Carob–Thyme Intercropping Systems Can Improve Yield Efficiency and Environmental Footprint Compared to Conservation Tillage
2025
Sofia Matsi | Dimitrios Sarris | Vassilis Litskas
Living mulch intercropping systems are considered as nature-based solutions with a low environmental footprint for managing weeds, improving biodiversity and agroecosystem sustainability. In drylands, however, they may increase intra/inter-specific competition for water, reducing crop productivity. We tested conservation tillage (TLG) carob plots with and without irrigation (TLGirr: TLGdry) vs. rainfed intercropping systems of carob and (i) thyme (Thymbra capitata: T-System) or (ii) clover (Trifolium squarrosum: C-System), strategically planted on the south (sun)-exposed soil side (SES) of carobs, to reduce soil temperature/evaporation. Carob water relations, productivity and environmental footprints were examined for three years under semi-arid, low weed-competition (Skarinou-SKR) and arid high weed-competition (Vrysoules-VRY) conditions in Cyprus. Carob yield efficiency (kg/m3) in SKR, was >:27% higher for the T-System (p <: 0.05: SES cover ca. 85%: year-3), matching a higher leaf water content (p <: 0.001) compared to TLGdry. The T-System reached 28% and 56% of TLGirr yields during very dry and normal rainfall years: TLGdry yields approached zero. For VRY, no negative impacts on carob leaf water, at 25% SES cover, were found. SKR&rsquo:s C-System improved leaf water content (p <: 0.05) for only one year. The T-System also outperformed TLGirr and TLGdry in terms of reducing irrigation needs and energy consumption, breaking new grounds for dryland agroforestry.
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