Abstract

Increasing Productivity, Profitability And Sustainability With Vegetable Intercropping Systems

Author(s): Ertan Yildirim

The rapid and continuous increment of the world population as well as the destruction of arable land has led to the adopting of many alternative crop planting systems. The main goal for such alternative agricultures is to enhance the overall efficiency and productivity of these lands and to eliminate world hunger. Due to its effective use of water, nutrients and solar energy, intercropping can significantly enhance crop productivity as compared to sole cropping. Studies have indicated that intercropping was more productive than sole cropping because of the complementary effects of intercrops. However, the scope of improving vegetable production through suitable intercrop combinations has not yet been exploited to its full potential. Therefore, an understanding of the relationship and the use of resources between component crops can help to identify more appropriate agronomic manipulations and cultivars for intercrops.