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Interspecific interaction alters root morphology in young walnut/wheat agroforestry systems in northwest China

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Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to learn more about root morphology and spatial distribution in a specify walnut (Juglans regia L.)/wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) intercropping system. The effects of intercropping on aboveground yield and land equivalent ratio (LER) were also determined. The experiment was conducted at Hetian in the southern part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The results showed that walnut/wheat intercropping reduced the aboveground yield of both component species. However, the LER of the intercropping system averaged 1.62. This meant that intercropping increased land use efficiency. Intercropping significantly reduced the root length density, root surface area density, and root diameter (RD) of both component species compared with sole-cropping. In contrast, intercropping significantly increased the specific root length of walnut. Root competition between species was the greatest in the 0–40 cm soil depth. Root competition caused uneven distribution of RD and specific root length. The plasticity of root morphology and spatial distribution is key for adapting to competition and maximizing water and nutrient uptake in walnut/wheat agroforestry systems.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the NSFC (Project No. 31460335 and 31560376), by the Project Funded by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, and by Scientific Research Funds for High Calibre Researchers of Shehezi University (Project No. RCZX201422). The authors also thank Dr. William J. Gale for his assistance in editing this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang, China

    Z. P. Duan, Y. W. Gan, B. J. Wang, X. D. Hao, W. Zhang & L. H. Li

  2. Institute of Soil and Fertilizer and Agricultural Water Conservation, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Urumqi, 830091, Xinjiang, China

    W. L. Xu

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  1. Z. P. Duan
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  2. Y. W. Gan
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  3. B. J. Wang
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  4. X. D. Hao
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  5. W. L. Xu
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  6. W. Zhang
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  7. L. H. Li
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Correspondence to W. Zhang or L. H. Li.

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Duan, Z.P., Gan, Y.W., Wang, B.J. et al. Interspecific interaction alters root morphology in young walnut/wheat agroforestry systems in northwest China. Agroforest Syst 93, 419–434 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-017-0133-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-017-0133-2

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