Affiliation:
1. College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
2. Ministry of Education/College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
Abstract
The impact of the intercropping system on the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum (SPAC), encompassing soil evaporation, soil moisture dynamics, and crop transpiration, remains an area of uncertainty. Field experiments were conducted for two years in conjunction with the SIMDualKc (Simulation Dual Crop Coefficient) model to simulate two planting configurations: sole-cropped wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) (D) and wolfberry intercropped with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) (J). These configurations were subjected to different irrigation levels: full irrigation (W1, 75–85% θfc), mild deficit irrigation (W2, 65–75% θfc), moderate deficit irrigation (W3, 55–65% θfc), and severe deficit irrigation (W4, 45–55% θfc). The findings revealed that the JW1 treatment reduced the annual average soil evaporation by 32% compared with that of DW1. Additionally, mild, moderate, and severe deficit irrigation reduced soil evaporation by 17, 24, and 36%, respectively, compared with full irrigation. The intercropping system exhibited a more efficient canopy structure, resulting in reduced soil evaporation and alleviation of water stress to a certain extent. In terms of temporal dynamics, monocropping resulted in soil moisture levels from 1% to 15% higher than intercropping, with the most significant differences manifesting in the mid to late stages, whereas differences in the early stages were not statistically significant. Spatially, the intercropping system exhibited 7–19% lower soil water contents (SWCs) than sole cropping, primarily within the root water uptake zone within the 0–60 cm soil layer. The intercropping system showed an enhanced water absorption capacity for plant transpiration, resulting in a 29% increase in transpiration compared with sole cropping, thereby achieving water-saving benefits. These findings contribute to our understanding of the agronomic and environmental implications of intercropping wolfberry and alfalfa in arid regions and provide insights into optimizing water and soil resource management for sustainable agricultural practices.
Funder
Gansu Agricultural University Youth Mentor Support Fund Project
National Natural Science Foundation Project, China
Industry Support Projects in Gansu Province Department of Education
Key science and technology projects of Gansu Province
the Innovation Fund for Universities in Gansu Province
Science and Technology Program of Lanzhou City
Gansu Agricultural University “Northwest arid region Collaborative Utilization of water and soil resources innovation team” discipline team construction project
Gansu Provincial Water Conservancy Science Experimental Research and Technology Promotion Program
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