Abstract
Agroforestry system is regarded as a promising practice in sustainable agricultural management. However, the effects of long-term tree-based intercropping on crop remain poorly understood, especially in the Loess Plateau (China). In this study, the impacts of photosynthetic and respiration rate were determined by the portable photosynthesis system (Li-6400), and the effects of the root growth dynamics of soybean in the walnut-soybean intercropping system were measured by soil auger and WinRHIZO root analysis system, in the Loess Plateau. The results showed that soybean reached the highest net photosynthetic rate during flowering period, with the net photosynthetic rate of intercropped soybean, which was 20.40 μmol·m−2·s−1, significantly higher than that of its monocropped counterpart. Soybean biomass reached the maximum during the pod-bearing period, with intercropped soybean biomass being 25.49 g, significantly higher than that of its monocropped counterpart. The mean diameter and increased density of soybean fine roots reduced along with increased soil depth. Both the diameter (0.43 mm) and increased density (930 cm/dm3) of intercropped soybean fine roots were evidently higher than those of monocropped soybean (0.35 mm, 780 cm/dm3). With increasing cropping years, fine roots of intercropped soybean tended to be mainly distributed in soil at a depth between 0 and 20 cm from the fifth year. Collectively, compared with soybean monoculture, walnut-soybean agroforestry system is more conducive to soybean growth in the Loess Plateau.
Highlights
Plant Materials and Site DescriptionFocusing on the walnut-soybean agroforestry system in the Loess Plateau of China, the competitive relationship between soybean and walnut root system was studied (11 years) in the walnutsoybean agroforestry system; four experimental plots (50 × 50 m) were established in 2007
Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience agroforestry management and considering the canopy density of walnut forest, 1–4 years after walnut planting is a reasonable number of years for agroforestry, and explore the photosynthesis and biomass of soybean by building 4 experimental plots (50 × 50 m) in 2016
According to the study of Zhang et al [14], yields of intercropped soybean decreased by 29% compared with those of monocropped soybean. is may be attributable to the relatively thinner soil layer in Zhang ’s experiment site located in the Taihang Mountain region, which can result in unfixed ecological niche of soybean roots and higher pressure of interroot competition
Summary
Focusing on the walnut-soybean agroforestry system in the Loess Plateau of China, the competitive relationship between soybean and walnut root system was studied (11 years) in the walnutsoybean agroforestry system; four experimental plots (50 × 50 m) were established in 2007. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience agroforestry management and considering the canopy density of walnut forest, 1–4 years after walnut planting is a reasonable number of years for agroforestry, and explore the photosynthesis and biomass of soybean by building 4 experimental plots (50 × 50 m) in 2016. E research area is located in the southern part of the Loess Plateau, belonging to the temperate continental monsoon climate. E crop under tree canopies selected in this research was soybean (Qindou 8). E walnut trees were planted in 2016 (1a) at 3 m × 6 m row spacing. Soybean was planted on June 6, 2017, at 30 cm ∗ 30 cm row spacing. e planting density of monocropped soybean was the same as that of its intercropped counterpart
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