Sugarcane-Legume Intercropping Boosts Yield, Soil Health, and Sustainability with Less Nitrogen

Sugarcane Meets Legumes: A Climate-Smart Farming Innovation

Sugarcane is a high-input, nutrient-demanding crop, and excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers often leads to soil degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and high production costs.

A recent study explored the potential of intercropping sugarcane with legumes such as cowpea, soybean, and green gram under reduced nitrogen (N) fertilizer regimes to enhance system productivity, soil health, and sustainability. The results highlight how crop diversification and precision nutrient management can deliver high yields at a lower environmental cost.

Key Findings: Productivity Meets Sustainability

1. Higher System Productivity

Intercropping sugarcane with legumes increased total biomass and sugar yield compared to sole sugarcane cropping.
Legumes fixed atmospheric nitrogen, improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

2. Improved Soil Fertility and Health

Legume intercrops enriched soil organic carbon and microbial activity.
Enhanced soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability boosted nutrient cycling for subsequent crops.

3. Reduced Nitrogen Dependency

Sugarcane yields under intercropping + reduced N fertilization matched or exceeded yields from sole sugarcane with full N inputs.
Lower synthetic N use means less nitrate leaching and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with climate-smart agriculture goals.

4. Enhanced Economic Returns

Higher yields combined with reduced fertilizer costs improved net economic returns and benefit-cost ratios, making the system more profitable and eco-friendly.

Why Legumes Are the Perfect Partners for Sugarcane

Legumes not only fix nitrogen through symbiotic bacteria but also:

Improve soil structure through deep rooting systems
Support soil microbial diversity
Provide protein-rich fodder or grain as additional outputs

This multi-benefit approach turns sugarcane farming into a diversified, resilient system rather than a monoculture.

Conclusion: Toward Sustainable Sugarcane Production

The study proves that sugarcane-legume intercropping with reduced nitrogen inputs can:

Maintain or improve yields and profitability
Enhance soil fertility and ecosystem services
Reduce the environmental footprint of sugarcane farming

As agriculture moves toward climate-resilient and resource-efficient systems, this approach offers a scalable, farmer-friendly solution for sustainable sugarcane production worldwide.

Reference

Khaliq, A., Zia Ul Haq, M., Khaliq, A., & Murtaza, G. (2025). Exploring the Synergistic Benefits of Sugarcane Intercropping with Legumes and Nitrogen Reduction on System Productivity. International Journal of Plant Production. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42106-025-00379-7