Question:

The interaction between legume and non-legume plants in the form of supplementation is called:

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Think about what a legume gives the non-legume crop without taking anything away from it, that is the nitrogen supplementation effect.
  • Annidation
  • Allelopathic
  • Antagonism
  • Supplementary
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question is about how two different crops grown together, a legume and a non-legume, can interact, and it names one specific type of interaction where one crop supplements, rather than competes with, the other.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Intercropping theory recognises several kinds of interaction between component crops. Competition happens when both crops draw on the same limited resource and both lose out. Allelopathy is a chemical interaction where one plant releases substances that harm the other. Antagonism is a broad term for a harmful, competitive relationship between the two crops. A supplementary effect is different from all of these: it occurs when one crop makes use of a resource, or provides a benefit, that does not take anything away from the other crop.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
In a legume and non-legume mixture, the legume fixes atmospheric nitrogen through its root nodules and adds to the nitrogen economy of the system.
This nitrogen benefit supplements the associated non-legume's nitrogen supply without the legume having to compete with the non-legume for the same pool of soil nitrogen.
Because the benefit is additive rather than something taken from a shared, limited resource, agronomists call this a supplementary interaction, not a competitive or antagonistic one.
Annidation refers instead to plants separating their use of resources in space or time, such as different rooting depths, which reduces competition but is a distinct concept from directly supplementing the partner crop.
Allelopathy and antagonism both describe harmful interactions, which is the opposite of what a beneficial legume and non-legume mixture is meant to achieve.

Step 4: Final Answer:
This beneficial, non-competitive legume and non-legume interaction is called a supplementary effect.
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