Abstract
Background and aims
Halophytes possess the capacity to uptake high levels of salt through physiological processes and their root architecture. Here, we investigated whether halophyte/non-halophyte intercropping in saline soil decreases the soil salt content and contains root-dialogue.
Methods
Field and pot experiments were conducted to determine the plant biomasses and salt and nutrient distributions in three suaeda (Suaeda salsa) / maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping systems. The three treatments were set up by non-barrier, nylon barrier and plastic barrier between plant roots.
Results
The biomass of the non-barrier-treated maize was significantly lower than that of the nylon barrier-treated maize, whereas the suaeda root biomass showed a limited increase. The soil salt content negatively affected the non-barrier group’s roots compared with those in the nylon and plastic barrier-treated groups, and it was also higher on the maize side of the nylon-barrier treatment. There were higher available nitrogen and phosphorus contents in the soil of the non-barrier- and nylon barrier-treated groups compared with the plastic barrier-treated group. In addition, the pH was lower, and the available potassium content was higher, which suggested that rhizospheric processes occurred between the two species.
Conclusions
The suaeda/maize intercropping would decrease the soil salt content, and they also revealed potential rhizospheric effects though the role of root, which provides an effective way for the improvement of saline-alkali land.
Suaeda salsa/Zea mays L. intercropping in saline soil on plant growth and rhizospheric physiological processes
