Review of Cereal-Legume Intercropping Systems for Sustainable Crop Production

Abstract

Yibeltal Ayana, Zenebe Abebu, Melese Endeshaw, Seid Eshetu, Adametew Alemnew and Getahun Negash

Cereal-legume intercropping, the simultaneous cultivation of a cereal and a legume on the same piece of land, is a time- tested agroecological practice gaining renewed interest for its potential to enhance agricultural sustainability. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the effects of cereal-legume intercropping on crop productivity, resource use efficiency, soil health, pest and disease dynamics, and socio-economic viability. We examine the underlying ecological mechanisms—including complementary resource use (light, water, and nutrients), biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), and plant-plant interactions—that drive system performance. The paper further examines crucial management strategies, addresses the mechanization challenges inherent to contemporary farming systems, and underscores the integral role of intercropping in building climate-resilient agricultural systems. Evidence overwhelmingly indicates that well- designed cereal-legume intercrops can improve land equivalent ratios (LER >1), reduce synthetic fertilizer dependency, enhance soil fertility, and suppress weeds and pests, thereby contributing to more sustainable and productive farming systems, despite challenges in mechanization and management. Future research should focus on optimizing species/ variety combinations, breeding for intercropping compatibility, and developing policies that support the adoption of this multifunctional practice.

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