Several Cotton Rotation and Intercropping Systems in Cotton Planting Area of Eastern Henan Province

In recent years,the area dedicated to cotton cultivation in eastern Henan Province has experienced a continuous decline.Developing efficient multi-cropping systems for cotton and increasing the multiple cropping index represent effective strategies to stabilize the cotton planting area and enhance the income of cotton farmers.This paper presents an overview of intercropping systems and the benefits associated with cotton rotation and intercropping practices.Specifically,it discusses the"early maturing cotton-wheat"rotation system,the"cotton-watermelon"intercropping system,the"cotton-Dutch bean"intercropping system,and the"early maturing cotton-peanut-garlic"intercropping system.

Assessing the Efficacy of Wheat-Soybean Based Intercropping System at Different Plant Densities in Bambili, Cameroon

Wheat is one of the most important cereals in the world, serving as a staple for millions globally. In the wake of the geopolitical crisis between Russia and Ukraine, it has become incumbent for many countries to invest in wheat production. Improving cropping systems for wheat production is paramount. Intercropping cereals with legumes has tremendous advantages. Therefore, this study was designed to optimize wheat production by intercropping it with soybean at different densities. Between March and August 2023, a randomized complete block design trial was conducted in Bambili, North West of Cameroon with treatments T1 (wheat monocrop at 200,000 plants ha−1), T2 (soybean monocrop at 250,000 plants ha−1), T3 (200,000 wheat and 125,000 soybean ha−1), T4 (100,000 wheat and 250,000 soybean ha−1), T5 (200,000 wheat and 250,000 soybean ha−1) and T6 (100,000 wheat and 125,000 soybean ha−1). Results revealed that growth parameters of wheat were not significantly influenced by monocrop or intercrop. The yield of wheat was significantly higher in the monocrop than the intercrop treatments, with slight variation amongst the intercrop treatments. Soybean yield was higher in the monocrop than in the intercrop, with no variations amongst the intercrop treatments. Only the land equivalence ratio (LER) for T5 was greater than 1.0. The competitive ratio for T5 was 0.54 for wheat and 1.90 for soybean, comparatively lower than the other monocrop treatments. Intercropping wheat and soybean at 200,000:250,000 ratio is recommended.

Assessment of Nitrogen Fixation, Uptake, and Leaching in Maize/Soybean Intercropping System at Varied Soil Depths and under Phosphorus Application in Chinese Agricultural Settings

The study of Nitrogen fixation, uptake, and leaching at different soil depths in the co-cultivation of maize and soybean under phosphorus fertilization is important for sustainable agriculture. This study was conducted in Quzhou, Hebei Province, China, with MC812 maize and Jidou12 soybean varieties. Soil samples were taken from each plot to create a composite sample. The results show that nitrogen concentration varies at different depths and is higher in all treatments between 40 and 100 cm. Incorporating intercropping of maize and soybeans into farming practices can lead to more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture in China.

Effects of intercropping systems of trees with soybean on soil physicochemical properties in juvenile plantations

The intercropping system of tree with soybean in juvenile plantations, as a short-term practice, was applied at Lao Shan Experimental Station in Mao＇er Shan Forest of Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. The larch （Larix gmelinii）lsoybean （Glycine max.） and ash （Fraxinus mandshurica） intercropping systems were studied in the field to assess the effects of the intercropping on soil physicochemical properties. The results showed that soil physical properties were improved after soybean intercropping with larch and ash in one growing season. The soil bulk density in larch/soybean and ash/soybean systems was 1.112 g·cm^-3 and 1.058 g·cm^ 3, respectively, which was lower than that in the pure larch or ash plantation without intercropping. The total soil porosity also increased after intercropping. The organic matter amount in larch/soybean system was 1.77 times higher than that in the pure larch plantation, and it was 1.09 times higher in ash/soybean system than that in the pure ash plantation. Contents of total nitrogen and hydrolyzable nitrogen in larch/soybean system were 4.2% and 53.0% higher than those in the pure larch stand. Total nitrogen and hydrolyzable nitrogen contents in ash/soybean system were 75.5% and 3.3% higher than those in the pure ash plantation. Total phosphorus content decreased after intercropping, while change of available phosphorus showed an increasing trend. Total potassium and available potassium contents in the larch/soybean system were 0.6% and 17.5% higher than those in the pure larch stand. Total potassium and available potassium contents in the ash/soybean system were 56.4% and 21.8% higher than those in the oure ash plantation.

Impacts of soil fertility management on productivity and economics of rice and fodder intercropping systems under rainfed conditions in Odisha,India

Under small and marginal farm conditions,allocation of land exclusively for forages is not possible.Hence,integration of forages in existing crop geometry can ensure production of grain and fodder,simultaneously under rainfed conditions.Afield experiment was conducted to study the effect of different nutrient management practices on rice and fodder intercropping systems under rainfed conditions during 2015-2017.The intercropping system comprised(i)sole rice(R),(ii)rice and cowpea(5:2)(CP)and(iii)rice and ricebean(5:2)(RB)whereas the different nutrient management practices comprised(i)application of farm yard manure(FYM)at 5t ha^(-1)(farmers'practice)(N_(1)),(ii)application of inorganic fertilizer(recommended dose of fertilizer(RDF)of rice,60:30:30 kg ha^(-1) of N:P_(2)O_(5):K_(2)O)(N_(2))and(iii)application of both FYM at 5t ha^(-1) and 50%of RDF inorganic fertilizer(N3).The results of the experiment revealed that the growth attribute such as leaf area was influenced significantly when fodder crops were taken as intercrops because rice plant was getting more nitrogen from soil due to nitrogen fixation of leguminous fodder crops.Among the nutrient management practices,significant differences in leaf area were found beween N2 and and between N_(3)and N_(1)treatments.However,regarding total number of effective tillers,significant differences were found neither between nutrient management practices nor between cropping systems.The rice equivalent yield(REY)based on price(REY_(P))was found to be significantly lower in CP(2615 kg ha^(-1);-6.4%)and RB intercropping systems(2571 kg ha^(-1);-8.0%)than in R monocropping system(2794 kg ha^(-1)).However,the REY based on energy(REY_(E))of CP(2999 kg ha^(-1);+7.3%)and RB(2960 kg ha^(-1);+5.9%)were found to be significantly higher than that of R(2794 kg ha^(-1))irrespective of nutrient management practices.Between different nutrient management practices,the N3 treatment recorded the highest REY_(P)and REY_(E)which was at par with the N_(2)treatment and significantly higher than the N1 treatment irrespective of cropping systems.The combined application of both organic and inorganic sources of nutrients helped to supply nutrients throughout the growing season,which led to improved growth parameters and rice yield.The R monocropping system resulted in more income and rain water use efficiency(RWUE)closely followed by rice and fodder intercropping systems.However,the REYe and energy use efficiency(EUE)of rice and fodder intercropping systems were higher than those of R.Also,fodder helped to meet the requirement of cattle feeding in the off-season.Hence,the intercropping system is advocated in the study zone.Further study can be done on ecosystem services and carbon sequestration potential of the intercropping system,as well as the system's coping ability in response to short drought through observing periodic soil moisture regime in root zone.

Effects of Spatial Row Arrangement and Time of Planting Intercrops on Performance of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Maize (Zea mays L.)—Groundnut Intercropping System in Ejura

In monoculture, crop failure due to biotic or abiotic causes can result in partial or total output failure. The yield, socio-economic, and environmental effects of intercropping on the farmer and the environment as a whole have not received much attention. There is a dearth of knowledge on the productivity of maize-groundnut intercrops in Ghana regarding the relative timing of planting and spatial arrangement of component crops. Therefore, the objective of the study was to determine the effects of spatial row arrangement and the time of planting intercrops on the productivity of groundnut under maize-groundnut intercropping. The 5 × 3 factorial field experiment was undertaken at the Miminaso community in the Ejura-Sekyedumase municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana during the 2020 cropping seasons. Treatments were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The levels of row arrangement of intercrops were: one row of maize and one row of groundnut (1M1G), one row of maize and two rows of groundnut (1M2G), two rows of maize and one row of groundnut (2M1G), two rows of maize and two rows of groundnut (2M2G), sole maize and sole groundnut (M/G). The levels of time of introducing groundnut included simultaneous planting of intercrops (0 WAP), planting groundnut one week after planting maize (1 WAP) and planting groundnut two weeks after planting maize (2 WAP). There were significant (P 0.05) treatment interactions for pod and seed yields of groundnut throughout the study. The highest groundnut pod yields of 1815.00 kg/ha and 2359.00 kg/ha were recorded by the 0WAP × 1M2G treatment in the major and minor seasons of 2020, respectively, while the highest groundnut seed yields of 741.00 kg/ha and 726.00 kg/ha were recorded in the major and minor rainy seasons of 2020 by 1WAP × G and 0WAP × G treatments, respectively. The highest seed yields of groundnut (404 kg/ha and 637 kg/ha for major and minor rainy seasons, respectively) were produced by 1WAP × 2M2G.

Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.) and Land Equivalent Ratio under Maize-Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) Intercropping System

Soil fertility continues to decline in Ghana due to unsustainable human activities like bush burning, quarrying, improper farming practices, among others. To resolve this challenge, crop farmers resort to continuous use of mineral fertilizers in Ghana, which contaminates the environment and makes crop farming less sustainable and productive. One of the strategies to improve soil fertility and productivity for sustainable crop yields is intercropping. Studies were, therefore, undertaken at Miminaso in the Ejura-Sekyedumase municipality of Ashanti Region of Ghana during the 2020 cropping seasons to determine the effects of spatial row arrangement and time of planting maize and groundnut intercrops on productivity of maize and land equivalent ratio (LER). One row of maize and one row of groundnut (1M1G), one row of maize and two rows of groundnut (1M2G), two rows of maize and one row of groundnut (2M1G), two rows of maize and two rows of groundnut (2M2G), sole maize (M) and sole groundnut (G) were factorially arranged with concurrent planting of intercrops (0 WAP), planting groundnut one week after planting maize (1 WAP) and planting groundnut two weeks after planting maize (2 WAP) in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. There were significant treatment interaction (P < 0.05) effects for shelling percentage for maize in both seasons of the trial. In the major season of 2020, the highest shelling percentage of 79.30% was associated with 0 WAP × M, while in the minor season of 2020, the highest shelling percentage of 75.02% was recorded by 0 WAP × 2M1G. The treatment interaction effects for maize grain yield were significant only in the minor season of 2020 with the highest maize grain yield of 6341 kg/ha being produced by the sole maize treatment, followed by 1 WAP × 2M2G (6152 kg/ha). The highest LER of 3.05 was associated with 1 WAP × 2M2G in the minor season of 2020. Planting groundnuts within the first week of planting maize (1 WAP) increased maize seed yield and LER in two rows of maize and two rows of groundnut (2M2G) row arrangements.

Effects of N,P and K Amounts on Yield Traits of Wheat in Wheat-cotton Intercropping System

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the demands for N, P and K by wheat in wheat cotton intercropping system in high-fertility field of Hebei Province. [Method] The experiment adopted randomized block arrangement. Five treatments （0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 kg/hm2） were designed for N, P and K. Wheat tillering, ear number, yield and yield components were investigated. [Result] Wheat yield increased significantly with the application of N fertilizer. The number of ears per unit area, number of grains per ear, 1 000-grain weight and yield were im- proved with N increasing. P fertilizer improved wheat yield at a certain degree, but K had no effect on wheat yield. ]Conclusion] The optimum fertilization for wheat-cot- ton intercropping system was N at 225-300 kg/hm2 and P2Os at 150 kg/hm2; and there is no need to apply K.

Influence of Fruit Tree Types and Arrangements on Yield, Quality and Economic Returns of Cotton of Intercropping System in Southern Xinjiang

[Objective] The aim was to provide a theoretical basis for stable and highly effective intercropping arrangements and scientific management measures by selecting apple, pear, peach, apricot, walnut, jujube and other fruit trees to study their influence on yield, fiber quality and economic returns of intercropped cotton in southern Xinjiang. [Method] Based on major cropping pattern in production, randomized block design was adopted to explore growth indicators, canopy micrometeorological indicators, yield and fiber quality in key growth stage. [Result] Shading has a significant effect on cotton canopy micro-environment and canopy diameter is proportional to shading effect. According to comparisons of the same tree type, the change of canopy micro-environment was as follows： under canopyouter canopymiddle points and peachpearapplewalnutjujube for comparisons among different tree types. Canopy diameter is directly proportional to the number of tree branch and boll weight reductions and shading is the main cause of yield reduction. The canopy expansion is the major cause of decline of light intensity, temperature and humidity of cotton canopy. [Conclusion] Fruit trees, which will promote cotton yield,quality and canopy-environment, are as follows： jujube walnut apple pear peach trees. In practice, trees, which are small in canopy or well trimmed, are popular in production, such as jujube trees, to improve cotton yield and fiber quality.

Highly-efficient Intercropping Mode and Selection of Suitable Peanut Varieties in Maize and Peanut Intercropping Systems

[Objective] The aim was to explore efficient maize and peanut intercrop-ping mode and select suitable peanut varieties of the mode in Yungui Plateau. [Method] In the test, 6 cropping methods were set by randomized block design. Yields and economic benefits were measured in mature stage with Excelland DPS. [Result] Compared with monoculture, maize and peanut intercropping systems took advantages and LER values were proved higher than 1. In the intercropping system with maize and Yun peanut No.3 at 2∶2, in particular, the value of LER was 1.40 and compound yield reached 9 036 kg/hm2; the net output values of maize kernel and fresh/dry peanut pod increased by 182.63% and 140.59%, compared with maize by monoculture. In addition, the output values of Yun peanut No.3 by monoculture and intercropping system increased by 5 069 and 3 272 yuan/hm2, respectively, than Yanshan conventional peanut varieties. [Conclusion] The efficient intercropping system with maize and peanut mode at 2∶2 mode in Yungui plateau and the Yun peanut No.3 exhibited higher yield and economic benefit advantages, compared with Yanshan conventional planting peanut varieties.

Effects of Sowing Rate on Marginal Superiority and Yield of Wheat in Wheat-cotton Intercropping System

In the wheat-cotton intercropping system, total 6 sowing rates （187.5, 225.0, 262.5, 300.0, 337.5 and 375.0 kg/hm2） were arranged, and the effects of sowing rate on marginal superiority and yield of wheat were investigated. The re- sults showed that the effect of sowing rate on inner-line wheat was greater than that on side-line wheat; with the increased sowing rate, the marginal superiority of panicle number was reduced in overall, and the difference in panicle number be- tween inner and side lines was decreased from 9.0×10^5/hm2 （sowing rate of 187.5 kg/hm2） to 7.8×10^5/hm2 （sowing rate of 375.0 kg/hm2）; the marginal superiority of grains per spike was increased first and then reduced, and the largest difference in grains per spike between the inner and side lines reached 4.6 under the sowing rate of 300.0 kg/hm2; the marginal superiority of 1 000-grain weight and yield was gradually increased, and the largest difference in 1 000-grain weight between the inner and side lines reached 3.9 g under the sowing rate of 337.5 kg/hm2, and in yield reached 3 136.5 kg/hm2under the sowing rate of 375.0 kg/hm2. The effects of sowing rate on the three yield factors of intercropped wheat ranked as panicle number 〉 grains per spike 〉 1 000-grain weight. The appropriate sowing rate of wheat was 225.0-262.0 kg/hm2 in the wheat-cotton intercropping system.

Analysis on Marginal Superiority and Yield of Different Wheat Varieties in Wheat-cotton Intercropping System

In wheat-cotton intercropping system,the spike number per unit area,grains per spike,thousand-grain weight and yield of side line and inner line were investigated in six wheat varieties to study the marginal superiority and select suitable wheat varieties intercropped with cotton.The results showed that Xingmai No.4had obvious marginal superiority with the yield of 6 919.0 kg/hm2,so it was the suitable variety for wheat-cotton intercropping system.

Study on Yield Potential of Autumn Potato/Rapeseed Intercropping System in Rice Field

In order to expIore the yield potential, regional adaptabiIity and key cuItiva-tion techniques of autumn potato/rapeseed intercropping system, and analyze its benefit performance and popuIarization value, the contrast experiments of Iarge re-gion were conducted in Yongchuan and Kalxian of Chongqing city from 2011 to 2012. The resuIts showed that the benefit increasing effect was significant because autumn potato/rapeseed intercropping patterns couId galn more one season potato in rice-rapeseed rotation area. The average yield of autumn potato and rapeseed in two test points were 13 567.35 and 2 663.25 kg/hm2 respectiveIy, and the total out-put value and net income reached to 38 773.05 yuan/hm2 and 15 772.5 yuan/hm2 respectiveIy, and cash income attalned 38 773.05 yuan/hm2, and net income reached 23 000.55 yuan/hm2, and the increased income was 17 221.8 yuan/hm2 and it increased by 310.3% comparing with rapeseed of soIe cropping. Therefore, the autumn potato/rapeseed intercropping in rice field is a new efficient cuItivation technique with very significant ecoIogical and economic benefit.

Effects of Intercropping Systems of Castor Bean, Maize and Common Bean on Their Growth and Seed Yield in the Soudano Guinea Zone of Cameroon

Field trial was carried out in the Soudano-Guinean zone of Cameroon to investigate the effect of intercropping systems of castor bean with common bean and maize on their growth and yield. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used and five treatments： castor bean in monoculture or in association with common beans or maize, common bean in monoculture and in association with castor bean, maize in monoculture and in association with castor bean. The growth parameters and seed yield were evaluated. Castor beans associated with either maize or common bean grew faster compared to the monoculture system. In addition common bean exhibited fast growth and high seed yield when associated to castor bean, while, no significant difference was observed for maize. In conclusion, the culture of castor bean in association with common bean or maize is advantageous for the peasants in the Adamawa Cameroon region.

Nitrate Leaching from Maize Intercropping Systems with N Fertilizer Over-Dose

A 2-yr field experiment was conducted on a calcareous alluvial soil with four summer maize intercropping systems at Shangzhuang Experiment Station （116.3°E, 39.9°N） in the North China Plain. The objective was to determine nitrate leaching from intercropping systems involving maize （Zea mays L.）： sole maize （CK）, maize ＋ soybean （CST）, maize ＋ groundnut （CGT）, maize ＋ ryegrass （CHM）, and maize ＋ alfalfa （CMX）. Intercropping greatly reduced nitrate accumulation in the 100-200 cm soil layers compared with maize monoculture. Nitrate accumulation under intercropping systems decreased significantly at the 140-200 cm soil depth; the accumulation varied in the order CK〉CST〉CMX〉CHM〉CGT. However, compared to the CK treatment, nitrate leaching losses during the maize growing period were reduced by 20.9- 174.8 （CGT）, 35.2-130.8 （CHM）, 60.4-122.0 （CMX）, and 30.6-82.4 kg ha-1 （CST）. The results also suggested that intereropping is an effective way to reduce nitrogen leaching in fields with N fertilizer over-dose.

Optimized nitrogen application methods to improve nitrogen use efficiency and nodule nitrogen fixation in a maize-soybean relay intercropping system

In China, the abuse of chemical nitrogen （N） fertilizer results in decreasing N use efficiency （NUE）, wasting resources and causing serious environmental problems. Cereal-legume intercropping is widely used to enhance crop yield and improve resource use efficiency, especially in Southwest China. To optimize N utilization and increase grain yield, we conducted a two-year field experiment with single-factor randomized block designs of a maize-soybean intercropping system （IMS）. Three N rates, NN （no nitrogen application）, LN （lower N application： 270 kg N ha-1）, and CN （conventional N application： 330 kg N ha-1）, and three topdressing distances of LN （LND）, e.g., 15 cm （LND1）, 30 cm （LND2） and 45 cm （LND3） from maize rows were evaluated. At the beginning seed stage （R5）, the leghemoglobin content and nitrogenase activity of LND3 were 1.86 mg plant-1 and 0.14 mL h-1 plant-1, and those of LND1 and LND2 were increased by 31.4 and 24.5%, 6.4 and 32.9% compared with LND3, respectively. The ureide content and N accumulation of soybean organs in LND1 and LND2 were higher than those of LND3. The N uptake, NUE and N agronomy efficiency （NAE） of IMS under CN were 308.3 kg ha-1, 28.5%, and 5.7 kg grain kg-1 N, respectively; however, those of LN were significantly increased by 12.4, 72.5, and 51.6% compared with CN, respectively. The total yield in LND1 and LND2 was increased by 12.3 and 8.3% compared with CN, respectively. Those results suggested that LN with distances of 15-30 cm from the topdressing strip to the maize row was optimal in maize-soybean intercropping. Lower N input with an optimized fertilization location for IMS increased N fixation and N use efficiency without decreasing grain yield.

Soil Nitrous Oxide Emissions Under Maize-Legume Intercropping System in the North China Plain

Many studies have focused on various agricultural management measures to reduce agricultural nitrous oxide （N2O） emission. However, few studies have investigated soil N2O emissions in intercropping systems in the North China Plain. Thus, we conducted a ifeld experiment to compare N2O emissions under monoculture and maize-legume intercropping systems. In 2010, ifve treatments, including monocultured maize （M）, maize-peanut （MP）, maize-alfalfa （MA）, maize-soybean （MS）, and maize-sweet clover （MSC） intercropping were designed to investigate this issue using the static chamber technique. In 2011, M, MP, and MS remained, and monocultured peanuts （P） and soybean （S） were added to the trial. The results showed that total production of N2O from different treatments ranged from （0.87＆#177;0.12） to （1.17＆#177;0.11） kg ha-1 in 2010, while those ranged from （3.35＆#177;0.30） to （9.10＆#177;2.09） kg ha-1 in 2011. MA and MSC had no signiifcant effect on soil N2O production compared to that of M （P＆lt;0.05）. Cumulative N2O emissions from MP in 2010 were signiifcantly lower than those from M, but the result was the opposite in 2011 （P＆lt;0.05）. MS signiifcantly reduced soil N2O emissions by 25.55 and 48.84%in 2010 and 2011, respectively （P＆lt;0.05）. Soil N2O emissions were signiifcantly correlated with soil water content, soil temperature, nitriifcation potential, soil NH4＋, and soil NO3-content （R2=0.160-0.764, P＆lt;0.01）. A stepwise linear regression analysis indicated that soil N2O release was mainly controlled by the interaction between soil moisture and soil NO3-content （R2=0.828, P＆lt;0.001）. These results indicate that MS had a coincident effect on soil N2O lfux and signiifcantly reduced soil N2O production compared to that of M over two growing seasons.

Timing and splitting of nitrogen fertilizer supply to increase crop yield and efficiency of nitrogen utilization in a wheat–peanut relay intercropping system in China

Agronomically optimizing the timing and rates of nitrogen(N) fertilizer application can increase crop yield and decrease N loss to the environment. Wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)–peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.) relay intercropping systems are a mainstay of economic and food security in China. We performed a field experiment to investigate the effects of N fertilizer on N recovery efficiency, crop yield, and N loss rate in wheat–peanut relay intercropping systems in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, China during 2015–2017. The N was applied on the day before sowing, the jointing stage(G30) or the booting stage(G40) of winter wheat, and the anthesis stage(R1) of peanut in the following percentage splits: 50-50-0-0(N1), 35-35-0-30(N2), and 35-0-35-30(N3), using 300 kg N ha-1, with 0 kg N ha-1(N0) as control. ^(15)N-labeled(20.14 atom %) urea was used to trace the fate of N in microplots. The yields of wheat and peanut increased by 12.4% and 15.4% under the N2 and N3 treatments, relative to those under the N1 treatment. The ^(15)N recovery efficiencies( ^(15)NRE) were 64.9% and 58.1% for treatments N2 and N3, significantly greater than that for the N1 treatment(45.3%). The potential N loss rates for the treatments N2 and N3 were23.7% and 7.0%, significantly lower than that for treatment N1(30.1%). Withholding N supply until the booting stage(N3) did not reduce the wheat grain yield; however, it increased the N content derived from ^(15)N-labeled urea in peanuts, promoted the distribution of ^(15)N to pods, and ultimately increased pod yields in comparison with those obtained by topdressing N at jointing stage(N2). In comparison with N2, the N uptake and N recovery efficiency(NRE) of N3 was increased by 12.0% and 24.1%,respectively, while the apparent N loss decreased by 16.7%. In conclusion, applying N fertilizer with three splits and delaying topdressing fertilization until G40 of winter wheat increased total grain yields and NRE and reduced N loss. This practice could be an environment-friendly N management strategy for wheat–peanut relay intercropping systems in China.

Effect of Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Utilization in Upland Rice-Mungbean Intercropping System

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi （AMF） on plant growth and nutrition utilization in upland rice and mungbean intercropping system was studied. A pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse and AMF colonization rates of rice and mungbean roots, plant nutrient contents, the ability of nitrogen fixation, and nutrient contents changed in the soil were analyzed. The results were obtained as follows： the rates of AMF colonization of rice and mungbean roots were reached to 14.47 and 92.2% in intercopping system, and increased by 4.11 and 11.95% compared with that of in monocropping; the nirtrogen contents of mungbean and rice were increased by 83.72 and 64.83% in shoots, and 53.76 and 41.29% in roots, respectively, while the contents of iron in shoot and root of mungbean were increased by 223.08 and 60.19%, respectively. In the intercropping system with inoculation of AMF, the biomass of mungbean increased by 288.8%. However, the biomass of rice was not significantly changed among all treatments with or without inoculation of AMF recorded. The number and dry weight of nodules were significantly increased either when mungbean was intercropped with rice or inoculated with AMF. When compared with that of monocropping without AMF inoculation, the contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and iron in nodules of intercropping mungbean with inoculation increased by 80.14, 69.54 and 39.62%, respectively. Additionally, intercropping with AMF inoculation significantly increased soil nitrogen content, but reduced soil phosphorus content. We concluded that upland rice-mungbean intercropping system and inoculation with AMF improved the nutrient uptake, the ability of nitrogen fixation and the growth of mungbean.

Plant Phosphorus Uptake in a Soybean-Citrus Intercropping System in the Red Soil Hilly Region of South China

A field microplot experiment was conducted in the red soil hilly region of South China to evaluate plant phosphorus (P)uptake under soybean and citrus monoculture and the soybean-citrus intercropping system using the 32P tracer technique.P fertilizer was applied at three depths(15,35,and 55 cm).The experimental results showed that the planting pattern and 32P application depth significantly affected the characteristics of P uptake by soybean and citrus.Under the soybean-citrus intercropping system,considerable competition was observed when the 32P fertilizer was applied to the topsoil(15 cm);therefore,the 32P recovery rate declined by 41.5%and 14.7%for soybean and citrus,and 32P supplying amount of topsoil to soybean and citrus decreased by 346.8 and 148.1 mg plot-1,respectively,compared to those under the monoculture.However,32P recovery of soybean was promoted when 32P fertilizer was applied to the deeper soil layers (35 and 55 cm)under soybean-citrus intercropping.Under the soybean monoculture,32P fertilizer could hardly be used by soybean when 32P fertilizer was applied at the 55 cm depth or below,with the recovery rate being less than 0.1%;it was up to 0.253%by soybean under intercropping.The higher P recovery of soybean under soybean-citrus intercropping when P was applied in the deeper soil layers was because part of the P nutrient that the citrus absorbed from the deeper soil layers could be released into the topsoil and then it could be used by the soybean.