[Intercropping history, pattern, and case analysis of Chinese medicinal material]

Intercropping is a traditional and widely used planting pattern, and different intercropped plants have differences in spatial distribution and morphological structure compared with monoculture. Therefore, intercropping can realize efficient acquisition of limited space resources and efficient conversion of existing resources by utilizing the principle of niche complementarity of composite groups, weakening interspecific or intra-specific competition, and enhancing their complementary growth. Intercropping of Chinese medicinal material(CMM) has experienced the evolution of more than two thousand years from its founding to inheritance and development. Nowadays, the intercropping pattern formed by CMM and grain, forest, fruit, and herbs has become an integral branch of ecological planting of CMM, which has improved the utilization efficiency of nutrient resources and system productivity, reduced the occurrence of diseases and pests, and enhanced the yield and quality of medicinal materials. This article summarized the intercropping history of CMM in China, current main intercropping patterns, common regional cases, and the principle of spatial niche complementarity of intercropping, so as to provide a reference for intercropping practice and research of CMM.