Dynamics of the Abiotic Environment in Various Populations Proportions of Intercropping of Sweet Corn and Cowpea

Abstract Sweet corn is a plant that is widely grown in Indonesia because it has advantages over corn in general. Sweet corn is generally grown in monoculture, which has several disadvantages. Sweet corn can be planted intercropping, and cowpea are one plant that can act as an intercrop. This research aims to determine the dynamics of environmental conditions in various proportions of sweet corn and cowpea intercropping populations. This research is an experimental study with a single factor arranged in a complete randomized block design with three blocks as replications. The treatment is the population proportion of sweet corn and cowpea, consisting of 3 proportions, namely 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3. Monoculture sweet corn and cowpea were also planted for comparison. Monoculture sweet corn is planted with a spacing of 75 cm × 25 cm; Cowpea are planted at 25 cm × 25 cm, while intercrops are planted at a spacing according to treatment. Observations were made on light intensity, extinction coefficient, air temperature, air humidity, wind speed, soil moisture, soil temperature, and water content. The results showed that intercropping sweet corn and cowpea with population proportions of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 caused a decrease in light intensity, a reduction in wind speed, a decrease in air temperature, and an increase in air temperature and humidity. The population proportion of sweet corn and cowpea 1:3 results in better abiotic environmental conditions. Farmers can use the results of this research if they want to plant sweet corn by intercropping with cowpea with a population proportion of 1:3.