Optimal tomato-corn intercropping system boosts water efficiency in agriculture.
Intercropping of tomato and corn can help save water in agriculture. A new model called DERIN was created to better estimate water use by plants in different arrangements. The model showed that in intercropping systems, corn and tomato compete equally for water. The best arrangement was found to be four rows of tomato with two rows of corn, which increased water use efficiency. This means that planting these crops together can help save water and improve sustainability in farming.