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Enhancing Water and Soil Resources Utilization via Wolfberry-Alfalfa Intercropping
Jinghai Wang1, Minhua Yin1, Yaya Duan1
1College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 14, 2024
Summary
Intercropping wolfberry with alfalfa significantly reduces soil evaporation and enhances water use efficiency. This system improves soil moisture dynamics and increases plant transpiration, offering water-saving benefits in arid regions.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Soil Science
- Hydrology
Background:
- The soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC) dynamics under intercropping systems, particularly concerning soil evaporation, moisture, and transpiration, require further elucidation.
- Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) intercropping presents a potential strategy for sustainable agriculture in arid regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of wolfberry-alfalfa intercropping on soil evaporation, soil moisture dynamics, and crop transpiration under various irrigation regimes.
- To quantify the water-saving benefits and understand the underlying mechanisms of intercropping in arid environments.
Main Methods:
- Field experiments were conducted over two years comparing sole-cropped wolfberry (D) with wolfberry-alfalfa intercropping (J).
- Simulations were performed using the SIMDualKc model under four irrigation levels: full (W1), mild deficit (W2), moderate deficit (W3), and severe deficit (W4).
- Measurements included soil evaporation, soil moisture content (SWC) at various depths, and plant transpiration.
Main Results:
- Intercropping (JW1) reduced annual average soil evaporation by 32% compared to sole cropping (DW1).
- Deficit irrigation levels (W2-W4) significantly reduced soil evaporation compared to full irrigation (W1).
- Intercropping led to lower soil water content (7-19% less) in the root zone (0-60 cm) and a 29% increase in plant transpiration, indicating enhanced water absorption and use efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The wolfberry-alfalfa intercropping system demonstrates superior water use efficiency through reduced soil evaporation and increased transpiration.
- Intercropping effectively alleviates water stress and optimizes soil moisture dynamics, contributing to water conservation in arid agricultural systems.
- Findings provide valuable insights for sustainable water and soil management practices in arid regions, particularly for wolfberry cultivation.
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