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Diversified Cropping of Grains and Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. Enhances Ecological Benefits of Agroecosystems

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  • Enze Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Yu Sun

    (State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China)

  • Ming Li

    (College of Geographic Sciences, Changchun Normal University, Changchun 130032, China)

  • Libo Ye

    (Key Laboratory of Straw Comprehensive Utilization and Black Soil Conservation, Ministry of Education, School of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130117, China)

  • Xinyi Yu

    (School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China)

  • Zongmu Yao

    (State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Chunjie Tian

    (State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China
    Key Laboratory of Straw Comprehensive Utilization and Black Soil Conservation, Ministry of Education, School of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130117, China)

Abstract

Crop diversification is pivotal in sustainable agriculture, influencing soil microbial communities and soil nutrient cycling functions. Yet, the impacts of incorporating medicinal plants into crop diversification strategies on the functional characteristics of these microbial communities remain understudied. This research elucidates the benefits of diversified cropping systems by assessing soil nutrient content, diversity and composition of soil microorganisms, the abundance of functional genes involved in carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling, and overall agricultural productivity; collectively referred to as ecological benefits. The experimental design included four treatment groups: (1) continuous maize ( Zea mays L.) cultivation (MC); (2) maize– A. lancea ( Atractylodes lancea Thunb.) intercropping (MA); (3) maize–sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L.) rotation (MS); and (4) maize– A. lancea intercropping combined with sorghum rotation (MSA). Findings indicate that diversified cropping treatments significantly enhance the alpha diversity of soil bacterial communities over fungal communities. NH 4 + and NO 3 − predominantly influence the composition of soil bacterial communities, with a notable increase in the relative abundance of Acidobacteriota, Gemmatimonadota, and Chloroflexi. Compared to MC treatment, the MA and MSA treatments significantly increased the abundance of C (121.44%, 294.26%), N (206.57%, 294.26%), and P (112.02%, 225.84%) cycling genes. The inverse variance weighting evaluation demonstrates that, compared to the MC treatment, the MS (5.34) and MSA (8.15) treatments significantly boost soil ecological benefits. Overall, diversifying the cultivation of A. lancea with grains can enhance the ecological benefits of the soil. This study offers new perspectives on diversified planting, particularly in terms of species selection and practical combinations on farmland.

Suggested Citation

  • Enze Wang & Yu Sun & Ming Li & Libo Ye & Xinyi Yu & Zongmu Yao & Chunjie Tian, 2024. "Diversified Cropping of Grains and Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. Enhances Ecological Benefits of Agroecosystems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:12:p:2327-:d:1547375
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Richard D. Bardgett & Wim H. van der Putten, 2014. "Belowground biodiversity and ecosystem functioning," Nature, Nature, vol. 515(7528), pages 505-511, November.
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