Plant Species Interactions in the Rhizosphere Increase Maize N and P Acquisition and Maize Yields in Intercropping

Title data

Schwerdtner, Ulrike ; Spohn, Marie:
Plant Species Interactions in the Rhizosphere Increase Maize N and P Acquisition and Maize Yields in Intercropping.
In: Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. Vol. 22 (2022) Issue 3 . - pp. 3868-3884.
ISSN 0718-9516
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-022-00936-3

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

The aim of the study was to examine interspecific plant interactions that contribute to plant nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) acquisition and are likely the reason for overyielding in intercropping. We conducted a field and a rhizobox experiment with the same soil. Maize (Zea mays L.) was grown alone or intercropped with the companions faba bean (Vicia faba L.), soy (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), or white mustard (Sinapis alba L.). We determined the isotopic N signature (δ15N) of maize as well as soil parameters (pH, phosphatase activity, nitrate) in the field experiment. We analyzed phosphatase activities and rhizosphere pH by soil zymography and pH imaging in the rhizobox experiment. Maize N and P contents were larger in intercropping than monocropping, especially with soy and lupin in the field, indicating intercropping advantages for maize N and P acquisition. Intercropping with legumes decreased maize δ15N in the field, suggesting that 11–20% of maize aboveground biomass N was transferred from legumes to maize. Soil zymography revealed high phosphatase activities in the rhizosphere of lupin and faba bean. pH imaging showed a rhizosphere alkalinization by mustard, and a rhizosphere acidification by faba bean. These changes in the companions’ rhizosphere likely mobilized P and were also beneficial for maize in intercropping. Taken together, our study provides evidence that the companions’ ability to mobilize N and P in the rhizosphere promotes increases in maize nutrient contents and causes maize overyielding in intercropping and thus can contribute to fertilizer savings.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Keywords:	Plant nitrogen acquisition; Plant phosphorus acquisition; Rhizosphere; Nitrogen transfer; Phosphatase activity; pH changes
Institutions of the University:	Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Earth Sciences > Junior Professor Agroecology Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Earth Sciences > Junior Professor Agroecology > Junior Professor Agroecology - Juniorprof. Dr. Johanna Pausch Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Earth Sciences
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	500 Science > 500 Natural sciences 500 Science > 570 Life sciences, biology
Date Deposited:	17 Oct 2022 06:27
Last Modified:	28 Apr 2023 08:35
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/72436