The comparative analysis of row proportions and the effect on nutrient status maize and soybean intercropping in sandy soil of North Lombok, Indonesia

Competition is the main problem of application intercropping cultivation in sandy soil, such as water absorption, nutrients, sunlight, and growing space. Plant density and distribution are the primary roles to consume nutrient supply in the sandy soil during intercropping. The study was aimed at determining the nutritional status of maize and soybean intercropping in the sandy soil areas of North Lombok, Indonesia. The experiment was performed at Akar-Akar village in Bayan district of North Lombok and was designed with Randomized Block Design and five treatments, i.e., P1 (2 rows of maize + 2 rows of soybean), P2 (3 rows of maize + 2 rows of soybean), P3 (3 rows of maize + 3 rows of soybean), P4 (4 rows of maize + 2 rows of soybean), P5 (4 rows of maize + 3 rows of soybean). Each treatment was replicated three times. The variables observed were the nutritional status of the soil (N-total and P availability) and nutrient uptake (N and P). The result shows that intercropping patterns of 3 rows of maize and soybean (P3) with the addition of 15 tons of cattle manure per hectare and the inoculation of AMF can increase the nutritional status of soil in nitrogen and phosphorus absorption of plants’ nutrients. It is recommended for farmers to obtain high yields using an intercropping pattern of three rows of maize and three rows of soybeans. This research recommended that nutrient improvement can be achieved by intercropping three rows of maize and three rows of soybean. Further research is needed on the response to yields of various varieties of maize and soybean intercropped on sandy soil.