Synergistic effects of vegetation layers of maize and potato intercropping on soil erosion on sloping land in Yunnan Province, China

Abstract

Intercropping, as an overyielding system, can decrease soil erosion on sloping land through the presence of dense canopy covers. However, the structure mechanism in canopy is still unclear. We conducted a two-year field experiment on runoff plots, exploring whether the interaction between vegetation layers reduce soil erosion in maize and potato intercropping systems. The maize, potato, and weed layers in the intercropping system were removed by a single layer, two layers and three layers, respectively (total of 8 treatments including all layers removed as the control). Then, throughfall, runoff and sediment were measured at the plot and row scale on a weekly basis. Based on the difference between each treatment and the control, we calculated and found a relative reduction of runoff and sediment by any combination of the two vegetation layers greater than the sum of each single layer. In 2016 and 2017, the highest relative reduction of runoff reached 15.65 and 46.73%, respectively. Sediment loss decreased by 33.96 and 42.77%, respectively. Moreover, runoff and sediment reduced by the combination of all vegetation layers (no layers removed) was also larger than the sum of that by each single layer. In 2016 and 2017, the highest relative reduction of runoff reached 7.32 and 3.48%, respectively. So, there were synergistic effects among multi-level (two or three layers) vegetation layers in terms of decreasing soil erosion on sloping land. Maize redistributes more throughfall at the maize intra-specific row and the maize and potato inter-specific, which is favourable for the synergistic effect of reducing soil erosion. This finding shows an important mechanism of maize and potato intercropping for soil and water conservation, and may promote the application of diverse cropping systems for sustainable agriculture in mountainous areas.

Impacts of Weather Types on Soil Erosion Rates in Vineyards at “Celler Del Roure” Experimental Research in Eastern Spain

“…In the eastern Iberian Peninsula, the damage comes from the eastern winds and we propose to leave as much plant cover in the field during autumn, which is the period with the strongest east wind and high rainfall volumes and intensities. The plant cover would reduce soil losses such as those that were found in rainfall simulation experiments [74], soil erosion plots [75] and watersheds and basins [76]. Other options to minimize damage during high-intensity rainfall events is to use traditional strategies such as soil bunds [77].…”

The regional difference in engineering-control and tillage factors of Chinese Soil Loss Equation

“…TCN is a unique farming method in the Southwest China purple soil region. It is a comprehensive farming method by gathering soil to build ridges and fertilizing in furrows (Liu et al 2013b;Liu and Huang 2013;Yang et al 2018;Niu et al 2019;Wang et al 2020a;Wang et al 2020c;Zhang et al 2020).…”

Performance of Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) and Land Equivalent Ratio under Maize-Groundnut (<i>Arachis hypogea</i> L.) Intercropping System

“…Intercrops ensure that growth resources like sunshine, accessible water, and nutrients are used effectively [14] [15]. Gamboa et al [16] and Zhang et al [17] found that intercropping ensures complete ground cover, improves soil aggregation and stability and soil chemical properties and reduces soil erosion. Studies by Zou et al [18] showed that rotational maize-groundnut strip intercropping could improve soil properties such as organic matter and reduce emission of carbon.…”