Effects of soil physicochemical environment on the plasticity of root growth and land productivity in maize soybean relay strip intercropping system

Abstract

BACKGROUNDSoil is a key foundation of crop root growth. There are interactions between root system and soil in multiple ways. The present study aimed to further explore the response of root distribution and morphology to soil physical and chemical environment under maize (Zea mays L.) soybean (Glycine Max L. Merr.) relay strip intercropping (MS) An experiment was carried out aiming to examine the effects of nitrogen (N) applications and interspecific distances on root system and soil environment in MS. The two N application levels, referred to as no N application (NN) and conventional N application (CN), were paired with different interspecific distances: 30, 45 and 60 cm (MS30, MS45 and MS60) and 100 cm of monoculture maize and soybean (MM/SS100).RESULTSThe results demonstrated that MS45 increased the distribution of soil aggregates (> 2 mm) near the crop roots and maize soil nutrients status, which increased by 20.3% and 15.6%. Meanwhile, MS reduced soil bulk density, increased soil porosity and improved soil oxygen content. Optimization of the soil environment facilitated root growth. The MS45 achieved a better result on root distribution and morphology than the other configuration and also increased land productivity.CONCLUSIONRelay intercropped soybean with maize in interspecific row spacing of 45 cm, improved soil physicochemical environment, reshaped root architecture and optimized root spatial distribution of crops to achieve greater land productivity. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Water Conservation and Nitrogen Reduction on Root Growth and Yield in Spring Maize in Typical Sand Interlayered Soil

“…Roots are not only important organs for plants to absorb water and nutrients, but also play a role in supporting the aboveground parts of plants and are crucial in regulating crop growth, development, and yield [16][17][18]. Research evidence indicates that crop grain yield is closely related to root length, dry weight, surface area, and other factors [19][20][21][22][23]. Therefore, crop yield and resource utilisation efficiency can be improved by regulating root growth and distribution [16,24].…”