Intercropping with vegetables boosts winter maize yield and nutrient uptake.
A study looked at growing winter maize with vegetables like radish, spinach, and carrot to see how it affects yield and nutrient uptake. Maize grown alone had higher protein content and yield, but intercropping had more organic carbon and matter. Intercropping was better for yield and land use efficiency. Maize paired with carrot was the most efficient and profitable system. Intercropping increased nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake by maize. Maize with spinach had the highest nutrient uptake, followed by maize with carrot and then maize with radish.