Intercropping enhances microbial community diversity and ecosystem functioning in maize fields.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Intercropping, a widely used planting pattern, could affect soil physicochemical properties, microbial community diversity, and further crop yields. However, its impacts on soil microbial diversity and ecosystem functioning and further soil sustainability are poorly understood.

Methods

We conducted field experiments by intercropping maize with four important crops (i.e., sesame, peanut, soybean, and sweet potato), and examined soil microbial community diversity and ecosystem functioning such as microbial biomass and enzyme activities under monocropping and intercropping. We quantified their intercropping effects on microbial diversity and ecosystem functions with effect size metric Cohen d by comparing to the monocropping of maize.

Results

We found

SUBMITTER: Xiao X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9846038 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature