Increasing Solar Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) of Maize (Zea mays L.) through Arranging the Layout of Several Intercrop Plants

Maize plants grown in monoculture system that often cannot utilize sunlight optimally. Intercropping methods with several C3 intercrops such as rice, soybeans, and bambara groundnuts are expected to enhance the solar radiation use efficiency (RUE) of maize plants. This study aims to improve the solar radiation use efficiency (RUE) of maize (Zea mays L.) through the arrangement of various intercrops layouts. The experiment was conducted from July to November 2021 at the Faculty of Agriculture Experimental Field, Jatimulyo, Malang, East Java. The experiment consisted of Split Plot Design (SPD) with Orthogonal Contrasts for control treatments. The main factor consisted of the type of companion crops, such as rice, soybeans, and bambara groundnuts, while the second factor was the companion crop layout, consisting of three level: one row, two rows, and three rows. The results showed that the intercropping pattern with two rows of soybeans produced the highest land equivalent ratio (LER) value of 1.38 compared to other treatments. Additionally, the intercropping system generally provided the highest interception and solar radiation use efficiency of 94.07% and 6.19%, respectively, where the companion crop treatments in one and two rows each yielded the highest RUE values of 6.88% and 6.43%. Based on the research conducted, it was concluded that the arrangement of intercrop plant layouts in the intercropping system can enhance solar radiation use efficiency (RUE) and offer potential optimization of space and resources in agricultural systems.