soil Nutrients Contents under Semi–Arid Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:7:p:2725-:d:1364112
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Igor HUŇADY & Miroslav HOCHMAN, 2014. "Potential of legume-cereal intercropping for increasing yields and yield stability for self-sufficiency with animal fodder in organic farming," Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 50(2), pages 185-194.
    2. Fatma-Zohra Bouras & Salah Hadjout & Benalia Haddad & Asma Malek & Sonia Aitmoumene & Feriel Gueboub & Luiza Metrah & Bahia Zemmouri & Omar Kherif & Nazih-Yacer Rebouh & Mourad Latati, 2023. "The Effect of Nitrogen Supply on Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiency by Wheat–Chickpea Intercropping System under Rain-Fed Mediterranean Conditions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Omar Kherif & Benalia Haddad & Fatma-Zohra Bouras & Mounir Seghouani & Bahia Zemmouri & Ramzi Gamouh & Nadia Hamzaoui & Amira Larbi & Nazih-Yacer Rebouh & Mourad Latati, 2023. "Simultaneous Assessment of Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Rain-Fed Chickpea-Durum Wheat Intercropping Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-18, April.
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