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Intercropping efficiency of four arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata populations as intercrops with Morus alba

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Abstract

Soils that are slightly or moderately contaminated with arsenic (As) can be safely utilized by intercropping As hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata with cash crops. Introducing hyperaccumulators into crop planting systems results in the alleviation of the adverse effects of As and competition effect for resources. The balance between these two effects determines intercropping efficiency. The effect of using different hyperaccumulator populations on such balance is the focus of this study. Through a tank experiment, four P. vittata populations were compared on the basis of their intercropping efficiencies and physiological and morphological characteristics. The evaluation of the intercropping efficiency of P. vittata was mainly based on the capabilities of the species to promote growth and decrease As concentrations in intercropped Morus alba. Two populations of P. vittata were appropriate for intercropping with M. alba, with the alleviation effect of As harm as the main effect on the intercropping system. These populations showed extensive root overlap with M. alba and efficient uptake of bioavailable As, thus depleting As in the rhizosphere and lowering As risk. After different P. vittata populations were used, varied interspecific interactions were observed. Root overlap and aboveground morphological parameters are the key factors determining intercropping efficiency among P. vittata populations.

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Funding

Financial support was provided by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFD0800900), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41301547), and grants from the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Xiaoming Wan & Mei Lei

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  1. Xiaoming Wan
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  2. Mei Lei
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Correspondence to Mei Lei.

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Responsible editor: Elena Maestri

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Wan, X., Lei, M. Intercropping efficiency of four arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata populations as intercrops with Morus alba. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 12600–12611 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1366-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1366-y

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