Carob–Thyme Intercropping Systems Can Improve Yield Efficiency and Environmental Footprint Compared to Conservation Tillage
Living mulch intercropping systems are considered as nature-based solutions with a low environmental footprint for managing weeds, improving biodiversity and agroecosystem sustainability. In drylands, however, they may increase intra/inter-specific competition for water, reducing crop productivity....
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Sofia Matsi Dimitrios Sarris Vassilis Litskas |
| author_facet | Sofia Matsi Dimitrios Sarris Vassilis Litskas |
| author_sort | Sofia Matsi |
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| description | Living mulch intercropping systems are considered as nature-based solutions with a low environmental footprint for managing weeds, improving biodiversity and agroecosystem sustainability. In drylands, however, they may increase intra/inter-specific competition for water, reducing crop productivity. We tested conservation tillage (TLG) carob plots with and without irrigation (TLG<sub>irr</sub>; TLG<sub>dry</sub>) vs. rainfed intercropping systems of carob and (i) thyme (<i>Thymbra capitata</i>; T-System) or (ii) clover (<i>Trifolium squarrosum</i>; C-System), strategically planted on the south (sun)-exposed soil side (SES) of carobs, to reduce soil temperature/evaporation. Carob water relations, productivity and environmental footprints were examined for three years under semi-arid, low weed-competition (Skarinou-SKR) and arid high weed-competition (Vrysoules-VRY) conditions in Cyprus. Carob yield efficiency (kg/m<sup>3</sup>) in SKR, was >27% higher for the T-System (<i>p</i> < 0.05; SES cover ca. 85%; year-3), matching a higher leaf water content (<i>p</i> < 0.001) compared to TLG<sub>dry</sub>. The T-System reached 28% and 56% of TLG<sub>irr</sub> yields during very dry and normal rainfall years; TLG<sub>dry</sub> yields approached zero. For VRY, no negative impacts on carob leaf water, at 25% SES cover, were found. SKR’s C-System improved leaf water content (<i>p</i> < 0.05) for only one year. The T-System also outperformed TLG<sub>irr</sub> and TLG<sub>dry</sub> in terms of reducing irrigation needs and energy consumption, breaking new grounds for dryland agroforestry. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-1e26bf3d3e534d95b4adb7bda2e1fecc2025-07-25T13:09:47ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-06-01157156010.3390/agronomy15071560Carob–Thyme Intercropping Systems Can Improve Yield Efficiency and Environmental Footprint Compared to Conservation TillageSofia Matsi0Dimitrios Sarris1Vassilis Litskas2Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, CyprusKES Research Centre, Nicosia 1055, CyprusKES College, Nicosia 1055, CyprusLiving mulch intercropping systems are considered as nature-based solutions with a low environmental footprint for managing weeds, improving biodiversity and agroecosystem sustainability. In drylands, however, they may increase intra/inter-specific competition for water, reducing crop productivity. We tested conservation tillage (TLG) carob plots with and without irrigation (TLG<sub>irr</sub>; TLG<sub>dry</sub>) vs. rainfed intercropping systems of carob and (i) thyme (<i>Thymbra capitata</i>; T-System) or (ii) clover (<i>Trifolium squarrosum</i>; C-System), strategically planted on the south (sun)-exposed soil side (SES) of carobs, to reduce soil temperature/evaporation. Carob water relations, productivity and environmental footprints were examined for three years under semi-arid, low weed-competition (Skarinou-SKR) and arid high weed-competition (Vrysoules-VRY) conditions in Cyprus. Carob yield efficiency (kg/m<sup>3</sup>) in SKR, was >27% higher for the T-System (<i>p</i> < 0.05; SES cover ca. 85%; year-3), matching a higher leaf water content (<i>p</i> < 0.001) compared to TLG<sub>dry</sub>. The T-System reached 28% and 56% of TLG<sub>irr</sub> yields during very dry and normal rainfall years; TLG<sub>dry</sub> yields approached zero. For VRY, no negative impacts on carob leaf water, at 25% SES cover, were found. SKR’s C-System improved leaf water content (<i>p</i> < 0.05) for only one year. The T-System also outperformed TLG<sub>irr</sub> and TLG<sub>dry</sub> in terms of reducing irrigation needs and energy consumption, breaking new grounds for dryland agroforestry.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1560nature-based solutionsintercroppingliving mulchthymeclovercarob |
| spellingShingle | Sofia Matsi Dimitrios Sarris Vassilis Litskas Carob–Thyme Intercropping Systems Can Improve Yield Efficiency and Environmental Footprint Compared to Conservation Tillage Agronomy nature-based solutions intercropping living mulch thyme clover carob |
| title | Carob–Thyme Intercropping Systems Can Improve Yield Efficiency and Environmental Footprint Compared to Conservation Tillage |
| title_full | Carob–Thyme Intercropping Systems Can Improve Yield Efficiency and Environmental Footprint Compared to Conservation Tillage |
| title_fullStr | Carob–Thyme Intercropping Systems Can Improve Yield Efficiency and Environmental Footprint Compared to Conservation Tillage |
| title_full_unstemmed | Carob–Thyme Intercropping Systems Can Improve Yield Efficiency and Environmental Footprint Compared to Conservation Tillage |
| title_short | Carob–Thyme Intercropping Systems Can Improve Yield Efficiency and Environmental Footprint Compared to Conservation Tillage |
| title_sort | carob thyme intercropping systems can improve yield efficiency and environmental footprint compared to conservation tillage |
| topic | nature-based solutions intercropping living mulch thyme clover carob |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1560 |
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