In the heart of China’s Sichuan Province, a novel approach to intercropping is taking root, promising to revolutionize the way farmers cultivate both medicinal plants and corn. Led by Xiaoyang Cai from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a recent study published in the open-access journal PeerJ (known in English as “Companion”) has uncovered a fertilization strategy that could significantly boost yields and medicinal quality in an Ophiopogon japonicus-corn intercropping system.
Ophiopogon japonicus, commonly known as Mondo grass, is a valuable medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. However, its cultivation often competes with food crops for limited arable land. Intercropping with corn offers a sustainable solution, but optimizing nutrient management to enhance both crop yields and medicinal quality has been a challenge.
Cai and his team investigated the effects of different fertilization treatments on the growth, yield, and medicinal quality of O. japonicus and corn. The study evaluated eight treatments involving various combinations of nitrogen sources (urea and ammonium nitrate), micronutrient supplementation (magnesium and manganese), and phosphorus-potassium (P+K) fertilization.
The results were striking. “We found that the nitrogen source significantly affected corn height, with ammonium nitrate outperforming urea,” Cai explained. The study also revealed that micronutrients and P+K had significant interactive effects on stem diameter and leaf development. For O. japonicus, micronutrient applications significantly increased tuberous root numbers, while P+K fertilization promoted plant height and fibrous root growth.
The highest corn yield and biomass were recorded in treatments combining urea with P+K, and ammonium nitrate with micronutrients and P+K. For O. japonicus, the treatment with ammonium nitrate, micronutrients, and P+K showed the highest overall yield, followed by treatments with urea and P+K.
Perhaps most notably, the study identified an optimal strategy for maximizing yield in the intercropping system: ammonium nitrate (150 kg N/ha), magnesium sulfate (45 kg/ha), manganese sulfate (15 kg/ha), superphosphate (75 kg P2O5/ha), and potassium sulfate (450 kg K2O/ha). For improving medicinal quality, the best treatment included urea (150 kg N/ha), superphosphate (75 kg P2O5/ha), and potassium sulfate (450 kg K2O/ha).
This research holds significant implications for the agricultural sector, particularly in regions where arable land is scarce. By optimizing nutrient management, farmers can enhance both crop yields and medicinal quality, making intercropping a more viable and profitable venture. Moreover, the study’s findings could pave the way for further research into precision agriculture technologies, which could refine fertilization strategies and improve sustainability.
As Cai noted, “Future studies should assess the adaptability of this intercropping system across different soil and climatic conditions. Incorporating precision agriculture technologies may further refine fertilization strategies, while long-term monitoring is recommended to evaluate impacts on soil health and environmental sustainability.”
In an era where sustainable agriculture is more critical than ever, this research offers a promising path forward. By harnessing the power of intercropping and optimized nutrient management, farmers can cultivate both food and medicinal crops more efficiently, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.