Abstract
Intercrops and crop mixtures are considered to be a way to increase nitrogen use efficiency by promoting niche complementarity and facilitation, reducing the input of fertilizers and herbicides, which are important factors when considering the effects of climate change. However, interactions between crop communities and soil functional diversity also have major effects on crop cover function. Our study aimed to investigate the simultaneous effects of plant composition and presence of earthworms on the growth (roots and shoots) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Mesocosms filled with soil were sown with either 6 wheat plants of the same cultivar, or 6 plants of 3 different wheat cultivars, or 3 wheat plants of 3 different cultivars with 3 clover plants (Trifolium hybridum L.). A part of the mesocosms was inoculated with either endogeic earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa S.) or a mixture of endogeic and anecic earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris S.). A relative interaction index was calculated to highlight competition strength between plants with or without earthworms. The presence of different cultivars had no influence on wheat performance, but with clover, plant competition decreased to the benefit of wheat biomass and N accumulation. Earthworms also reduced the competitive strength between wheat plants in mixed-cultivar mesocosms and in intercropping. In intercrops with clover, wheat performance was improved as a result of niche complementarity and earthworm facilitation for N resource. Our results suggest that the plant functional group, such as legumes, and earthworm communities work synergistically to improve wheat yields.
Highlights
1.1 Intercrops for Sustainable Cropping SystemsThe wide-spread use of chemical fertilizers has led to a dramatic increase in reactive nitrogen (N) levels in the biosphere (Galloway et al, 2003), with negative consequences on water quality, human health, biodiversity and climate change
The presence of different cultivars had no influence on wheat performance, but with clover, plant competition decreased to the benefit of wheat biomass and N accumulation
Complementarity for nutrient use between our different wheat cultivars was not strong enough to have an effect on plant performance
Summary
The wide-spread use of chemical fertilizers has led to a dramatic increase in reactive nitrogen (N) levels in the biosphere (Galloway et al, 2003), with negative consequences on water quality, human health, biodiversity and climate change. Growing legumes is an effective way to integrate atmospheric N into cropping systems and increase soil fertility and reduce mineral N fertilizer input and the use of associated fossil fuels. Intercropping with a legume is often considered an effective way to combine improvements in crop productivity and economic performance with a low environmental impact (Pelzer et al, 2012). In cases of low mineral N availability, intercropped legumes influence the N supply for non-N-fixing companion species by reducing competition between functional groups (Corre-Hellou et al, 2006). Mixtures of different cultivars are often considered to be effective plant cover options to face the new challenges of climate change and jas.ccsenet.org
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
