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In the arid areas of Northwest China, water has become a key limiting factor for agricultural development, so conservation tillage management has become an important measure to improve water use efficiency and crop yield. Our experiment, conducted from 2015 to 2018, explored the effects of conventional flat planting with no mulch (NP), with straw mulch (SM), and with plastic mulch (PM); and also ridge and furrow planting without mulch (RF) and ridge-furrow planting with plastic film and straw mulch (RFPFM) on soil nutrients, soil water storage, water use efficiency, and crop yield when compared with traditional no mulch and no fertilization cultivation (CK). Four years of experiments showed that compared to CK, SM and RFPFM had significantly increased soil surface nutrient content and increased organic matter content, and the water depletion during the maize growth period of the NP, SM, PM, RF, and RFPFM treatments increased by 9.7%, 0.6%, 8.6%, 4.4%, and 14.2%, respectively. For four years, the average spring maize yields of the NP, SM, PM, RF, and RFPFM treatments increased by 36%, 87%, 115%, 40%, and 119%, compared to those of CK. The PM and RFPFM treatments' water use efficiencies were significantly different from those of the other treatments and the basic decreasing trend of water use efficiency was RFPFM > PM > SM > RF > NP > CK. In summary, we showed that because ridge-furrow planting with plastic film mulch improved both soil nutrients and crop yields, it is a preferred cultivation method for agricultural water utilization in arid areas.

Microplastics (MPs) are major global environmental pollutants that have been extensively detected in agroecosystems. However, researches on their distribution and fates in farmland as well as their potential impacts on soil ecosystems are limited, especially studies on the influences of MPs on enzymes associated with carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycling and microbial nutrient limitations characterized by enzymatic stoichiometry are missing. In this study, we investigated the MPs characteristics under different continuous mulching management years (3, 6, 10, 15, and 20a) of tobacco fields in Enshi Prefecture, China, and identified the mechanisms of MPs pollution on soil microbial nutrient limitations. The results showed that the abundance of MPs varied from 647 to 2840 items/kg. Films, fibers and small-sized particles (0–1.0 mm) were the predominant types and size, respectively, and increased significantly with the increase of planting years. A vector analysis of enzyme activity suggested that microbial metabolism was limited both with C and P. The correlation analysis demonstrated that MPs pollution and soil properties were significantly linked to microbial nutrient limitations. Meanwhile, partial least squares path model (PLS-PM) revealed that MPs abundance exacerbated microbial limitation mainly by directly affecting soil microbial properties, followed by soil physical properties and soil nutrients, whereas MPs size and shapes indirectly exacerbated microbial nutrient limitation by significantly influencing MPs abundance. These results demonstrated that contamination of soil with MPs may have deleterious effects on soil key functions related to microbial metabolism, nutrient cycling, etc. Changes in soil properties and functions can damage plant growth and development, which may further affect crop yield and quality. This study provided a new theoretical basis for the response of soil microbial metabolism to MPs pollution and facilitated a better understanding and estimation of the environmental behavior and ecological risk of MPs in agricultural fields.

Straw strip mulching (SM) is a new mulching technology. From 2012 to 2018, SM’s effects on soil moisture and temperature and production performances were compared with other mulching practices, using three treatments: full-cover plastic mulch (PM), no mulch with wheat sown in rows as the control (CK), and SM with 50% to 59% of the field area mulched. Compared with CK, on average over six growing seasons, SM and PM increased grain yield by 27.0% and 21.7%, straw yield by 21.6% and 22.6%, kernels ha−1 by 26.6% and 19.0%, net income by 29.8% and −25.0%, soil temperature at 5 cm by −1.5 °C and 0.2 °C from overwintering to maturity, and soil water storage at 0 to 200 cm by 25 and 22 mm, respectively. The increase in soil moisture in SM and PM was greater in the early period (overwintering to jointing) than in the later period (booting to maturity) and at 0 to 120 cm than at 120 to 200 cm in the early period. Although the mean evapotranspiration of whole growth period across six seasons was similar among treatments, SM and PM increased water consumption during the key formation period of yield components after overwintering by 16 and 32 mm, respectively, while reducing it before overwintering. Compared with CK, SM and PM had the effects of warming during overwintering and cooling after jointing. By increasing water consumption after overwintering and ratio of transpiration to evapotranspiration and providing favorable soil temperature for multiple growth stages and more sufficient soil moisture, SM and PM promoted vegetative growth and increased kernels ha−1, the main mechanisms by which SM and PM increased grain yield relative to CK. Relative to PM, SM is a more economically beneficial and environment-friendly technology for dryland wheat production.

This weed management investigation was carried out at the Zonal Agricultural Research Station (ZARS), Bangalore, during the summers of 2017 and 2018 to standardize agrotechniques for weed management of rice grown under aerobic conditions. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with eleven treatments replicated thrice. It consisted of two pre-emergence herbicides and one early post-emergence herbicide, the stale seedbed technique, mulching, hand weeding and intercultivation which was compared to the weedy check. The results showed that pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% wettable powder (WP) at 35 active ingredient (a.i.) g ⋅ ha–1 as PE fb bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 30 ml ⋅ ha–1 a.i. as an early post-emergence herbicide performed better in terms of rice grain and straw yield (5,800 and 9,786 kg ⋅ ha–1, respectively), plant height (58.42 cm), rice total dry matter production (149.84 g ⋅ plant–1), productive tillers ⋅ hill–1 (40.32), panicle length (24.53 cm), 1000 grain weight (25.35 g), net returns (Rs. 62424), higher B : C ratio (2.59) and lower total weed density, weed dry weight at different stages of rice and weed index (3.80%) as well as higher weed control efficiency (90.52%). This practice could be recommended to farmers growing aerobic rice under these climatic conditions.

Plastic mulch films contribute to improved crop yield and quality for vegetable and small fruit cropping systems. Although the single-season agronomic performance of conventional polyethylene mulches and soil-biodegradable mulches (BDMs) are similar, over time BDMs can begin to break down during storage and subsequently not provide season-long soil coverage. In this study, the changes in physicochemical properties of BDMs were investigated over 3 years of indoor storage (2015–18) under ideal environmental conditions in two laboratories. Mulches evaluated were black, 20–40 µm thick, suitable for annual vegetable production, and included three BDMs: two polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)-enriched mulches that are commercially available in North America, an experimental polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanote-based film, and a conventional polyethylene mulch as a control. Tensile properties, specifically peak load and elongation at maximum tensile stress, decreased during storage, particularly for the PBAT-based BDMs, indicating a loss of strength. During year 3 of storage, the tensile properties declined extensively, suggesting embrittlement. The average molecular weight of PLA and PBAT slightly increased during year 1, perhaps due to release of monomers or oligomers, and then decreased extensively during years 2 and 3 due to hydrolysis of ester bonds (confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis). The structural integrity of BDMs was assessed during years 2 and 3 of the study (2017–18) in field trials at the locations where they were stored, Knoxville, TN, and Mount Vernon, WA, for vegetable production. The degradation of the BDMs during the cropping season was higher in 2018 compared with 2017, suggesting that degradation of mechanical and chemical properties while in storage may have contributed to rapid degradation of mulches in the field. In summary, BDMs undergo degradation even under ideal storage conditions and may perform best if deployed within 2 years of their receipt date. The farmer should verify that proper storage conditions have been used before receipt and that manufacturing date precedes the receipt date by no more than 6 months.

The Northeast Plain is the largest maize production area in China, and drip irrigation has recently been proposed to cope with the effects of frequent droughts and to improve water use efficiency (WUE). In order to develop an efficient and environmentally friendly irrigation system, drip irrigation experiments were conducted in 2016–2018 incorporating different soil water conservation measures as follows: (1) drip irrigation under plastic film mulch (PI), (2) drip irrigation under biodegradable film mulch (BI), (3) drip irrigation incorporating straw returning (SI), and (4) drip irrigation with the tape buried at a shallow soil depth (OI); with furrow irrigation (FI) used as the control. The results showed that PI and BI gave the highest maize yield, as well as the highest WUE and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) because of the higher root length density (RLD) and better heat conditions during the vegetative stage. But compared with BI, PI consumed more soil water in the 20–60 and 60–100 cm soil layers, and accelerated the progress of root and leaf senescence due to a larger root system in the top 0–20 cm soil layer and a higher soil temperature during the reproductive stage. SI was effective in improving soil water and nitrate contents, and promoted RLD in deeper soil layers, thereby maintaining higher physiological activity during the reproductive stage. FI resulted in higher nitrate levels in the deep 60–100 cm soil layer, which increased the risk of nitrogen losses by leaching compared with the drip irrigation treatments. RLD in the 0–20 cm soil layer was highly positively correlated with yield, WUE and NUE (P

Context Cropping in the Queensland Murray–Darling and Fitzroy Basins has precursors for secondary salinity – high soil salt loads and increased drainage after clearing. Aims To measure changes in deep drainage, for key tillage, traffic, and cropping systems. Methods Steady-state and transient chloride (Cl) mass-balance were applied to Cl profiles from four tillage and crop rotation trials and one controlled traffic trial in southern and central Queensland, to determine deep drainage below the root zone. Key results Large downward movement of Cl occurred after clearing. Deep drainage from transient Cl balance for cropping was a small proportion of rainfall but considerably higher than under native vegetation. Deep drainage was consistently greater under zero than conventional tillage, for both winter and summer cropping. For example, deep drainage was greatest for zero tillage (∼45 mm/year) and least for conventional, stubble mulch, and reduced tillage (2–6.3 mm/year) at the highest-rainfall site (677 mm/year). Deep drainage was 12.7 and 7.9 mm/year for zero and conventional tillage, respectively, at the lowest-rainfall site (497 mm/year). Drainage under continuous wheat conventional tillage was more than twice that where some summer crops were included. At Billa Billa, continuous wheat had greater deep drainage by three to five times than continuous sorghum for three of four tillage systems. No drainage was detected during 6 years of opportunity cropping. A pasture legume ley had only 1.7 mm/year of deep drainage. Deep drainage was less for compacted than non-compacted treatments (23.3 vs 38.2 mm/year). Conclusion and implications Increased deep drainage with zero tillage and controlled traffic can be reduced using summer crops, particularly opportunity cropping where crops are planted when soil water is sufficient, and ley pastures.

The invasive spotted-wing drosophila,Drosophila suzukii,is a major pest of fruit crops worldwide. Management ofD. suzukiirelies heavily on chemical control in both organic and conventional systems, and there is a need to develop more sustainable management practices. We evaluated the efficacy of three colors of plastic mulches at reducing populations ofD. suzukiiin fall-bearing raspberry and assessed the mulches’ impacts on canopy microclimate factors relevant toD. suzukii. Black, white, and metallic plastic mulches reduced adultD. suzukiipopulations by 42–51% and larval populations by 52–72% compared to the grower standard. The mulches did not change canopy temperature or relative humidity, but metallic mulches increased canopy light intensity compared to the black mulch. Radiance in the visible spectrum (401–680 nm) was higher for the white and metallic mulch plots, but the black mulch plots did not differ from the control. In the UV spectrum (380–400 nm), all three plastic mulches had higher radiance than the control plots. Future studies will determine whether changes in radiance are associated with the observed reduction inD. suzukiipopulations. Plastic mulches are a promising cultural practice for managingD. suzukiisince they can reduce adult and larval populations and could be incorporated into an integrated pest management program in both organic and conventional systems.

For sustaining productivity and increasing biodiversity in Cox´s Bazar, a coastal area, and Bandarban, a hilly area, in Bangladesh, it is important to study the soil properties of the homegardens in these districts. We assessed the effects of varying forest management on soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and nutrients (P, K, Na, and Ca) between the hill and coastal homegardens. Soil samples were collected from 24 homegardens; 12 from the hill and 12 from the coastal sites. In both homegardens, the topsoil C and N stocks were up to 23% and 41%, respectively, higher than those in the deepest soil. We found a vertical decrease in C:N ratio in the soil of both homegardens, and the highest C:N ratios and C stock (49.90 Mg ha−1) were in the hill homegardens. The topsoil C in the hill homegardens was higher most probably due to higher deposition of litterfall and/or lower litter harvesting or mulching. The highest total N stock (5.97 Mg ha−1) was in the coastal homegardens, which may be due to higher tree density and species composition. The concentration and stocks of nutrients decreased vertically in the soil and this decrease was higher in the hill than in the coastal homegardens (except for P). It could be concluded that overall nutrient dynamics may be significantly affected by litter deposition, stand structure, and the variation in the rainfall. Soil N and nutrient deficiency should be considered in the planning of sustainable forest management to sustain productivity and increase biodiversity.

Context Tillage has temporal effects on soil organic matter and microbial attributes. Aim Three tillage systems (NT, no-tillage; MT, mulch tillage; MP, mouldboard ploughing) were used to assess the impact on soil quality indicators such as gravimetric soil water content (GSWC), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), easily extractable-glomalin (G EE), dehydrogenase (DHA), β-glucosidase (β-glu), urease (URE), acid-(AcP) and alkaline-(AlP) phosphatase over time in a sandy-loam Plinthustalf cropped annually with winter wheat and occasionally oat in eastern Free State. Methods Samples were collected during oat (October 2010, November 2010), fallow (February 2011, April 2011, May 2011) and wheat (August 2011, September 2011, October 2011) phases at 0–5 and 5–10 cm depth. Results When averaged over sampling dates, GSWC, SOC, TN and enzyme activities were 6–85% higher under NT than in MT and MP in the upper 5 cm soil. Trends changed at the 5–10 cm depth, with 20–32% higher enzyme activities recorded under MT. Soil quality indicators exhibited different trends over time, with GSWC, TN, DHA, AcP and AlP generally increasing during the fallow period and decreasing during oat and wheat phases, while β-glu was higher during both crop phases than at fallowing. URE was 33.6–174.3% higher during the oat phase than at the fallow and wheat phases. The opposite was observed with SOC, C/N ratio and G EE. Conclusions Enzyme activities were sensitive indicators, but SOC and TN can be used to assess temporal changes in soil quality in resource-limited countries. Implications However, temporal effects on SOC and TN were probably built in the long-term, hence further research focusing on multiple seasons is required.

Context Although both plant cover and mulch are considered for erosion control in arid and semi-arid regions, they have divergent impacts on soil ecology. Aim We examined the effects of orchard floor management practices on the density and diversity of soil free-living nematode communities and relevant soil abiotic properties. Methods Soils were sampled in winter in a citrus orchard in the Sharon region of Israel from plots that for 6 years had been under (1) annual native species; or (2) Avena sativa and Vicia villosa, planted between tree rows; or (3) woodchip mulching along tree rows. There were two control sites: (4) bare soil between tree rows and (5) bare soil along the tree rows (both common practice). Key results Nematode communities and their trophic diversity were significantly impacted by floor management. Significant increases in soil moisture under plant cover, and higher organic matter and water-holding capacity for all covered orchard floors could be related to nematode changes. Shifts in nematode feeding group structure suggest a shift in the type and availability of soil carbon pools. Conclusions There was a strong association between orchard floor management and soil free-living nematode communities, indicating a shift in the soil food-web structure and functionality. Bare soil harboured fewer nematodes, but more complex communities dominated by persisters, while seeded plant cover had a greater nematode abundance dominated by coloniser communities, indicating increased availability of resources. Implications Results reveal the importance of integrating biological information in performance index determinations for improving soil management decisions, suggesting these relationships as sensitive bio-indicators of soil health.

In smallholder crop–livestock systems where maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple cereal, the stover is usually an important but low-quality ruminant feed. Maize stover has various competing uses, and optimal allocation of stover, particularly for forage and mulch, is essential for improving whole-farm productivity and sustainability. Knowledge that feed quality increases with height in maize stover provides opportunities. An experiment investigated the effects of a high cutting height of stover at grain harvest (cut at two internodes below the lowest ear) on the yields and feed quality of the upper and lower stover (stubble) fractions. Measurements were made on six maize genotypes at two sites during two cropping seasons in Ethiopia. The upper stover fraction (USF) on average comprised 674 g kg–1 of the entire stover and was also substantially higher (P < .001) than the lower stover fraction (LSF) in in vitro dry matter digestibility (527 vs. 450 g kg−1 dry matter [DM]) and total N concentrations (8.8 vs. 6.2 g kg−1 DM) and was lower in fiber. Stems (including leaf sheath and tassel), husks (including shank), and leaf blade comprised 484, 310, and 206 g kg−1 of the USF, respectively. Yields and feed quality of stover varied among genotypes and environments. Use of an USF can provide a feedstuff of increased nutritional quality for ruminants, but the efficacy of the LSF for mulch requires investigation. In conclusion, a simple management change to harvest maize stover at higher stubble height combined with use of appropriate genotypes can provide higher-quality feed while leaving stubble for conservation agriculture.

The present pot experiment under open field conditions was conducted to evaluate the response of onion crop to bulb set size and planting date using mulching. Two different sizes of onion sets at planting (large (6-10 g) and small (2-6 g)) and three different planting dates (February, March, and April) with two soil coverings (with and without straw mulching) were tested. Treatments were replicated three times. Onion was not exposed to any drought stress during the course of the experiment.Results indicated that the larger bulb sets which were planted earlier under mulching, maximised the total bulb yield (Yield, 44.0 t ha-1), water use efficiency (WUE, 8.37 kg m-3), and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE, 9.57 kg m-3). Moreover, findings revealed that onion crop appreciably respond to smaller bulb sets when they were planted earlier under mulching. Onion bulb responses were predicted to be linearly increased with the earliness in planting date, with an obvious better preference under mulching and heavier bulb sets. Hence, adopting early planting date with mulching is suggested for sustainable crop production and for enhancing water use efficiency in dry Mediterranean area.

Green roofs are known to mitigate the negative effects of urban consolidation by offering diverse ecosystem functions compared to non-vegetated roofs. However, the support for native biodiversity might be improved by using native plant species. In a mesocosm experiment, we studied the suitability of three commercial green-roof growth substrates for the establishment of 27 native plant species from dry sandy grasslands of northwestern Germany over the course of four years. The substrates were mineral-based, but differed in the layering of organic matter. Total establishment rates reached 44–59% in Year 4, indicating the general suitability of the substrates. During the first weeks after seeding, with light irrigation, the vascular plant cover was greater in the similar substrates Zincolit® Plus (Z) and Zincolit® Plus-Leicht (ZL) with their compost-based organic mulch layers than in the substrate Sedumteppich (ST) with its organic matter evenly admixed with the mineral aggregates. In Years 2 and 3, however, the vascular plant cover was greater in the ST substrate, likely due to the better availability of water and nutrients from the organic matter compared to the dry surface-mulch layer variants Z and ZL. After severe drought events, the decline in plant cover was more pronounced in the ST substrate, likely representing a trade-off between lush growth and a susceptibility to drought. An indicator-species analysis revealed differences in species composition between the ST and Z/ZL substrates. Annual plant species were indicators of the ST substrate. Perennials, such as Thymus pulegioides and Achillea millefolium, were typical of the Z and ZL substrates. In addition to the general suitability of the tested standard substrates for target species establishment, the study indicated that a combination of different layers of substrate components resulted in different vegetation patterns that may have a positive effect on green-roof biodiversity.

BACKGROUND Poor inferior kernel grain filling is a challenge that limits summer maize yield. The effect and mechanism of conservation tillage on improving grain filling of inferior kernel in semi-arid rained areas remain uncertain and there has been little research on tillage management integrated with straw mulching to improve soil water content and photosynthesis in the Loess Plateau region. A 2 year (2019-2020) field experiment was established to study the impact of tillage practices on soil water content and summer maize root system morphology, photosynthetic capacity, inferior kernel grain filling, and grain yield. Treatments included reduced tillage (RT), no tillage (NT), and conventional tillage (CT). RESULTS Under RT and NT, the final 100-kernel weight and maximum and mean grain filling rates were higher than CT. Reduced tillage and NT increased soil water content at the jointing stage, silking stage and grain filling stage in comparison with CT. They increased root system morphology and dry matter accumulation, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration efficiency, and stomatal conductance in comparison with CT, and they also decreased intercellular CO2 concentration, and they increased chlorophyll content and above-ground dry matter accumulation in comparison with CT. Reduced tillage and NT increased evapotranspiration of maize, and ultimately, increased grain yield by 17% and 14%, respectively, in comparison with CT. CONCLUSION Conservation tillage could promote summer maize photosynthetic capacity and grain filling of inferior kernels by regulating soil water content and root system morphology. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Irrigated agriculture is a foremost consumer of water resources to fulfill the demand for food and fiber with an increasing population under climate changes; cotton is no exception. Depleting groundwater recharge and water productivity is critical for the sustainable cotton crop yield peculiarly in the semiarid region. This study investigated the water productivity and cotton yield under six different treatments: three sowing methods, i.e., flat, ridge, and bed planting with and without plastic mulch. Cotton bed planting without mulch showed maximum water productivity (0.24 kg.m-3) and the highest cotton yield (1946 kg.ha-1). Plastic mulching may reduce water productivity and cotton yield. HYDRUS-1D unsaturated flow model was used to access the groundwater recharge for 150 days under six treatments after model performance evaluation. Maximum cumulative recharge was observed 71 cm for the flat sowing method without plastic mulch. CanESM2 was used to predict climate scenarios for RCP 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 for the 2050s and 2080s by statistical downscale modeling (SDSM) using historical data from 1975 to 2005 to access future groundwater recharge flux. Average cumulative recharge flux declined 36.53% in 2050 and 22.91% in 2080 compared to 2017 without plastic mulch. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that a maximum 23.78% reduction in groundwater recharge could influence future climate change. Further study may require to understand the remaining influencing factor of depleting groundwater recharge. Findings highlight the significance of climate change and the cotton sowing method while accessing future groundwater resources in irrigated agriculture., Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature.

Urban forest soil is often disturbed by rapid urbanization. Organic mulching is effective for improving soil quality and aggregate stability. This study evaluated how soil binding agents changed aggregate stability through organic mulching in urban forest soils. Three treatments were applied in Jiufeng National Forest Park, Beijing: (1) no organic mulch (control); (2) wood chips alone (5 cm thickness); and, (3) wood chips + wood compost (This mulch was divided into two layers, the upper layer of wood chips (2.5 cm), the lower layer wood compost (2.5 cm)). Soil samples were collected from the surface 10- cm soil layer and fraction into four aggregates. Glomalin-related soil protein and soil organic carbon were measured in bulk soil and the four aggregates. The results show that wood chips + wood compost increased the proportion of large and small macroaggregates, mean weight diameter and geometric mean diameter. The total and easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein were higher in the wood chips + wood compost. However, soil organic carbon was lower in the wood chips alone application compared to the controls and wood chips + wood compost. Easily extractable / total glomalin-related soil protein and glomalin-related soil protein / soil organic carbon ratios of wood chips alone and wood chips + wood compost had increased trend compared to the controls but did not reach significant levels (p > 0.05). Mean weight diameter and geometric mean diameter correlated positively with total and easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein but were not positively correlated with soil organic carbon, the ratios of easily extractable and total glomalin-related soil protein, and the ratios of glomalin-related soil protein and soil organic carbon. Redundancy analysis revealed that total glomalin-related soil protein was the most important driver for soil aggregate stability, especially the total glomalin-related soil protein of small macroaggregates. The results suggest that wood chips + wood compost enhanced soil aggregate stability through the increase of glomalin-related soil protein. Wood chips alone cannot enhance soil aggregate stability in urban forests in the short term.

Calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) is a woody shrub with various characteristics that have made it useful in agroforestry systems. Recently, a biomass gasification power plant (BGPP) is engaging in extending calliandra plantations because of calliandra’s high heating value. Since the byproduct of BGPP is biochar, widely known for helping CO2 mitigation, this research aims to integrate biochar application into calliandra plantings. Experiments evaluating biochar applications were implemented on a new farm in Indonesia's Kundur Island, yielding calliandra wood for BGPP and fresh leaves for sheep farming. Chicken manure that had been co-composted with biochar was provided as fertilizer. In nursery experiments, the application of 1.1 kg m−2 biochar provided the greatest qualified seedlings. A field experiment showed that 1 or 1.25 kg m−2 biochar application yielded the most sizable wood and fresh leaves. The soil covering with biochar increased the yield of wood and fresh leaves, suggesting biochar mulching could be used for subsequent batches of calliandra regeneration. Thus, this study concluded that the application of biochar benefited calliandra nursery planting, field planting, and shoot regeneration. With a stable monthly temperature, the experiment site could have insufficient calliandra growth due to distinct dry and wet seasons. The regression analysis showed a strong correlation (R2 > 0.878) between wood production and rainfall, suggesting the growth of calliandra could be predicted from rainfall forecasts. Therefore, a calliandra agroforest system with biochar application and sufficient rainfall could enable a sustainable biomass supply for both BGPP and sheep farming.

The conventional propagation method using ginger rhizome being slow, a suitable method of raising ginger seed material in portrays has been devised by Indian Institute of Spices Research. The advantages of this technology are production of healthy uniform planting materials and reduction in seed rhizome quantity which eventually reduced cost on rhizomes. The experiment was carried out in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during April 2016 to January 2017. The ginger variety used was Karthika. Field experiment was laid out in split plot design with four levels of mulches in main plots and fertilizer levels in sub plots with four replications..Two nodded rhizome bits of ginger cultivar was raised in protrays were transplanted at 55 days in beds taken in the interspaces of coconut. Plants that received M1 (30 t ha -1) in main plot resulted in maximum plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves/plant and shoot weight, treatment T2 (150:100:100 kg ha -1) and their interaction (m1t2) also resulted in highest plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves/plant, shoot weight, Fresh yield and Dry yield on all periods of observation The results of the study indicated that ginger transplants intercropped in coconut garden, that mulching @ 30 t ha -1(half at transplanting and half 2 MAT) along with 150:100:100 kg NPK ha-1 and basal application of 30 t ha-1 of farm yard manure could be recommended for higher yield and growth.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), an intensive, long-term, monoculture, economical crop in South Africa, is known to degrade soil characteristics. Soil structure, a key indicator of soil health and biomass production potential, is manageable by agricultural practices. This study aims to evaluate the effect of crop residue management practices (mulching, burning with residues scattered or removed) and mineral fertilization (with or without) on soil structure by analyzing soil shrinkage curves (SSCs) and other soil physical and chemical properties in a long-term sugarcane trial established in 1939. The SSC provides descriptive structural soil data by differentiating and characterizing two pore systems (plasma and structural pores). By analyzing the SSC of 24 plots (four replicates each treatment), residue management and fertilization practices were found to have statistically and physically significant effects on hydrostructural variables. Partial redundancy analysis showed that residue management practices had a slightly higher effect (19/100 of total variance) on hydrostructural variables compared with fertilization (12/100). The main hydrostructural variables representing the management effect were total soil shrinkage, specific volume, and swelling capacity of the plasma, which were higher in mulched and/or unfertilized plots, indicating that soil was less compact, and shrinkage was more intense, including at the plasma level. The stronger structural dynamics and aggregate stability of the soil were explained by the behavior of the primary aggregates (peds), which were more porous and reactive during the drying process. This study highlights the importance of mulching and limited fertilization to maintain soil structure in the long term while still ensuring yield production.

Field experiments were carried out during rabi seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17 at the Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Wheat variety PBW 621 was sown on three dates (D1: 4th week of October, D2: 2nd week of November and D3: 4th week of November) with two irrigation levels (I1: IW/ CPE = 0.9, I2: At CRI, 5-6 weeks after 1st irrigation, 3-4/5-6 weeks after 2nd irrigation, 2/4 weeks after 3rd irrigation as per dates of sowing) and mulch application (M1: without mulch, M2: straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1). Earlier sown mulch applied crop with four post-sowing irrigations produced highest (5312.5 kg ha-1) and late sown without mulch application crop with irrigation @IW/CPE = 0.9 produced lowest grain yield (3900.5 kg ha-1). Simulation results depicted -1.1 to 16.8 per cent deviation in crop yield, -1.4 to -21.0 per cent in water use and 12.7 to 45.5 per cent in water productivity. Increase in temperature from 1oC to 3oC decreased wheat yield by 6.3 to 27.0 per cent under D1 and 3.3 to 17.6 per cent under D2, however, it increased from 8.1 to 16.2 per cent under D3, indicating D3 as most appropriate under future warming scenarios. Increase in CO2 concentration decreased water use and increased yield and water productivity.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the roller load (with cultivating tools) and doses of plant matter (straw and charlock) mixed with soil on the air and humidity conditions of such soil. The innovation of the research consisted in abandoning the use of Kopecky’s cylinders: the bulk density of mulched soil was determined by measuring its mass and volume, which it obtained in vases before and after the roller work. Capillary infiltration was also carried out for soil in vases. Variable research factors characterizing the roller working conditions in the mulching tillage, were: source/type of plant material cut into 10 cm chopped straw, its share in soil, three ranges of soil water content and vertical unit load on the roller. Increasing the straw dose to 30 Mg.ha−1 reduces the bulk density from 1.17 to 0.76 g.cm−3, while increasing the dose of charlock to 60 Mg.ha−1 under these conditions, it reduces the density to 1.03 g.cm−3. At the same time, humidity conditions change: volumetric water content decreases in case of straw from 13.9% to 8.5% and increases in case of charlock to 17.4%. Changes occur also in case of full water capacity.

In arid and semi-arid lands, water salinity often restricts plant growth, degrades soils, and even causes irrigation systems to fail, especially in hot climates. Worldwide, it is a “major cause” of the irrigation-induced salinization that had already affected 76 million ha of soil in 1991. Our novel and inexpensive irrigation technique addresses these issues, thus potentially improving the food security of affected farmers and pastoralists who often are amongst the world’s poorest. Saline or brackish water is dispensed inside plastic bottles that are modified so as to feed only vapour to the soil, where roots and moisture-retaining materials can capture it. We tested this method in the field in Turkana County (Kenya) with Dual-Purpose Sorghum. Five treatments in five replicates were applied with different moisture-retaining material: biochar; organic mulch; plastic sheeting; Super Absorbent Polymer); and none (Control). Effectiveness of the treatment was appraised by comparing the average heights of plants. At 64 cm after 30 days, the Super Absorbent Polymer treatment performed best (34% better than the control, p=0.05), followed by organic mulch (18% better than the control, p=0.05). Super Absorbent Polymer and organic mulch also retained the most moisture in the soil (37 and 32% better than the control, respectively; p=0.05). Key words: Irrigation, pitcher irrigation, condensation irrigation, superabsorbent polymer, mulch, salinity, brackish water, saline water, soil salinization.

The sole and sequential application of herbicide and straw mulch on weed growth and productivity of rainfed direct seeded rice, were studied with 12 treatments during kharif 2019. Results showed that the application of oxadiargyl fb rice straw mulch @ 6 t/ha registered significantly the lowest weed density and dry weight at 60 DAS; however, it was statistically at par with oxadiargyl fb hand weeding. Weed free check produced the highest grain yield (3.05 t/ha) which was at par with the sequential application of oxadiargyl fb rice straw mulch @ 6 t/ha (2.99 t/ha) and oxadiargyl fb rice hand weeding (2.90 t/ha). Application of oxadiargyl fb rice straw mulch @ 6 t/ha fetched the maximum net return of Rs. 17528/- per ha and return per rupee invested of 1.52. Application of oxadiargyl fb rice straw mulch @ 6 t/ha could be recommended for managing complex weed flora, higher productivity and greater profit in rainfed direct seeded rice cultivation. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(3): 671-677, 2021 (September)

Aim: Increasing the input use efficiency by planting of guava on raised bed, mulched with black polythene sheet along with fertilizer application through drip and foliar spray of micro-nutrients (zinc and boron). Methodology: Experiment was carried out during 2015-2019 for mrig bahar crop in Lalit guava planted at 3 × 3 m spacing in ICAR-CISH, Lucknow with 5 different treatments (T1 = Raised bed +drip irrigation @ 80% PE + fertigation @ 75% RDF + mulching with 100µ black polythene + micro-nutrient spray in July and August @ 0.2% each of zinc sulphate and boric acid, T2 = Raised bed + drip irrigation + fertigation + mulching, T3 = Raised bed + drip irrigation + fertigation + micronutrient sprays, T4 = Raised bed + drip irrigation +micro-nutrient sprays + soil application of RDF @ 50:25:50 g N:P:K, T5 / control = Flat bed + soil application of RDF + basin irrigation). Results: Canopy volume, trunk-cross sectional area and yield were significantly increased in T1, which could be attributed to better microclimate in root zone, resulting in improved growth and yield. Interpretation: The findings of this research have generated the technique of improving space, water and nutrient use efficiency under high density planting system of guava cv. Lalit in subtropical climate which will help the guava growers for sustaining quality production.

This article presents the results of studies that were conducted in a small-sized film greenhouse for growing аpple and pear seedlings according to different planting schemes with mulching between rows with black span bond and matting. It was found that mulching between rows creates more favorable conditions for growing plants. The temperature regime of the soil improves, especially at the depth of the root layer. The row spacing soil is less compacted, since multiple loosening and weeding are not required. The mulching materials used freely pass water and mineral elements dissolved in it. Black woven matting is recognized as the best material for mulching between rows of apple and pear trees in a small film greenhouse. The applied schemes of planting winter grafts of apple and pear trees and mulching of row spacing made it possible to completely abandon the use of intensive manual labor on weeding and loosening the soil. Using three-line planting instead of one-line planting allows to significantly increase the yield of planting material per unit area.

Vegetal mulching can mitigate the harmful effects of salts present in irrigation water. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of irrigation water salinity and mulching on the growth and yield of beet crops. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at Redenção, Ceará State. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme, with five replicates, composed of two levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw: tap water - 0.3 dS m-1 and saline solution - 5.8 dS m-1; and four types of mulching (rice hulls, carnauba bagana, crop residues, and a control treatment without soil cover). The use of vegetal mulching, mitigated the effects of irrigation with saline water on the variables plant height, leaf area, stem diameter, and tuberous root. The increase of the salt concentration in irrigation water negatively affected the number of leaves, length of the tuberous root, and yield. But, it increased the soluble solids in the beet crop.

Drip irrigation combined with film mulching significantly improved water saving and agricultural efficiency in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the impact of various irrigation technical parameters under plastic film-mulched (PM) drip irrigation on water consumption and maize yield (Zea mays L.) for seed production is still unclear. Field experiments were conducted between 2016 and 2018 in Northwest China to investigate the effects of irrigation technical parameters (dripper discharge and irrigation interval) on biomass, grain yield, water, and nitrogen (N) use efficiency of the PM-maize for seed production. Four dripper discharges (1.38 L h−1, 2.0 L h−1, 2.5 L h−1, 3.0 L h−1) and five irrigation intervals (6 days, 8 days, 10 days, 12 days, 14 days) were selected. The normalized yield was used to analyze the effect of different treatments on the yield to eliminate the differences caused by uncontrollable factors, such as precipitation and temperature between different years. The results indicated a quadratic function among the final aboveground biomass, grain yield of maize for seed production, and irrigation intervals, with the highest value observed at 8 days irrigation interval. Both yield and nitrogen use efficiency measured as partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN) decreased rapidly as the irrigation interval exceeded 10 days. When the irrigation interval increased from 10 to 14 days, the relative grain yield decreased between 6.5 and 16.0%, while the PFPN decreased between 1.1 and 99.2 kg kg−1. Crop evapotranspiration (ET) initially decreased and then increased as the irrigation interval increased. The water productivity (WPY-ET) was the highest at the irrigation interval of 8 days. The PFPN increased between 6.6 and 42.8 kg kg−1 at the dripper discharge of 3.0 L h−1 when compared with dripper discharge of 2.5 L h−1. The study showed an optimal dripper discharge–irrigation interval combination for maximizing water-resources utilization and yield increase. When biomass, grain yield, ET, and WPY-ET are considered simultaneously, the most suitable irrigation technical parameters of maize for seed production in Northwest China are the combination of 2.5 L h−1 and 8 days. Furthermore, a combination of 3.0 L h−1 and 8 days is more conducive to reducing fertilizer costs.

Irrigation with saline water affects the agronomic performance of the maize crop; however, the use of vegetal mulch may mitigate salt stress and promote an increase in yield. In this way, this study aimed to evaluate the grain yield of the maize plants submitted to different water salinity levels in the presence and absence of mulch. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme. The first factor was the salinity of the irrigation water (1.0 and 4.0 dS m-1) and the second, with and without mulch, and five replicates. The variables analyzed were: unhusked ear mass, husked ear mass, cob mass, straw mass, husked ear diameter, husked ear length, and yield. The irrigation water with higher electrical conductivity affects negatively the ear mass with and without straw, ear diameter and ear length. The use of vegetation cover on the soil increased the unhusked ear mass with and without straw, ear diameter and length. The water with higher salinity (4.0 dS m-1) reduces the maize grain yield but with less intensity in the presence of mulch.

Crops in the northwest arid region of China frequently suffer from low emergence and poor yield due to high water deficit. Mulching is an important approach to reduce irrigation amount while increasing productivity but faces the challenge of ecological adaptability in this region. A field experiment was carried out in the three growing seasons from 2011 to 2013 to study the effects of mulching with crushed wheat straw padding and plastic film on sunflower seed emergence and yield under different irrigation intensities. A two-factor (mulching and irrigation intensity) completely randomized block design was applied, resulting in a total of 12 treatments repeated three times. Mulching treatments include zero mulch (N), straw mulching at the beginning of the experiment (S), plastic film mulching when sowing (F; a commonly used mulching by local farmers), and double mulching with plastic film on the crushed wheat straw layer (SF). Irrigation intensity includes high (H = 900 m3·ha−1), medium (M = 750 m3·ha−1), and low (L = 600 m3·ha−1). Results showed that all mulching treatments promoted the early emergence of seedlings compared with N, with SF and F performing better than the rest. SF was the best-performing mulching approach in this study, and it had significantly improved sunflower yield and yield components compared with other treatments. In SF, medium irrigation level had significantly increased sunflower 100-seed weight. Therefore, SF with M irrigation level showed the most positive effect on sunflower production, and it is now the recommended agronomic solution for sunflower production in the northwest arid regions and, potentially, other irrigated areas with similar ecological conditions.

Cumulative soil evaporation estimation without CE(s − i) and with CE(s + i) inundation days viz. rainfall or irrigation days is an important aspect, affecting yield and quality of sugarcane, lacking in the literature. To this end, present replicated study conducted during spring 2019–2020 in irrigated sugarcane under semi-arid conditions, with differential rice straw mulch rates viz. 0, 4, 6, and 8 t ha−1 constituting T1, T2, T3, and T4 treatments, respectively. Attempts being made to delineate CE(s − i), CE(s + i) for which mini-lysimeters and pan evaporation (Ep) data used, respectively, and their effect on yield and quality parameters of sugarcane. From tillering to grand growth stage, CE(s − i) from T1 reduced to 2.4, 9.7, and 26.5% in T2, T3, and T4 plots, respectively whereas 7.14 and 15.3% reductions recorded while shifting from T2 to T3 and T3 to T4 plots. However, CE(s + i) reduced to 1.4, 14.4, and 5.6% while shifting from T1 to T2, T2 to T3, and T3 to T4 plots. Periodic growth parameters viz. cane height, width, Brix, and relative leaf water contents reported to improve but non-significantly in T2, T3, and T4 plots as compared to T1 plots. Averaged SPAD readings were reported to 7.6, 14.9, and 17% higher at 311 DAS in T2, T3 and T4 plots, compared to T1 plots. T3 plots reported significantly higher cane yields and commercial cane sugar (t ha−1) than T1 and T2 plots but at par with T4 plots. Therefore, T3 plots loaded with 6 t ha−1 of mulch reported to reduce CE(s − i), CE(s + i), and improve cane yield, and quality.

Vegetable growth under plastic tunnels is a steadily growing agricultural sector but is causing environmental problems as a result of this farming system. Rice is one of the most important crops in...

With the aim of assessing differentiation of greenhouse gas emissions as manipulated by plastic film mulching (PFM) from paddy field from a year-round perspective, we determined net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE, CO2 flux), CH4 and N2O fluxes from a rice–rapeseed rotation field. PFM and non-mulching (NM) treatments were set from 2014 to 2017 (May 2014 to April 2015, May 2015 to April 2016 and May 2016 to April 2017 were set as Annual 1, Annual 2 and Annual 3, respectively) in Southwest China. Compared with NM, CH4 emissions were increased by 60.00% (P

Sugarcane is one of the most suitable alternative crops to predominant rice–wheat cropping system in indo-Gangetic plains of India. However, grand growth period of this crop coincides with hot and dry summer months having higher evaporative demands which raise the crop water requirement during this period, thus narrowing its scope of being an alternative to rice–wheat cropping system. To enhance water productivity of sugarcane field, experiments were conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Stations, Faridkot and Kapurthala during spring 2016, 2017 and 2018 on planting methods and irrigation scheduling. Four planting methods comprised of P1: conventional flat (75 cm apart) with mulching @ 6 ha−1, P2: conventional flat without mulch, P3: paired row trench planting (30:120 cm) with mulch and P4: paired row trench planting without mulch as main plots and three irrigation schedules, i.e., irrigation at 0.60, 0.80 and 1.00 IW/CPE as subplots factors in split plot design. The results revealed that paired row trench planting (30:120 cm) with mulch @ 6 t ha−1 resulted into 162% and 123% higher apparent water productivity than conventional flat planted crop without mulch at Faridkot and Kapurthala, respectively. In paired row trench planting, irrigation water application was 58.4% and 52.0% lesser than conventional flat planted crop at Faridkot and Kapurthala, respectively, as water was applied only in trenches which actually curtailed the wettable area to 40%. Mulching in conventional flat planted crop improved the cane yield by 10.3% over non-mulch flat planted crop at Kapurthala, but this difference was only 6.1% in paired row trench planted crop at Faridkot. At Kapurthala, mulching in paired row trench planted crop enhanced the cane yield by 8.8%, but in conventional flat planted crop, this increase was up to 6.9%. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that the planting sugarcane in paired row trench planting system with mulch @ 6 t ha−1 is the most viable planting system in sugarcane to attain higher crop and water productivity. Based on the availability of irrigation water, crop can either be irrigated at 0.6 or 0.8 IW/CPE for higher total and apparent water productivity and higher water-use efficiency. Higher benefit/cost ratio (mean over locations) is obtained under paired row trench planting with mulch and irrigation scheduling at 0.8 IW/CPE.

Two field trials were conducted in 2018 and 2019 to develop practical and economically efficient weed control programs in corn. The experiment included six treatments (cowpea, rice straw, sorghum extract, hoeing, foramsulfuron herbicide and weedy check). The treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with four replicates. Findings showed that reduction in total weed number was evident with application of hoeing, cowpea and rice straw in 2018 and 2019 seasons, in addition to foramsulfuron herbicide and sorghum extract in 2019. Cowpea, hoeing, foramsulfuron herbicide and rice straw recorded higher reduction in dry biomass of grassy weeds in both seasons. Reductions in N, P and K uptake by weeds because of rice straw and cowpea treatments were similar to hoeing treatment in both seasons. The increases in ear grain weight and grain yield ha−1 due to cowpea and hoeing treatments were similar to rice straw one. In 2019 season, cowpea treatment was the superior practice for improving N, P and K uptake of maize, significantly leveling hoeing for K uptake. The values of gross returns and benefit/cost ratio of cowpea and sorghum extract, respectively, were higher than rice straw application. In conclusion, cowpea as a live mulch achieved acceptable weed control in maize by reducing weeds growth and lowering their ability to deplete the soil nutrients. Also, cowpea treatment improves growth and yield of maize with better utilization of nutrients. Thus, cowpea could be exploited as an eco-friendly method of weed management programs in maize cultivation.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a commercially important natural sweetener plant and a boon to the diabetics. Unfortunately, its cultivation faces several abiotic and biotic constraints. Among the biotic ones, the most important is its poor competition with the weeds which culminates in 2-25% yield penalty and further raises the cultivation and production cost. Hence, weed management for successful Stevia cultivation is a major challenge faced by Stevia-farmers. Present study aimed at assessing the effects of mulching (organic and synthetic) and herbicides treatments for efficient weed control and improving the yield of Stevia. Maximum weed control was recorded with herbicides spray while significant improvement in plant growth characteristics like, plant height (98.2 cm average), branch number (5.1 plant−1), leaf number (415 plant−1) and dry weight were recorded in plots treated with rice straw (organic mulch: @ 15t. h−1). Maximum leaf biomass was recorded in plots treated with eucalyptus leaves (organic mulch: @ 15t. h−1) during the year 2017. It is concluded that herbicide spray controlled the weed growth while the crop yield and growth parameters were successfully enhanced by the use of mulche(s), in both the years (2017–18). Meticulous use of mulches or mulch plus limited herbicide(s) application for weed control, may ensure sustainable agriculture and shall ultimately decrease the dependability on synthetic herbicides.

Water scarcity constrains global cotton production. However, partial root-zone drying (PRD) and mulching can be used as good techniques to save water and enhance crop production, especially in arid regions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mulching for water conservation in an arid environment under PRD and to further assess the osmotic adjustment and enzymatic activities for sustainable cotton production. The study was carried out for 2 years in field conditions using mulches (NM = no mulch, BPM = black plastic mulch at 32 kg ha-1, WSM = wheat straw mulch at 3 tons ha-1, CSM = cotton sticks mulch at 10 tons ha-1) and two irrigation levels (FI = full irrigation and PRD (50% less water than FI). High seed cotton yield (SCY) achieved in FI+WSM (4457 and 4248 kg ha-1 in 2017 and 2018, respectively) and even in PRD+WSM followed by BPM>CSM>NM under FI and PRD for both years. The higher SCY and traits observed in FI+WSM and PRD+WSM compared with the others were attributed to the improved water use efficiency and gaseous exchange traits, increased hormone production (ABA), osmolyte accumulation, and enhanced antioxidants to scavenge the excess reactive oxygen. Furthermore, better cotton quality traits were also observed under WSM either with FI or PRD irrigation regimes. Mulches applications found effective to control the weeds in the order as BPM>WSM>CSM. In general, PRD can be used as an effective stratagem to save moisture along with WSM, which ultimately can improve cotton yield in the water-scarce regions under arid climatic regions. It may prove as a good adaptation strategy under current and future water shortage scenarios of climate change.

Reducing input of chemical fertiliser to cotton fields has the benefits of reduced costs, increased crop production efficiency, and positive environmental impact. We investigated the impacts of stalk management and fertiliser application on the morphology, physiological activity and nutrient use efficiency of cotton roots in arid areas when grown under drip irrigation with plastic film mulching. This 9-year field experiment involved a split-plot design with two stalk management treatments (removed or mixed with soil) as main plots and four fertiliser treatments (no fertiliser, NPK fertiliser, poultry manure, combined NPK fertiliser plus poultry manure) as subplots. Fertilisation increased root tissue mass density, specific surface area, triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reducing capacity, and glutamine synthetase, but decreased specific root length. Straw return and fertilisation increased soil available N, P and K. Nutrient use efficiencies of N, P and K in roots were sensitive to fertilisation treatment, whereas nutrient use efficiencies in total dry matter were sensitive to straw return treatment. Fertilisation increased the root:shoot ratio, root biomass, fine:coarse root mass ratio, and seed cotton yield. Combined application of NPK fertiliser and poultry manure can prompt the formation of fine roots, which maximised the contact area between poultry manure and roots, thus increasing the chance of the root acquiring mineral nutrients. Therefore, organic matter promotes the absorption of mineral nutrients by roots, thereby improving the efficiency of fertiliser utilisation.

Weed interference is a major constraint in maize cultivation. Living mulch as an alternative weed control strategy has been established to be environmentally safe but has not been widely used in maize cultivation. The aim of this research was to evaluate the weed management attributes of Vigna unguiculata in maize cropping. A field study was carried out in the crop garden of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The treatments were maize interplanted with Cowpea at 20,000 (M1), 30,000 (M2), 40,000 (M3) plants/hectare, hoe weeding (M4), weedy check (M5) and Primextra-2.5 L/ha (M6). The treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design, each replicated four times. Weed Dry Weight (WDW) and Weed Control Efficiency–WCE (%) were calculated following standardized methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. The treatment plots were dominated by weed species in the Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae families. The M5 accounted for the highest WDW (126.30 g). The WCE was highest in M3 (94.8%) and least in M5 (66.4%). Maize and cowpea interplant at 40,000 plants/hectare suppressed weed. Hence, cowpea is an ideal weed suppressant and can be inter-planted as a cover crop in maize cropping systems.