From Degradation to Growth: Intercropping Insights
Beata Barszczowska
beata.barszczowska@akademiagornoslaska.plAkademia Górnośląska im. W. Korfantego w Katowicach (Poland)
Sherif Ibrahim Abdel-Wahab
Crop Intensification Research Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC) (Egypt)
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2399-205X
Tamer Ibrahim Abdel-Wahab
Crop Intensification Research Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC) (Egypt)
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8506-4200
Eman Ibrahim Abdel-Wahab
Food Legumes Research Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC) (Egypt)
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2277-7238
Magda Barszczowska
Polish Economic Society Branch Office in Katowice (Poland)
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8114-940X
Abstract
Soil nutrients in lands degraded by mining may be depleted, leading to negative impacts on poultry and livestock health and growth. Intercropping offers greater soil quality benefits in mine-degraded lands compared to sole cropping. Intercropping soybeans with maize can enhance soil carbon (C) sequestration, soil oxygen (O2) levels, magnesium (Mg) levels, silicon (Si) levels, and titanium (Ti) distribution, providing a sustainable option for farmers. It also boosts potassium (K) levels in the soil, improves nutrient utilization, and mitigates aluminum (Al) toxicity on plant growth. Intercropping can decrease iron (Fe) accumulation in the soil, potentially supporting plant growth and nutrient absorption. The complementary nutrient uptake patterns of the two crops in an intercropping system contribute to these advantages. This method can increase crop yields and support plant health in mixed cropping systems. Soil nutrients in lands degraded by mines may be depleted. Intercropping offers greater soil quality benefits in mine-degraded lands compared to sole cropping. Intercropping soybeans with maize can enhance soil C sequestration, soil O2 levels, Mg levels, Si levels and Ti distribution, providing a sustainable option for farmers. It also boosts K levels in the soil, improves nutrient utilization, and mitigates Al toxicity on plant growth. Intercropping can decrease Fe accumulation in the soil, potentially support plant growth, and nutrient absorption. The complementary nutrient uptake patterns of the two crops in an intercropping system contribute to these advantages.
Keywords:
mining, soil quality, maize, soybean, intercroppingReferences
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Authors
Beata Barszczowskabeata.barszczowska@akademiagornoslaska.pl
Akademia Górnośląska im. W. Korfantego w Katowicach Poland
Authors
Sherif Ibrahim Abdel-WahabCrop Intensification Research Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC) Egypt
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2399-205X
Authors
Tamer Ibrahim Abdel-WahabCrop Intensification Research Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC) Egypt
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8506-4200
Authors
Eman Ibrahim Abdel-WahabFood Legumes Research Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC) Egypt
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2277-7238
Authors
Magda BarszczowskaPolish Economic Society Branch Office in Katowice Poland
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8114-940X
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Copyright (c) 2025 Beata Barszczowska, Sherif Ibrahim Abdel-Wahab, Tamer Ibrahim Abdel-Wahab, Eman Ibrahim Abdel-Wahab, Magda Barszczowska

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