Maintenance of Maize Yield and Soil Fertility With Hairy Vetch Intercropping but Reduction by Rye Versus Maize Monoculture

Summary

This two-year field trial investigated the effects of intercropping maize with hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) or winter rye (Secale cereale) on grain yield and soil fertility, comparing two establishment timings against a maize monoculture control. Results indicated that hairy vetch intercropping maintained maize yields and supported soil fertility, whereas winter rye intercropping was associated with yield reductions relative to monoculture. The study contributes evidence on how cover crop species selection and sowing timing can differentially affect both productivity and soil health outcomes in cereal-based systems.

UK applicability

Although conducted in China, the findings are broadly relevant to UK arable farming practice, where cover cropping and intercropping with legumes such as hairy vetch and with cereal cover crops are increasingly promoted under agri-environment schemes and regenerative agriculture frameworks. The species-specific effects on yield and soil fertility offer transferable insights, though direct extrapolation should account for differences in climate, soil type, and maize production context.

Key measures

Maize grain yield; soil physicochemical properties (likely including bulk density, organic matter, pH, and nutrient concentrations); soil enzyme activity; intercropping sowing timing (concurrent with maize vs. two-leaf stage)

Outcomes reported

The study measured maize grain yield, soil physicochemical properties, and soil enzyme activity under monoculture and two intercropping systems (maize–hairy vetch and maize–winter rye) across two sowing timings and two growing seasons (2022 and 2023). It assessed how cover crop species identity and intercrop establishment timing jointly influence cereal productivity and soil health indicators.

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