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Background and aims <p><i>Camellia oleifera</i> is an ecologically and economically valuable oil-producing tree widely cultivated in China. However, many <i>C. oleifera</i> plantations, particularly in the red soil regions of the Yangtze River Basin and southern China, show low productivity due to soil quality limitations. We hypothesized that intercropping would reduce soil erosion, improve soil conditions, and increase <i>C. oleifera</i> productivity.</p> Methods <p>To test this hypothesis, we intercropped <i>C. oleifera</i> with three herb species, <i>Parthenocissus tricuspidata</i>, <i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i>, and <i>Mentha haplocalyx</i>, in the subtropical Province of Hunan, China. We quantified runoff, soil loss, and TN/TP loss across five rainfall events during the rainy season (June–August 2020) using a three-tank collection system. We also assessed key properties of the 0–30 cm soil layer (pH, bulk density, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), urease, polyphenol oxidase, microbial α-diversity) and plant performance (total fruit yield, average fruit weight, oil percentage, and oil yield).</p> Results <p>Intercropping markedly reduced hydrological and nutrient export, lowering plot-scale runoff by 34–51% and soil loss by 72–84%, with TN and TP export decreasing by 34–57% and 48–60%, respectively. Intercropping increased soil organic carbon by 7–54%, soil phosphorus by 2–56%, and urease activity by 40–86% (all relative to monoculture). Bacterial and fungal composition, especially Acidobacteria and Verrucomicrobia, increased by 31–116% and 15–820%, respectively. While yield responses were species specific, only <i>Parthenocissus tricuspidata</i> produced significantly higher total fruit (134% increase) and oil yields (157&#xa0;kg&#xa0;ha⁻<sup>1</sup>); <i>Coreopsis lanceolata</i> showed intermediate, non-significant gains, and <i>Mentha haplocalyx</i> increased oil percentage without increasing yield.</p> Conclusions <p>These findings demonstrate that intercropping is an effective strategy for mitigating soil erosion and enhancing soil ‘health’ in <i>C. oleifera</i> plantations. However, translating these ecosystem benefits into productivity gains depends on the specific companion species. The <i>Parthenocissus tricuspidata</i> combination proved most effective, highlighting that selecting appropriate shallow rooted, mat-forming groundcovers is key to achieving both conservation and economic goals.</p>

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Intercropping reduces soil erosion, improves soil conditions, and increases productivity of a Camellia oleifera plantation

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月22日

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  • Zeyao Zhao,
  • Lin Chen,
  • Wanwan He,
  • Wenjun Xie,
  • Byron B. Lamont,
  • Longsheng Chen,
  • Li Mei,
  • Zhaogui Yan

摘要

Background and aims

Camellia oleifera is an ecologically and economically valuable oil-producing tree widely cultivated in China. However, many C. oleifera plantations, particularly in the red soil regions of the Yangtze River Basin and southern China, show low productivity due to soil quality limitations. We hypothesized that intercropping would reduce soil erosion, improve soil conditions, and increase C. oleifera productivity.

Methods

To test this hypothesis, we intercropped C. oleifera with three herb species, Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Coreopsis lanceolata, and Mentha haplocalyx, in the subtropical Province of Hunan, China. We quantified runoff, soil loss, and TN/TP loss across five rainfall events during the rainy season (June–August 2020) using a three-tank collection system. We also assessed key properties of the 0–30 cm soil layer (pH, bulk density, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), urease, polyphenol oxidase, microbial α-diversity) and plant performance (total fruit yield, average fruit weight, oil percentage, and oil yield).

Results

Intercropping markedly reduced hydrological and nutrient export, lowering plot-scale runoff by 34–51% and soil loss by 72–84%, with TN and TP export decreasing by 34–57% and 48–60%, respectively. Intercropping increased soil organic carbon by 7–54%, soil phosphorus by 2–56%, and urease activity by 40–86% (all relative to monoculture). Bacterial and fungal composition, especially Acidobacteria and Verrucomicrobia, increased by 31–116% and 15–820%, respectively. While yield responses were species specific, only Parthenocissus tricuspidata produced significantly higher total fruit (134% increase) and oil yields (157 kg ha⁻1); Coreopsis lanceolata showed intermediate, non-significant gains, and Mentha haplocalyx increased oil percentage without increasing yield.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that intercropping is an effective strategy for mitigating soil erosion and enhancing soil ‘health’ in C. oleifera plantations. However, translating these ecosystem benefits into productivity gains depends on the specific companion species. The Parthenocissus tricuspidata combination proved most effective, highlighting that selecting appropriate shallow rooted, mat-forming groundcovers is key to achieving both conservation and economic goals.