Comparisons of radiation use efficiency of mono-/inter-cropping systems with different row orientations

Intercropping may be helpful to solve future food problem in developing countries. The aim of this study was to compare production efficiency in intercropping with sole cropping in terms of radiant energy use. For analysing crop radiation capture and utilisation, three indices are often used: the fraction of radiation intercepted (F), radiation use efficiency (RUE) and harvest index (HI). Using those indices, maize-bean intercropping was evaluated and compared with maize and bean sole cropping systems. The findings were as follows: the intercrop F was higher than the sole crop E the sole maize RUE was higher than the others, and there was no difference in HI among cropping systems. From those results, the intercropping may be equivalent to maize sole cropping in the overall efficiency of radiation interception and use. Therefore, when it is considered that both maize and beans would be planted in a given area of land, intercropping has more efficient radiation harvests than sole cropping. No effect of row orientation was found on E RUE and HI. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.