Distribution characteristics of roots and yield in a poplar‖alfalfa silvopastoral system in northern Xinjiang
View Fulltext  View/Add Comment  Download reader
  
DOI:10.7606/j.issn.1000-7601.2020.06.20
Key Words: poplar‖alfalfa  root distribution characteristics  average root diameter  land equivalent ratio  biomass  competitive advantage
Author NameAffiliation
DAI Yuanshuai College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
LU Weihua College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China 
YANG Tao College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
LIU Tingting College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
SHEN Lei College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
TENG Yuanxu College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
WANG Xiuyuan College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
ZHANG Wenlong College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
LI Luhua College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
ZHANG Wei College of Agronomy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China 
Hits: 698
Download times: 322
Abstract:
      In order to investigate the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of roots in a poplar‖alfalfa, root length density (RLD), average root diamter (ARD), and fine specific root length (FSRL) of 3-year-old alfalfa and 7-year-old alfalfa in sole and systems were determined. The results showed that: (1) There were significant differences in RLD, ARD and FSRL between intercropped poplar and alfalfa at corresponding soil depths in both horizontal and vertical directions.Compared with monocropped alfalfa, the RLD of intercropped alfalfa in 0~60 cm soil decreased by 54%, ARD in 20~60 cm soil decreased by 18.8%, and FSRL in 0~60 cm soil increased by 14.5%. Compared with the monocropped poplar, the RLD in the 0~20 cm soil of intercropped poplar increased by 21.6%, the ARD and FSRL in the 0~60 cm soil decreased by 14.5% and 6.72%, respectively. (2) The harvest managements significantly reduced (P<0.05) the RLD of alfalfa. The RLD of alfalfa was the largest in late April, and the RLD of alfalfa in late June and late August was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The effect of harvest managements on intercropped alfalfa was greater than that of sole\|cropped alfalfa. The performance of the RLD was that of sole\|cropped alfalfa in late April > intercropped alfalfa in late April > sole\|cropped alfalfa in late June > intercropped alfalfa in late June > sole\|cropped alfalfa in late August > intercropped in late August. Poplars were less affected by intercropping. Local alfalfa was harvested 3 times a year, and the FSRL would peak after each harvest of intercropped alfalfa. The peak value of intercropped alfalfa was 12.3%~21.82% higher than that of the corresponding monocrops. In early June and late August, the FSRL of intercropped poplar showed a peak, the peak value of intercropped poplar was 2.8%~16.7% higher than the corresponding monocropped poplar. (3) The yield of alfalfa from intercropping system in the whole growing season decreased by 48.3% compared with that from sole\|cropped alfalfa. By calculating the land equivalent ratio, LER=1.42, it shows that this intercropping mode had more yield advantages than sole cropping. (4) Correlation analysis showed that RLD was significantly positively correlated with alfalfa hay yield, and the key factor to increase the yield of intercropping alfalfa hay was to increase RLD. In summary, intercropping was not beneficial to the RLD and ARD of alfalfa yield and root system, but promoted the increase of FSRL of alfalfa and the distribution and development of poplar root system. Compared with single cropping, intercropping had the potential to improve the efficiency of resource utilization and the ecological and economic benefits of shelter belt in Xinjiang.