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In Arid Regions, Forage Mulching between Fruit Trees Rows Enhances Fruit Tree Light and Lowers Soil Salinity

Author

Listed:
  • Shuai Zhang

    (College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China)

  • Tingting Liu

    (College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China)

  • Wenwen Wei

    (College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China)

  • Lei Shen

    (College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China)

  • Xiuyuan Wang

    (College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
    College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Tayir Tuertia

    (College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China)

  • Luhua Li

    (College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China)

  • Wei Zhang

    (College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China)

Abstract

Agroforestry is considered a means to provide sustainable and productive agriculture. This work aims to study the effect of fruit-grass agroforestry patterns on the soil moisture, salinity, growth, and yield of fruit trees, as well as to provide a reference for the development of agroforestry complex systems in Northwest China. The study has been designed with two cropping patterns: monocropped apple and apple-ryegrass intercropping. The results showed that compared to monocropped apples, intercropped apples have increased soil moisture content by 33.38–39.02%, net photosynthetic rate by 35.33–42.26%, transpiration rate by 29.62–29.76%, and stomatal conductance by 15.65–16.55% in the 0–60 cm soil layer. Intercrop reduced the total soil salt content by 36.41–38.58%, and the intercellular CO 2 concentration decreased by 5.96–6.61%. In addition, intercropping improves fruit yield and quality by improving the orchard environment and increasing tree height, breast height, north-south crown spread, and east-west crown spread. Therefore, increased yield and quality can be achieved by changing the fruit tree and ryegrass planting method, which is beneficial to the sustainable development of agriculture in Northwest China.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuai Zhang & Tingting Liu & Wenwen Wei & Lei Shen & Xiuyuan Wang & Tayir Tuertia & Luhua Li & Wei Zhang, 2022. "In Arid Regions, Forage Mulching between Fruit Trees Rows Enhances Fruit Tree Light and Lowers Soil Salinity," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:11:p:1895-:d:969289
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ragan M. Callaway & R. W. Brooker & Philippe Choler & Zaal Kikvidze & Christopher J. Lortie & Richard Michalet & Leonardo Paolini & Francisco I. Pugnaire & Beth Newingham & Erik T. Aschehoug & Cristin, 2002. "Positive interactions among alpine plants increase with stress," Nature, Nature, vol. 417(6891), pages 844-848, June.
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