Influences of intercropping and nitrogen supply on flavonoid exudation in wheat roots

Abstract

Soil and hydroponic experiments were carried out to examine the influences of intercropping and nitrogen supply on flavonoid exudation in wheat roots. Both experiments comprising three cropping patterns (wheat intercropped with faba bean, monocropped wheat, and monocropped faba bean) and three N supply levels (deficient, adequate, and excessive) with three replicates in a randomized complete block design. Across two experiments, intercropping increased but N fertilization decreased flavonoids of wheat roots frequently. Intercropping variably increased secretion of naringenin from 0.5 to 1.9 folds (P < 0.5) in wheat roots at all three N levels, but rarely increased secretion of genistein and hesperetin in wheat at the deficient N level. Intercropped wheat secreted more flavonoids than monocropped wheat at its tillering (60th d) and flowering (95th d) stages; after the flowering stage, however, the differences between intercropping and monocropping were not significant at any N level. Secretion of flavonoids in wheat roots decreased with increased N supply. Interspecies and N supply altered the contents and proportions of flavonoids in wheat root exudations under wheat and faba bean intercropping. These results indicate facilitative root–root interactions and provide insight into cereal promote nodule of legume in intercropping system.