Fig 2. Schematic representation of different sampling stages of maize and soybean under different planting patterns of maize and soybean.

The 2M2S (40 cm + 160 cm) and 1M1S (50 cm: 50 cm). The SM and SS refer to sole cropping system of maize and soybean, respectively. TS, GFS and MS refers to tasseling, grain filling and maturity stages of maize corresponding to second trifoliate (V₂), fifth trifoliate (V₅), flower initiation (R₁) and full flowering after maize harvest (R₂) stage of soybean, respectively.