Root distribution characteristics and productivity in a poplar/alfalfa silvopastoral system
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DOI:10.7606/j.issn.1000-7601.2020.02.17
Key Words: silvopastoral system  poplar  alfalfa  root distribution characteristics  yield  Xinjang
Author NameAffiliation
YANG Tao College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Key Laboratory of Oasis Agro\|Ecology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
LU Weihua College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjing 832003, China 
LI Bin College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Key Laboratory of Oasis Agro\|Ecology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
DUAN Zhiping College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Key Laboratory of Oasis Agro\|Ecology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
SHEN Lei College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Key Laboratory of Oasis Agro\|Ecology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
TENG Yuanxu College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Key Laboratory of Oasis Agro\|Ecology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
LIU Tingting College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Key Laboratory of Oasis Agro\|Ecology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
TIAN Yuquan College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Key Laboratory of Oasis Agro\|Ecology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
ZHANG Wei College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Key Laboratory of Oasis Agro\|Ecology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
LI Luhua College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Key Laboratory of Oasis Agro\|Ecology of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
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Abstract:
      In order to investigate the root distribution and relationship of a poplar (Populus L.)/alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silvopastoral system, the spatial distributions of root length density (RLD), average root diameter (ARD), and specific root length (SRL) of 3-year-old alfalfa and 7-year-old poplar in the 0~60 cm soil depth in sole and intercropping systems, were determined and analyzed by WinRHIZOTM software. The result showed that intercropping reduced 10.01%~54.29% RLD of alfalfa, and reduced 11.15%~37.30% of ARD of alfalfa in the 20~60 cm soil layer. The specific root length (SRL) of intercropped alfalfa was 10.52%~28.78% higher than that of sole alfalfa. Oppositely, intercropping increased 20.36%~28.08% of ARD of poplar in the 0~40 cm soil layer, and increased 15.51%~34.23% of the RLD of poplar in the alfalfa grown areas in the 0~20 cm soil layer. The poplar SRL was less affected, and the difference between sole\|cropped and intercropped SRL was determined only in the 0~20 cm soil depth on August 5, the sole\|cropped poplar SRL was 14.46% higher than intercropping. The highest yield of sole\|cropped or intercropped alfalfa was both at the first harvest stage, and intercropping reduced the yield of alfalfa. In the first, second, and third harvests, the yield decreased by 24.7%, 30.9%, and 43.7%, respectively. The total yield of alfalfa in the poplar/alfalfa silvopastoral system was reduced by 31.2%, compared with the sole cropping. According to the land equivalent ratio, the combination of poplar and alfalfa added additional income from alfalfa, and it increased the productivity rate by 41%. In summary, the root distribution and growth of alfalfa in forest and grass complex system were adversely affected, and the root system of poplar was beneficially affected. Compared with the sole cropping, the silvopastoral system had higher productivity and resource utilization efficiency, and had the potential to improve the ecological and economic return of the shelter belt in Xinjiang.