Applauding Soil Quality Improvement through Legume-based Intercropping System: A Review

Abstract:

Intercropping is one of the ancient cropping systems that involves growing two or more crops together

in the same field. Effective intercropping system management warrants to prevent crops from competing

for space, moisture, nutrients, sunlight, and other resources. Combining legumes and non-legumes in an

intercropping system offers significant benefits, such as reducing moisture scarcity and nutrient stress,

while boosting overall productivity and soil health. Legumes play a key role in enhancing the soil’s

chemical, biological, and physical properties, which helps counteract the declining productivity often

seen in cereal-based cropping systems. The critical factors are choosing the right intercrops, determining

the optimal nitrogen doses for non-legumes, and considering the benefits of biological nitrogen fixation

(BNF) from legumes. Assessing the benefits of intercropping compared to sole cropping is vital for

determining agricultural productivity. Intercropping systems should be evaluated for increased crop

productivity and resource-use efficiency and their impact on soil health. This review highlights the

potential of legume-based intercropping systems in improving soil quality.