Intercropping legumes and cereals increases phosphorus use efficiency; a meta-analysis

Summary

Abstract Aims Intercropping cereals with legumes may achieve high crop yields at reduced input levels. Several studies have indicated that intercropping increases phosphorus use efficiency but no overarching analysis exists on the role of species traits and input levels. Here we synthesize the available information on P use efficiency in cereal/legume intercropping. Methods Global data on yields, P uptake and nutrient input in cereal/legume mixtures were extracted from the literature and statistically analyzed. Co-variables explaining P uptake efficiency and yield were considered. Results P uptake was substantially increased with an average value of LER P , the land equivalent ratio for P uptake, of 1.24, and an average NE P (observed P uptake minus expected P uptake) of 3.67 kg P ha −1 .