Scholarlink

Aims <p>Intercropping with optimized nitrogen (N) application is crucial for sustainable silage maize production. This three-year field study (2022–2024) investigated whether silage maize‑legume intercropping can compensate 30% N reduction by enhancing soil quality and microbial attributes.</p> Methods <p>A split‑plot design compared silage maize monoculture (M), maize‑fodder bean intercropping (MH), and maize‑lablab bean intercropping (ML) under N rates of 360 (conventional), 306 (15% reduction), and 252 (30% reduction) kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>.</p> Results <p>Under N reduction, monoculture showed degraded soil quality and reduced yield, whereas intercropping, especially ML, maintained or improved soil properties. ML with 30% N reduction (MLN1) increased soil quality index by 55.1% compared to ML at full N rate. Cumulative N<sub>2</sub>O emissions and NH<sub>3</sub> volatilization decreased by 13.9% and 31.7%, while forage yield and crude protein increased by 18.8% and 8.0% compared to MLN3, respectively. MLN1 also achieved 22.4% higher soil NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>‑N, 28.4% higher NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>‑N, and 12.1% higher microbial biomass N than conventional monoculture. Lablab bean consistently outperformed fodder bean. Intercropping with reduced N directly enhanced soil microbial attributes, which mediated 68% of the total effect on forage yield via improved nutrient availability. Random forest analysis identified microbial biomass N and urease activity as key predictors of N<sub>2</sub>O and NH<sub>3</sub> emissions.</p> Conclusions <p>Silage maize‑lablab bean intercropping supports 30% N fertilizer reduction while improving productivity, soil health, and environmental outcomes in arid irrigated areas.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Legume intercropping compensates for 30% nitrogen reduction during silage maize production: a three-year field study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月20日

查看全文
  • Falong Hu,
  • Dicheng Wang,
  • Qiang Ren,
  • Huizhe Sang,
  • Zhilong Fan,
  • Wen Yin,
  • Yali Sun,
  • Feng Wang,
  • Qiang Chai

摘要

Aims

Intercropping with optimized nitrogen (N) application is crucial for sustainable silage maize production. This three-year field study (2022–2024) investigated whether silage maize‑legume intercropping can compensate 30% N reduction by enhancing soil quality and microbial attributes.

Methods

A split‑plot design compared silage maize monoculture (M), maize‑fodder bean intercropping (MH), and maize‑lablab bean intercropping (ML) under N rates of 360 (conventional), 306 (15% reduction), and 252 (30% reduction) kg N ha−1.

Results

Under N reduction, monoculture showed degraded soil quality and reduced yield, whereas intercropping, especially ML, maintained or improved soil properties. ML with 30% N reduction (MLN1) increased soil quality index by 55.1% compared to ML at full N rate. Cumulative N2O emissions and NH3 volatilization decreased by 13.9% and 31.7%, while forage yield and crude protein increased by 18.8% and 8.0% compared to MLN3, respectively. MLN1 also achieved 22.4% higher soil NO3−‑N, 28.4% higher NH4+‑N, and 12.1% higher microbial biomass N than conventional monoculture. Lablab bean consistently outperformed fodder bean. Intercropping with reduced N directly enhanced soil microbial attributes, which mediated 68% of the total effect on forage yield via improved nutrient availability. Random forest analysis identified microbial biomass N and urease activity as key predictors of N2O and NH3 emissions.

Conclusions

Silage maize‑lablab bean intercropping supports 30% N fertilizer reduction while improving productivity, soil health, and environmental outcomes in arid irrigated areas.