Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 11-22 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 15 Research indicates that the combination of biochar with inorganic fertilizers enhances nitrogen use efficiency and maize yield, particularly in alkaline soils. This combination not only boosts yield but also improves the sugar content and flavor of maize, making it a viable strategy for enhancing crop quality (El-Syed et al., 2023). 4.3 Comprehensive effects of water-fertilizer coupling The integration of precision water and fertilizer management strategies can lead to synergistic effects that enhance maize yield and quality. For instance, drip fertigation with optimized nitrogen application rates has been shown to increase both water and nitrogen use efficiencies, resulting in higher yields and economic returns (Guo et al., 2022). Moreover, the use of manure in combination with chemical fertilizers can further improve water and nitrogen use efficiencies, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices (Liu et al., 2024). The economic benefits of precision water and fertilizer management are significant. Drip fertigation, for example, not only reduces water and nitrogen inputs but also increases net income by improving yield and resource use efficiency (Guo et al., 2022). This approach offers a cost-effective solution for enhancing maize production while minimizing environmental impacts. 5 Cultivation Patterns and Crop Rotation Techniques 5.1 Application of intercropping systems Intercropping systems, particularly those involving maize and legumes, have been shown to enhance soil health and increase crop yield. By intercropping maize with legumes such as soybeans, cowpeas, and pigeonpeas, farmers can improve nutrient uptake and soil fertility, while also reducing the prevalence of plant pathogens. This is achieved through the interactions between rhizosphere metabolites and soil microbiomes, which are more diverse in intercropped systems compared to monocultures (Liu and Zhao, 2023; Jiang et al., 2024). In Zimbabwe, intercropping maize with legumes like pigeonpea has demonstrated yield stability and increased total system yield, making it a viable option for smallholder farmers (Madembo et al., 2020). Similarly, in Mozambique, maize-legume intercropping has been found to improve food security and economic returns by enhancing soil fertility and reducing climatic risks (Rusinamhodzi et al., 2012). A case study in Kenya using a staggered maize-legume intercropping arrangement showed increased yields and economic benefits, highlighting the potential of intercropping to optimize fresh corn yield and quality (Mucheru-Muna et al., 2010). In the central plain area of Zhejiang, fresh corn is mainly intercropped with fresh soybeans or sweet potatoes in a strip intercropping-intercropping system, with three harvests per year, significantly improving land use efficiency and increasing grain yield (Wang et al., 2015) 5.2 Role of crop rotation in soil nutrients and disease control Crop rotation is a critical practice for maintaining soil health and controlling pests and diseases. By rotating crops, farmers can reduce soil nutrient depletion and minimize the incidence of pests and diseases. For instance, rotating maize with legumes like pigeonpea has been shown to significantly increase maize yield by alleviating issues associated with continuous cropping, such as striga infestation (Rusinamhodzi et al., 2012). Practice shows that in intercropping systems (A, D), root length density reaches its maximum in the 10-20 cm soil layer, while in monoculture maize (B, E), root length density is higher in the shallow soil layer, and in monoculture dry-seeded rice (C, F), roots are primarily concentrated below 20 cm (Figure 2). This indicates that intercropping systems can optimize root distribution, which not only increases soil nutrient availability but also improves soil structure and water infiltration, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices (Wu et al., 2024). Crop rotation thus serves as an effective strategy to overcome the challenges of continuous cropping and maintain long-term soil productivity. 5.3 Conservation tillage techniques Conservation tillage techniques, including crop residue mulching and no-till technologies, play a vital role in sustainable cultivation practices. These techniques help in maintaining soil moisture, reducing erosion, and enhancing soil organic matter content. For example, the integration of reduced tillage with straw retention in wheat-maize intercropping systems has been shown to boost grain yield and water use efficiency while reducing carbon emissions (Yin et al., 2018). Similarly, in highland maize production, intercropping with legumes and
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