Abstract

Efficient nitrogen (N) management is essential for optimizing cereal–legume intercropping systems in semi-arid South Asia, where suboptimal N supply can suppress yield and yield of both legume and cereal crop. A field experiment was conducted during the 2023–2024 Rabi season at the Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan, to evaluate the effect of three nitrogen rates (0, 80 and 120 kg ha-1) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) which were planted as sole crops and intercropped. The trial was carried out in a factorial arrangement under randomized complete block design with three replications. Wheat generally performed better in monoculture than in intercrop, with higher spikes m-2, grains spike-1, thousand-grain weight, biological yield, grain yield and harvest index. Nitrogen application at the rate of 120 kg ha-1 significantly enhanced wheat performance across systems. Intercropping of wheat-faba bean with application of 120 kg N ha-1 also maximized intercropping advantages, producing the highest relative crowding coefficient (3.58), relative yield total (1.30) and land equivalent ratio (1.30). Economic analysis indicated greater profitability for wheat + faba bean with the application of 120 kg N ha-1 (value–cost ratio, VCR = 4.23). Overall, 120 kg N ha-1 was optimal for both sole and intercropped systems, improving yield performance, land use efficiency and profitability. Findings support adoption of wheat–faba bean intercropping with adequate N (120 kg ha-1) supply in similar agro-ecologies to enhance resource-use efficiency and farm income.