Water Competition and Yield of Fruit-crop Intercropping System in the Loess Plateau of West Shanxi

摘要

Agroforestry is the most effective way to restore the disturbed lands on the Loess Plateau and to develop the poor local economy. Targeting four typical fruitcrop intercropping patterns, i.e. walnut-peanut, walnut-soybean, apple-peanut and apple-soybean in the Loess Plateau of west Shanxi as test objects, soil moisture, yield, land use efficiency and economic benefits of fruit-crop intercropping were studied. The results showed that: (l)Soil moisture and yield of individual peanut or soybean plants were significantly decreased, with the effects increased with decreasing distance from tree row. (2)The results of inter-effect of agroforestry system showed that there were competition for soil moisture between tree and crop in fruit-crop intercropping system. The competition was the weakest for crop and walnut, and the strongest for crop and apple. (3)Based on the comprehensive analysis and comparison, the land use efficiency and economic benefits of fruit-crop intercropping were increased by 70% and 14%, and they were more applicable for popularization in the Loess Plateau of west Shanxi. (4)In order to decrease soil moisture competition between tree and crop in fruitcrop intercropping system, the following measures should be taken.l)Enhancing the management of irrigation and fertilization for intercropping system. 2)Increasing the distance of crop from tree row, and 3)Setting root barrier between crop and tree.