Enter the yield of crops in both intercropping and monoculture systems into the calculator to determine the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER).

Land Equivalent Ratio Calculator

Enter the values to calculate the Land Equivalent Ratio

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Land Equivalent Ratio Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Land Equivalent Ratio for a given set of yields. 

LER = (Y_{Ai} / Y_{Am}) + (Y_{Bi} / Y_{Bm})

Variables:

  • LER is the Land Equivalent Ratio
  • YAi is the yield of Crop A in intercropping
  • YAm is the yield of Crop A in monoculture
  • YBi is the yield of Crop B in intercropping
  • YBm is the yield of Crop B in monoculture

To calculate the Land Equivalent Ratio, divide the yield of each crop in intercropping by its yield in monoculture. Sum the results to get the LER.

What is Land Equivalent Ratio?

The Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) is a metric used in agriculture to compare the productivity of intercropping systems to monoculture systems. It is a measure of the efficiency of land use when growing multiple crops together compared to growing them separately. An LER greater than 1 indicates that intercropping is more efficient, while an LER less than 1 indicates that monoculture is more efficient. This ratio helps farmers and researchers determine the best cropping strategies for maximizing yield and resource use.

How to Calculate Land Equivalent Ratio?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Land Equivalent Ratio.

  1. First, determine the yield of Crop A in intercropping (YAi).
  2. Next, determine the yield of Crop A in monoculture (YAm).
  3. Next, determine the yield of Crop B in intercropping (YBi).
  4. Next, determine the yield of Crop B in monoculture (YBm).
  5. Finally, calculate the Land Equivalent Ratio using the formula LER = (YAi / YAm) + (YBi / YBm).
  6. After inserting the values and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Yield of Crop A in Intercropping (YAi) = 3 tons/ha

Yield of Crop A in Monoculture (YAm) = 2 tons/ha

Yield of Crop B in Intercropping (YBi) = 4 tons/ha

Yield of Crop B in Monoculture (YBm) = 3 tons/ha