The Effect of Intercropping of Pinto Bean and Buckwheat on Nutrient Uptake, Beneficial Indices, and Weed Competition Reduction under Mycorrhizal Inoculation Conditions

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

1 MSc Student of Agrothechnology, Dept. of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University.

2 Professor, Dept. of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University

3 Graduated M.Sc. Student in Agrotechnology-Crop Physiology, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Modern agriculture faces challenges such as soil fertility depletion and limited water resources. Therefore, the adoption of sustainable cropping systems is essential. Mixed cropping, by enhancing biodiversity, optimizes resource use and reduces weed pressure. The mixed cropping of pinto bean (with nitrogen-fixing ability) and buckwheat (with rapid growth and high competitive ability) can improve productivity, quality, and agricultural sustainability. Furthermore, mycorrhizal fungi, as a biological fertilizer, enhance nutrient uptake and increase plant tolerance. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of mixed cropping of pinto bean–buckwheat and mycorrhizal inoculation on crop performance, plant nutrition, and biological weed control.

Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted as a 2-factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in 2023. The first factor consisted of cropping patterns (pure pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) without weed control, pure pinto bean with weed control, pure buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) without weed control, and mixed pinto bean with 30%, 60%, and 90% buckwheat density without weed control). The second factor was the application of mycorrhizal inoculant versus no inoculant. Nutrient uptake, yield of both crops, weed biomass, land equivalent ratio (LER), and the increase or decrease in actual yield were then assessed.

Results: The results showed that the highest nutrient uptake and the greatest pinto bean yield were obtained from the pure pinto bean crop with weed control. Among the mixed cropping treatments, the combination of pinto bean with 60% buckwheat density without weed control had higher yield than the other treatments. For buckwheat, the highest yield was achieved from the pure buckwheat crop without weed control, followed by the mixed cropping of pinto bean with 90% buckwheat density. Increasing the buckwheat density in the mixed cropping system significantly reduced weed biomass, indicating the high competitive ability of buckwheat in weed suppression. The application of mycorrhizal fungi also had a positive effect on nutrient uptake, improved pinto bean and buckwheat yields, and reduced weed biomass. The land equivalent ratio (LER) in all mixed cropping patterns evaluated in this study was greater than one, indicating the superiority of mixed cropping over pure cropping in terms of resource use efficiency and production sustainability.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that mixed cropping of pinto bean with 60% buckwheat density, combined with mycorrhizal inoculation, can be an effective approach to reduce weed biomass, enhance nutrient uptake, improve yields, and increase beneficial indices. This cropping combination not only contributes to the sustainability of pinto bean production but also presents an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution for weed management and optimal resource utilization in sustainable agriculture.

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References

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Journal of Crop Production
Volume 19, Issue 1
March 2026
Pages 155-179

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