Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment




Vol 10, Issue 2,2012
Online ISSN: 1459-0263
Print ISSN: 1459-0255


Impacts of maize intercropping with ryegrass and alfalfa on environment in fields with nitrogen fertilizer over-dose


Author(s):

Sheng-wei Nie 1, 2, Yuan-quan Chen 1*, Enejin A. Egrinya 3, Peng Sui 1*, Jian-xiong Huang 1

Recieved Date: 2012-02-10, Accepted Date: 2012-05-06

Abstract:

Accumulation of nitrate in soil increases the risk of nitrate leaching and hence ground water nitrate pollution. The impact of maize intercropping with ryegrass and alfalfa on environment in farming systems has been little studied in China. Using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method, we analyzed the effects of different cropping systems (sole maize (CK), maize + ryegrass (CRT), and maize + alfalfa (CAT)) on the environment. The comprehensive index of environmental impacts varied in the order, sole maiz>maize + ryegrass>maize + alfalfa, with corresponding values of 0.1421, 0.1353 and 0.1299, respectively. The results showed that intercropping maize with alfalfa and ryegrass could reduce the adverse effects of over- application of nitrogen fertilizer on the environment. The study further demonstrated that the LCA method may be a convenient and effective approach for analyzing the environmental impact of fertilizer management in agricultural fields. 

Keywords:

Life cycle assessment, intercropping, environment impact, nitrogen fertilizer


Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 896-901


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