Upland rice varietal mixtures in Madagascar: evaluating the effects of varietal interaction on crop performance

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1266704
• Publication Date: 2023-11-20T05:17:49Z
• Authors: Koloina Rahajahar...; Bertrand Muller; Cyrille Violle; Kirsten vom Brocke; Ramavovololona; Jean Benoît Morel; Elsa Balini; Florian Fort
• Keywords: Upland rice; Crop cultivation

Rice plays a critical role in human livelihoods and food security. However, its cultivation requires inputs that are not accessible to all farming communities can have negative effects on ecosystems. simultaneously, ecological research demonstrates biodiversity management within fields contributes ecosystem functioning. This study aims evaluate the mixture effect of four functionally distinct rice varieties terms characteristics agronomic performance their spatial arrangement upland highlands Madagascar. The was conducted during 2021-2022 rainfall season at two close sites Both site differ from each other's soil properties fertility management. experimental design included three modalities: i) plot composition, i.e., pure stand or binary mixture; ii) balance between iii) for balanced (50% variety), arrangement, row checkerboard patterns. Data were collected yields (grain biomass), resistance Striga asiatica infestation, Pyricularia oryzea bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae-pv plot. Varietal mixtures produced significantly higher grain biomass yields, lower incidence compared stands. No significant differences observed BLB striga infestation. These influenced fertility, less fertilized showed stronger with greater gains yield (60%) (42%). most unbalanced repartition (75% 25% variety) greatest both sites, strong impact varietal identity effective when EARLY_MUTANT_IAC_165 constituted 75% density associated other density. assessment net ratio disease, an index evaluating disease reduction, indicated improved mixtures, regardless conditions. Our limited environments suggests enhance productivity, especially low-input situations. Further is needed understand mechanisms behind positive effect.