Microenvironment, disease development and yield interactions in rice and corn monocropping and intercropping systems
1992
Marquez, M.S.E.V.
Intercropping modified the microenvironment of the rice-based cropping system. A lower air temperature profile with higher relative humidity resulted from intercropping. Incidence of major diseases like rice-blast was lesser in magnitude and less severe in intercrop compared to monoculture on the later stages of crop growth. Downy mildew in corn increased with time with higher incidence in monoculture compared to intercrop. Incidence and severity of rice-blast were found higher with lower daytime relative humidity, air temperature and soil temperature, while downy mildew increased with lower air temperature. There was little variation in yield and yield components in intercropping and monocropping. Increase in rice blast incidence reduced the yield by as much as 17.76% with a delay in planting. With downy mildew infection, greater plant density in monoculture had yield advantage over intercropping. Intercropping rice with corn in uplands create a better system of utilizing space, moisture, light and a suitable soil and air temperature. Modifying the microenvironment in the crop canopy as well as creating crop diversity increase the chances of crops against disease epidemics in the field.
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