Solar Radiationutilization efficiency in cereal-legume intercropping systems: A review

Abstract

Growing two or more crops together with close proximity has the challenge of utilizing the available resources. Crop yields need to be increased by improving the use efficiency of resources such as water, nutrients and solar energy. Intercropping is often a means to better use of land and other resources. Success of cereal-legume intercropping will depend on extent of harnessing solar radiation by the canopy profile. Several field experiments conducted in southern Great Plains have indicated radiation use efficiency has a means to evaluate efficiency. In this paper, the growth and utilization of annual legumes as intercrops is reviewed with particular reference to resource use and their feasible with cereals.