Intercropping boosts cotton biomass production by over 100% through nutrient uptake.
Intercropping different plants with cotton can boost growth by increasing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels. A study compared cotton grown alone to cotton grown with garlic, peanut, or wheat. Intercropping increased cotton biomass by 15.5%, with peanut/cotton showing the most improvement. Nutrient concentrations in cotton also rose with intercropping. Using root partitions helped increase nutrient uptake. Intercropping enhanced N, P, and K content in cotton, leading to higher biomass production. Intercropping improved N production by 46.7%, P by 57.3%, and K by 106% compared to growing cotton alone. Intercropping can help plants grow better by sharing nutrients and reducing competition underground.