Effects of Intercropping with Weeds on Growth and Zinc Uptake by Fruit Maize Seedlings

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of intercropping with Echinochloacrusgali, Polygonumorientale, Conyzacanadensis and Senecioscan-dens on growth and zinc uptake of fruit maize seedlings. The results showed that intercropping with E. crusgali_and C. canadensis increased root, stem and sheath, leaf and aboveground part biomasses of fruit maize seedlings, increased above-ground part biomasses of fruit maize seedlings by 58.89% and 8.76%, respectively;but intercropping with P. orientale and S. scandens decreased the biomass of fruit maize seedlings. Compared with monoculture, intercropping with E. crusgali_and C. canadensis also enhanced the chlorophyl and carotenoid contents of fruit maize seedlings, and intercropping with P. orientale_and S. scandens decreased them. On zinc uptake, intercropping with E. crusgali_and C. canadensis_enhanced the zinc contents in roots, stems and sheaths, leaves and aboveground part of fruit maize seedlings, enhanced by 1.24% and 3.89% in aboveground part; intercropping with P. orientale_and S. scandens decreased zinc contents in fruit maize seedlings. There-fore, intercropping with E. crusgali_and C. canadensis could promote the growth and zinc uptake of fruit maize seedlings.