Physiological Response of Chinese Cabbage to Intercropping Systems

Abstract

The physiological indices of Chinese cabbage(Brassica chinensis L.) grown under different intercropping systems used for this study included total soluble protein content, soluble sugar content, reducing sugar content, nitrate content, and pigment concentration. The objective of the present study is to discover the physiological level changes in Chinese cabbage in intercropping systems. The intercropping systems studied involved Chinese cabbage‐ garlic (Allium sativum L.) (CG), and Chinese cabbage‐lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) (CL). Chinese cabbage monoculture served as control (CK). Overall, higher mean soluble protein content and nitrate content were found in Chinese cabbage grown in the intercropping systems than those in CK. Significantly higher chlorophyll a content was found in cabbages from CL than CK during the latter half of the growing season. No significant difference in soluble sugar concentrations was found in CG and CL, as compared with CK. Reducing sugar content varied over the growing period of the Chinese cabbage in CG and CL. These results suggest that Chinese cabbage intercropped with noncrucifer plants increase the plant nutrient content.