Optimizing resource utilization through intercropping soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and maize (Zea mays L.) in Middle Egypt

Ouda, Samiha (avtor), Zohry, Abd El-Hafeez (avtor)

The agronomic and economic performance of soybean–maize intercropping under different irrigation regimes and soybean planting densities was assessed during two field seasons (2022–2023) in Egypt. Three irrigation levels were applied: 120 % ETc (optimal), 100 % ETc, and 80 % ETc. Maize was grown at the recommended density in both sole and intercropped systems, while soybean was intercropped at 50 %, 65 %, and 75 % of its recommended density. Increasing soybean density enhanced soybean yield but reduced maize grain yield due to interspecific competition, particularly under drought stress conditions. The highest land equivalent ratio (1.61) was achieved with 75 % soybean combined with full maize density. All intercropping treatments recorded water equivalent ratios greater than unity, with maximum water-use efficiency (1.41) observed at 50 % soybean density. Intercropping significantly increased soil nitrogen and available phosphorus compared with sole maize, with greater improvements at higher soybean densities. Economic analysis revealed that 75 % soybean–100 % maize combination produced the highest economic returns across irrigation regimes. Despite yield reductions under water stress, intercropping consistently outperformed monocropping in productivity and profitability. Soybean–maize intercropping is a sustainable approach to enhance land and water use efficiency, soil fertility, and farm income under water-limited conditions.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: land and water equivalent ratios, monetary advantage index, planting density, soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: BF - Biotehniška fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: 23 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 122, no. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-180563
• UDK: 633
• ISSN pri članku: 1854-1941
• DOI: 10.14720/aas.2026.122.1.24399
• COBISS.SI-ID: 271208963
• Datum objave v RUL: 11.03.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Acta agriculturae Slovenica
• Založnik: Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za agronomijo in Oddelek za zootehniko, Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za agronomijo in Oddelek za zootehniko, Univerza v Ljubljani, Biotehniška fakulteta, Založba Univerze v Ljubljani
• ISSN: 1854-1941
• COBISS.SI-ID: 219581184

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Naslov: Optimiziranje izrabe virov pri skupnem gojenju soje (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in koruze (Zea mays L.) v Srednjem Egiptu
• Ključne besede: razmerje ekvivalenta produktivnosti zemlje in vode, indeks denarne prednosti, gostota sajenja, razpoložljivost dušika in fosforja v tleh