Abstract
An experiment was conducted with wheat and sugar beet as monocrop and intercrop under low or adequate phosphorus supply. Dry matter production of shoot and roots were decreased in wheat while increased in sugar beet under intercrop conditions. Photosynthesis rate was diminished under intercrop conditions in wheat while elevated in sugar beet concomitant with reduction of transpiration rate and higher water use efficiency in the latter species. Phosphorus, potassium and iron contents were also lower in intercrop wheat while increased in sugar beet. The same effect of intercropping on biomass and nutrients uptake was observed in the short term hydroponic experiment. Interestingly, three root parameters including length, soluble carbohydrates and activity of secretory acid phosphatase that are characteristics for phosphorus-deficient plants were enhanced in both species by intercropping irrespective the phosphorus supply level. These data suggested an interspecific interaction beyond the different nutrient acquisition capacity in the intercrop pots.
Highlights
IntroductionMonocropping facilitates agricultural practices such as weed removing and harvest
Crop plants are cultivated mainly as monocultures
Leaf concentrations of Chls and Car decreased under IC conditions in wheat under both P supply levels, while these parameters were not affected in sugar beet, except Car in P-deficient plants
Summary
Monocropping facilitates agricultural practices such as weed removing and harvest. This system maintains crop productivity through heavy chemical inputs including fertilizers and pesticides and reduces the plant and microorganism diversity (Brooker et al, 2015). In intercropping systems both negative interaction (competition) and positive interaction (facilitation) can occur simultaneously. Competition prevents crop growth by sharing the limited resources or allelopathy, whereas facilitation promotes crop performance by improving the micro-environment for utilizing resources (Zhang & Li, 2003; Li et al, 2014; Brooker et al, 2015)
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