Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: A 2-yr field experiment was conducted on a calcareous alluvial soil with four summer maize intercropping systems at Shangzhuang Experiment Station (116.3°E, 39.9°N) in the North China Plain. The objective was to determine nitrate leaching from intercropping systems involving maize (Zea mays L.): sole maize (CK), maize + soybean (CST), maize + groundnut (CGT), maize + ryegrass (CHM), and maize + alfalfa (CMX). Intercropping greatly reduced nitrate accumulation in the 100-200 cm soil layers compared with maize monoculture. Nitrate accumulation under intercropping systems decreased significantly at the 140-200 cm soil depth; the accumulation varied in the order CK>CST>CMX>CHM>CGT. However, compared to the CK treatment, nitrate leaching losses during the maize growing period were reduced by 20.9-174.8 (CGT), 35.2-130.8 (CHM), 60.4-122.0 (CMX), and 30.6-82.4 kg ha−1 (CST). The results also suggested that intercropping is an effective way to reduce nitrogen leaching in fields with N fertilizer over-dose.
Authors: Sheng-wei NIE, A Egrinya Eneji, Yuan-quan CHEN, Peng SUI, Jian-xiong HUANG, Shao-min HUANG
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $1,000
OpenAlex ID: W1989945416