Search

Intercropping is a vital cropping system that can create a conducive growth environment for crops and enhance land productivity. Tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus L.) have high oil content and are adaptable to various soil types, making them a promising new oil crop with significant development potential. This study evaluated the plant height, leaf area, tiller numbers, biomass, land equivalent ratio (LER), and root morphological characteristics of tiger nuts. The agronomic traits and root distribution of tiger nuts and other crops were further investigated to achieve the goal of high yield for tiger nuts. Seven intercropping systems were implemented in the experiment: maize–tiger nut intercropping (MT), soybean–tiger nut intercropping (ST), cotton–tiger nut intercropping (CT), monoculture tiger nut (T), monoculture maize (M), monoculture soybean (S), and monoculture cotton (C). The results indicated that under different planting systems, the agronomic traits of tiger nuts in MT and ST modes were superior, with plant height and tiller numbers increasing by 7.6% to 11.6%. However, the plant height and Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) values in CT mode were slightly lower than in T mode. Additionally, intercropping reduced the leaf area by 6.2% to 37.9%. Root development was more pronounced in intercropping modes, with the ST mode showing the most significant improvement, increasing the 0–20 cm root length density (RLD) by 12.2% to 45.7%. Therefore, each of the three intercropping modes demonstrated distinct advantages. The LER of the intercropping systems ranged from 1.10 to 1.24, enhancing land utilization, with tiger nuts being the dominant species. Compared to monoculture, the ST mode exhibited the best overall effect. Understanding the impact of different planting systems on tiger nuts provides valuable insights for developing tiger nut cultivation in Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dryland agroecosystems, intercropping fruit trees with legumes is often an important option for maintaining and improving soil N quality and fertility. The relationships of fine root length density (FRLD), soil water content (SWC), and soil NO3−-N content (SNC) in agroforestry systems is essential for optimal orchard management. Our objective was to understand the temporal and spatial dynamics of FRLD, SWC, and SNC in an apple–soybean intercropping system and competition between species for ecological niches. We established an orchard with soybean and apple, including monoculture apple (MA), monoculture soybean (MS), and apple–soybean intercrop (AS) treatments. We collected data on the distribution of FRLD, SWC, SNC, and productivity under the MA, AS, and MS from 2020 to 2021. This study showed that AS had more FRLD compared to MA, and intercropping apple (IA) FRLD increased at 20–60 cm soil depth at 50 and 100 cm from the tree and decreased at 0–40 cm soil depth at 150 and 200 cm from the tree. Intercropping increased the SWC of the system and decreased the SNC, and the effect of intercropping was concentrated in the soybean cover area. The competition between apple and soybean reached its maximum at soybean seed filling stage, with competition occurring mainly at 100 cm from the tree and at 0–20 cm soil depth. Intercropping affected soybean growth and also reduced soybean yield with a land equivalent ratio = 1.45. By understanding the dynamics of subsoil resources in the apple–soybean intercropping system and interspecific competition, we can provide a theoretical basis for exploring the potential of sustainable intensification of agroforestry systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cause of yield increase in crop strip intercropping is often inseparable from the boundary effect, and the distribution of roots and nutrients in the below-ground has an important influence on plant growth. However, previous studies on the boundary effect of intercropping have mainly focused on the above-ground part, and the state of the below-ground part is unknown. So we investigated the distribution of roots, water and NO3—N in the belowground part of the border row(adjacent rows of two crops in intercropping) in a maize and soybean strip intercropping system at different plant growth stage. There were three treatments in this experiment: maize monocrop, soybean monocrop and maize–soybean intercrop (four rows of maize and four rows of soybean). The distribution of maize roots extended beyond and below the border with the soybean rows and was concentrated in the 0–20 cm soil layer, while the growth of intercropped soybean roots was inhibited by maize. Intercropping increased the soil water content (SWC) in soybean rows at the podding stage and in maize rows at the drumming stage, and intercropping had a greatly effect on SWC of the system as a whole. Intercropping also increased the soil NO3—N content (SNC) in the intercropping system at the podding stage and had a negative effect at the drumming stage, and the effect of SNC in the intercropped maize rows was wider, while for intercropped soybean it was limited to the adjacent rows of soybean. The effect of intercropping on SWC and SNC occurred mainly in the 20–60 cm soil layer. Intercropping increased the grain weight of maize and decreased the grain weight and pods per soybean plant. Overall, the root system of maize in the border rows in the intercropping pattern extended into the soybean rows, intercropping increased soil water and soil nitrate-N levels in maize during the critical yield formation period, resulting in increased maize yields, while soybean was negatively affected in the intercropping pattern resulting in reduced yields, and we have calculated that intercropping maize and soybean has advantages in terms of land productivity and water use. • The interactions between maize and soybean occurred at the pod and drum stages. • The distribution of maize roots extended below the border soybean rows. • Intercropping had a greatly effect on soil water content of the system as a whole. • Intercropping increased soil NO 3 —N content in maize rows and soybean border row. • Changes in soil NO 3 —N and water in intercropping were occurred at 20–60 cm depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To accelerate rural development, give play to regional advantages and improve economic benefits, the Chinese government has been promoting strongly the establishment of new agricultural operating entities, and adopting the planting of fruit-legume agroforestry system. However, the current popular planting pattern lacks comprehensive benefit evaluation from two aspects of yield and economy, and farmers lacks practical reference. The purpose of this study was to investigate the planting status, agronomical and economic benefits of agroforestry in large-scale professional farming households, and to determine the optimal planting pattern in Xinjiang. This experiment consists of field measurements and a questionnaire. (1) According to the common planting patterns in this region, the following five treatments were compared in Xinjiang: plumcot + soybean intercropping (PSI) (1.2 m interval between two species, soybean wide narrow row planting), plumcot + alfalfa intercropping (PAI) (1.0 m interval between two species, 0.15 m interval between alfalfa rows), sole-cropped soybean (SS) (soybean wide narrow row planting), sole-cropped alfalfa (SA) (0.15 m interval between alfalfa rows), and sole-cropped plumcot (SP) (5 m interval between plumcot rows). The underground interspecific competitiveness index, yield, land equivalent ratio (LER), Soluble solids content (SSC), fruit firmness and economic benefit were measured. (2) A two-stage stratified sampling procedure was applied. Eighteen fruit-legume large-scale professional farming households in each selected administrative unit were stratified into intercropping with soybean or intercropping with alfalfa. The questionnaire survey investigated field management, sales channels, economic benefits and other information. Large-scale professional farming households are scientific and market sensitive in developing agroforestry intercropping. Plumcot was consistently less competitive, and the main competitive area of the root system occurred at a depth of 0–0.2 m. The competition intensity of plumcot + alfalfa intercropping (PAI) was weaker than that of plumcot + soybean intercropping (PSI). Compared with sole-cropping, the yield of each species under intercropping decreased, especially that of alfalfa, but the land equivalent ratio increased. Plumcot intercropped with alfalfa had a higher soluble solids content. Intercropping has greater economic benefits, especially PAI. PAI was the most suitable planting pattern which can effectively solve the dilemma that fruit trees are not profitable in the juvenile growth stage of a plumcot. An intercropping pattern can effectively solve the dilemma that fruit trees cannot make profits in the early stage of planting. There are few relevant research reports, and farmers lack decision-making suggestions on scientific planting and comprehensive economic benefits. Based on our findings, we suggest that large-scale professional farming households should develop the planting pattern of intercropping between fruit trees and legumes, especially new species of fruit trees and alfalfa. This will provide decision support for them to obtain benefits, improve land use efficiency and improve farmland ecology. [Display omitted] • Comprehensive benefit analysis can provide decision-making basis for farmers' planting and development. • Determine the maximum benefit agroforestry planting system in Yili, Xinjiang. • The topsoil layer was the main competition area interspecific competition. • Planting plumcot + alfalfa can obtain the best ecological and economic benefits. • The effective agroforestry pattern can solve the problem of profit in the early stage of tree planting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to establish a jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.)–cotton (Gossypium hirsutum Linn.) intercropping agroforestry system in the south and north of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and to determine the impact of intercropping systems on microclimate, yield, and income compared with sole-cropping planting. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was carried out in the Hotan and Shihezi areas to measure photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) on the space-time scale, air temperature on the time scale, wind speed and windproof efficiency on the time scale, and yield and income. Through correlation analysis, the relationship between intercropping microclimate and intercropping yield were revealed. Compared with corresponding sole-cropping cotton, the PAR of intercropping in Hotan and Shihezi was 13.04% and 12.75% lower, respectively, and the closer to the tree alley, the smaller it was. Intercropping changed the daily dynamics of air temperature, especially at high temperatures, under which the decrease range was significant. Intercropping has buffer effect and latent heat release on air temperature and the maximum temperature in Hotan and Shihezi intercropping was 13.57% and 6.49 lower than that in sole-cropping, respectively. Intercropping reduced the wind speed, the greater the wind speed in a certain range, the stronger the windproof efficiency. The maximum windproof efficiency of Hotan intercropping was 50.92%, and that of Shihezi was 48.56%. The intercropping system had advantages in land equivalent ratio (LER), yield, and income. The income of intercropping was 11622.38–12528.55 USD·hm−2, 55.41–61.91% higher than that of sole-cropping cotton and 19.19–20.37% higher than that of sole-cropping jujube. The results showed that the development of jujube-cotton intercropping could protect the growing environment of cotton and increase farmers' economic income by improving the field microclimate. • Intercropping reduces photosynthetically active radiation especially near tree. • Intercropping has buffer effect and latent heat release on air temperature. • Intercropping protects cotton from sandstorm by improving windproof efficiency. • Jujube–cotton intercropping has advantages of economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]