Impact of Intercropping on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Nutrient Loss in Camellia oleifera Forests on Entisol Soil

Abstract

Soil and water loss represent a significant environmental challenge in purple soil cropland in China. However, the quantity and mechanism of nutrient loss from purple soil remain unclear. To understand water and soil conservation and address nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) mitigation in Camellia oleifera forest stands on purple soil slope farmland, this study aimed to explore the resistance control effect of forest stands on N and P loss in such agricultural landscapes. In the study, a runoff plot experiment was conducted in purple soil slope farmland. The experiment included three distinct treatments: intercropping of oil tea (Camellia oleifera) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Camellia oleifera monoculture, and barren land served as the control treatment (CK). Water samples were collected and analyzed from the soil surface runoff and the middle soil layer at a depth of 20 cm (interflow) in three treatment plots under natural rainfall conditions in 2023. Various nutrient components, including total nitrogen (TN), dissolved nitrogen (DN), nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), particulate nitrogen (PN), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved phosphorus (DP), phosphate (PO4+-P), and particulate phosphorus (PP), were measured in the water samples. The results indicated that intercropping effectively mitigated the loss of various forms of N and P in both surface runoff and interflow within purple soil slope farmland. Compared to the CK, the ryegrass intercropping reduced TN and TP loss by 29.3%–37.3% and 25.7%–38.9%, respectively. The ryegrass intercropping led to a decrease in the average total loss of TN, DN, NO3—N, and NH4+-N by 63.0, 24.3, 4.5, and 6.8 g/ha, corresponding to reductions of 33.3%, 47.6%, 58.3%, and 49.1%, respectively, compared to the CK. The average total loss of TP, DP, and PP decreased by 4.4, 1.8, and 1.4 g/hm2 in the intercropping, reflecting reductions of 32.3%, 31.3%, and 31.1%, respectively. The most significant proportion was observed in PN and PP within the runoff water solution, accounting for 53.3%–74.8% and 56.9%–61.0% of the TN and TP, respectively. These findings establish a foundation for purple soil and water conservation. The research provides valuable insights for land management and policymakers in developing erosion prevention and control programs for sloping cultivated land with Camellia oleifera forests in purple soils. Additionally, it offers guidance for soil and water conservation and prevention of surface source pollution in purple soil regions.