Journal
PLANT AND SOIL
Volume 323, Issue 1-2, Pages 295-308Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s11104-009-9938-8
Keywords
Interspecific facilitation; N-2 fixation; N-15 natural abundance; Nodulation; Inhibitory effect of N fertilization
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Funding
- National Science Foundation of China [30670381]
- Major State Basic Resource Development (973) Program [2006CB100206]
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Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is commonly inhibited by N fertilization in intensive farming systems. We hypothesized that intercropping alleviates the inhibitory effect of N fertilization on nodulation and N-2 fixation of legumes. Two years of field experiments (2006-2007) with different N-fertilizer rates (0, 75, 150, 225, 300 kg N ha(-1)) were carried out to test the hypothesis in a faba bean (Vicia faba L.)/maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping system in the north-western part of China. The results show that both the nodule biomass and nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa) in intercropped faba bean were increased by 7-58% and 8-33% at the start of flowering, 8-72% and 54-61% at peak flowering, 4-73% and 18-50% at grain filling, and 7-62% and -7-72% at maturity, respectively, compared with sole faba bean. Intercropping with maize significantly alleviated the inhibitory effect of N fertilization on nodulation and N-2 fixation, and improved the productivity of intercropping.
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