Effects of Crop and Grass Intercropping on the Soil Environment in the Karst Area

The karst area in Southwest China is facing the challenges of environmental degradation and agricultural safety. Intercropping is a green and efficient planting mode that can make full use of the differences in crops' physiological and ecological characteristics and land and climate resources while considering the environmental and yield benefits. This study selected five treatments: Salvia miltiorrhiza monoculture, Dactylis glomerata intercropped with S. miltiorrhiza, Cichorium intybus intercropped with S.miltiorrhiza, Trifolium repens intercropped with S.miltiorrhiza, and Lolium perenne intercropped with S.miltiorrhiza. Using one-way ANOVA, principle component analysis (PCA), and linear correlation analysis, we analyzed the changes in the soil physicochemical factors and the coupling relationship between them in the intercropping mode. The results showed that at different soil depths, the soil bulk density in the intercropping mode was significantly lower than that in the single cropping mode (p < 0.05), and the soil water content and total porosity were significantly increased (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in soil pH among the five models (p > 0.05), the content of soil organic matter was significantly higher than that in the single cropping mode (p < 0.05), and the content of nitrogen and phosphorus also showed different changes. The correlation analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between the pH and soil physical properties (p > 0.05); bulk density and chemical properties were negatively correlated, while the soil water content, field water-holding capacity, and total porosity were significantly positively correlated with the chemical properties (p > 0.05). Therefore, it is suggested to strengthen the management of agricultural grass intercropping, improve soil pore structure, regulate the distribution of soil water and fertilizer, and improve the resilience of agricultural systems in the karst area of southwest China.

Automated summary

The study found that the intercropping mode led to changes in soil physical and chemical factors, such as decreased soil bulk density, increased soil water content and total porosity, and higher organic matter content. The correlation analysis also revealed some relationships between soil properties.