Effect of tree-crop intercropping on a young Populus tomentosa plantation |
| |
Authors: | Yuezhong Jiang Guanghua Qin |
| |
Institution: | (1) Shandong Academy of Forestry, Jinan, 250014, China |
| |
Abstract: | In order to study the effect of tree crop intercropping on a young plantation of Populus tomentosa in the plains along the Yellow River, field experiments were conducted by observing the growth of the plantation, the nutrient
content in leaves, the nutrient and water content in the soil, and the output of crops. The relationship between forest growth
and nutrient content in the tree leaves and the soil were analyzed. Results show that tree crop intercropping in young plantations
can not only improve soil water content, but also enhance the contents of organic matter and the available nitrogen, phosphorus
and potassium in soil resulting in the vigorous growth of the individual trees. Diameter at breast height (DBH) was positively
related to the contents of organic matter in the soil, and the contents of N, P and K in the tree leaves had correlation coefficients
of 0.967, 0.955, 0.988 and 0.972, respectively. Whole tree leaf area, crown width, number of branches and the mean length
of branches in the intercropped plantation (intercropped with watermelon and vegetables, peanut and winter wheat, and soybean)
were, respectively, 1.70–3.0 times, 2.22–2.47 times, 1.0–1.41 times and 1.70–2.32 times of those of CK (without intercropping).
Diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height in the intercropped plantation were 50.5%–136.7% and 27%–59.5% higher than
those of the CK, respectively. The study also showed that intercropping with watermelon and vegetables proved to have the
highest economic return among the treatments adopted. Tree crop intercropping in young plantations is an effective measure
to increase forest growth and economic benefit.
__________
Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2006, 28(3): 81–85 译自: 北京林业大学学报] |
| |
Keywords: | Populus tomentosa Carr plantation tree crop intercropping |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|