Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Interspecific interactions alter root length density, root diameter and specific root length in jujube/wheat agroforestry systems

  • Published:
Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A field study was conducted at Hetian, southern Xinjiang, northwest China, to investigate root morphology as affected by interspecific interactions between jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The treatments comprised (1) sole wheat, (2) 3-, 5- and 7-year-old sole jujube trees, and (3) intercropping of wheat/3-, 5- and 7-year-old jujube trees. Roots were sampled by auger in each plot down to 100 cm depth at 20 cm intervals in the soil profile and horizontally up to 150 cm away from the base of the trees at 30 cm intervals. All jujube/wheat intercropping systems had advantages of intercropping with a land equivalent ratio (LER) >1. There were significant differences in the contours of both root length density (RLD) and root diameter (RD) in intercropped wheat and jujube in the vertical and horizontal direction at corresponding soil depths but the RLD and RD of the 7-year-old jujube/wheat intercropping system were less influenced by intercropping in this respect than 3- and 5-year-old jujube intercropped with wheat. The roots of both intercropped wheat and jujube had smaller RLD, RD and larger specific root lengths (SRLs) at corresponding soil depths than did sole wheat and jujube. The older the jujube the larger were the SRL values of intercropped wheat and the smaller the RLD and RD of intercropped wheat. The greater the distance from the jujube the less influence there was on the RLD, SRL and RD of intercropped wheat and jujube and the greater the distance from the jujube the smaller was the SRL of intercropped wheat and the greater the RLD and RD of intercropped wheat (but still less than the monoculture wheat). The older the jujube the more developed were the jujube roots so that the smaller the SRL of jujube the bigger the RLD and RD of jujube. Jujube tree roots showed a mainly downward trend and extended laterally 150 cm from the trees resulting in the roots of the jujube trees and the wheat having niche overlap at a soil depth of 20–40 cm. The mechanisms underlying the thinner roots of wheat and jujube require further investigation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akhter C, Dar GH, Khuroo AA (2013) Ziziphus jujuba Mill. subsp. spinosa (bunge) peng, li and li: a new plant record for the Indian Subcontinent. Taiwania 58(2):132–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson D, Johnson MG, Mattam D, Mercer ER (1978) The effect of orchard soil management on the uptake of nitrogen by established apple trees. J Sci Food Agric 30:129–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bingham IJ, Bengough AG (2003) Morphological plasticity of wheat and barley roots in response to spatial variations in soil strength. Plant Soil 250:273–282

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Böhm W (1979) Methods of studying root systems. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cao FL, Kimmins JP, Wang JR (2012) Competitive interactions in ginkgo and crop species mixed agroforestry systems in Jiangsu, China. Agrofor Syst 84:401–415

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casper BB, Jakson RB (1997) Plant competition underground. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 28:545–570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chamshama SAO, Mugasha AG, Klovstad A, Haveraaen O, Maliondo SMS (1998) Growth and yield of maize alley cropped with Leucaena leucocephala and Faidherbia albida in Morogoro, Tanzan. Agrofor Syst 40:215–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen GA (2011) Study on roots distributing of apricot in the intercropping systems. Master degree thesis Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi

  • Dhima KV, Lithourgidis AS, Vasilakoglou LB, Dordsas CA (2007) Competition indices of common vetch and cereal intercrops in two seeding ratios. Field Crop Res 100:249–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eissenstat DM, Yanai RD (1997) The ecology of root life span. Adv Ecol Res 27:1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng LJ (2009) Effect of root growth space and interspecific interactions of barley, wheat, and maize on root growth and morphology. Master degree thesis China Agricultural University, Beijing

  • Fitter AH (1991) Characteristics and functions of root systems. In: Waisel Y, Eshel A, Kafkafi U (eds) Plant roots: the hidden half. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp 3–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Francis CA (1986) Multiple cropping systems. Macmillan, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hocking D, Islam K (1997) Trees on farms in Bangladesh: 5. Growth of top- and root-pruned trees in wetland rice fields and yields of understory crops. Agrofor Syst 39:101–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imo M, Timmer VR (2002) Growth and nutritional interactions of nutrient-loaded black spruce seedlings with greenhouse natural vegetation under greenhouse conditions. For Sci 48:77–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Jose S, Gillespie AR, Seifert JR, Mengel DB, Pope PE (2000) Defining competition vectors in a temperate alley cropping system in the mid-western USA. 3. Competition for nitrogen and litter decomposition dynamics. Agrofor Syst 48:61–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jose S, Gillespie AR, Seifert JR, Pope PE (2001) Comparison of minirhizotron and soil core methods for quantifying root biomass in a temperate alley cropping system. Agrofor Syst 52:161–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korwar GR, Radder GD (1994) Influence of root pruning and cutting interval of Leucaena hedgerows on performance of alley cropped rabi sorghum. Agrofor Syst 25:95–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann J, Peter I, Steglich C, Gebauer G, Huwe B, Zech W (1998) Belowground interactions in dryland agroforestry. For Ecol Manage 111:157–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li L, Sun JH, Zhang FS, Guo TW, Bao XG, Smith FA, Smith SE (2006) Root distribution and interactions between intercropped species. Oecologia 147:280–290

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu XY, Zeng DH (2007) Research advances in interspecific interactions in agroforestry system. Chin J Ecol 26(9):1464–1470

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu JQ, Halik W, Wang GS, Kasim Y (2012) Study on temporal and spatial distribution rules of characteristic fruit industry resources in Xinjiang. Agric Res Arid Areas 30:230–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Livesley SJ, Gregory PJ, Buresh RJ (2000) Competition in tree-row agroforestry systems. 1. Distribution and dynamics of fine roots length and biomass. Plant Soil 227:149–161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J (1995) Root architecture and plant productivity. Plant Physiol 109:7–13

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ma XM, Xi L, Xiong SP, Yang J (2006) Dynamic changes of morphological parameters of tobacco root in field. Chin J Appl Ecol 17(3):373–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma CM, Zhai MP, Liu CP (2009) Root distribution characteristics of Juglans regia in monoculture and intercropping. J Beijing For Univ 31(6):181–186

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maghembe JA, Kaoneka ARS, Lulandala LLL (1986) Intercropping, weeding and spacing effects on growth and nutrient content in Leucaena leucocephala at Morogoro, Tanzania. For Ecol Manag 16:269–279

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mead R, Willey RW (1980) The concept of a land equivalent ratio and advantages in yields from intercropping. Exp Agric 16:217–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ong CK, Corlett JE, Singh RP, Black CR (1991) Above and belowground interactions in agroforestry systems. For Ecol Manage 45:45–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ong CK, Kho RM, Radersma S (2004) Ecological interactions in multispecies agroecosystems: concepts and rules. In: Van Noordwijk M, Cadisch G, Ong CK (eds) Below-ground interactions in tropical agroecosystems: concepts and models with multiple plant components. CAB International, Wallingford, pp 1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Qing HG, Chun SW, Min W (2013) The jujube (Ziziphus Jujuba Mill.) fruit: a review of current knowledge of fruit composition and health benefits. J Agric Food Chem 61(14):3351–3363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao MR, Sharma MM, Ong CK (1990) A study of the potential of hedge row intercropping in semi-arid India using a two-way systematic design. Agrofor Syst 11:243–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao MR, Sharma MM, Ong CK (1991) A tree-crop interface design and its use for evaluating the potential of hedgerow intercropping. Agrofor Syst 13:143–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reyes T, Quiroz R, Luukkanen O (2009) Spice crop agroforestry systems in the east Usambara Mountain, Tanzania: growth analysis. Agrofor Syst 76:513–523

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosolem CA, Joao PT, Vanzolini S, Ramos VJ (1999) The significance of root growth on cotton nutrition in an acidic low-P soil. Plant Soil 212:185–190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez PA (1995) Science in agroforestry. Agrofor Syst 30:5–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroth G (1999) A review of belowground interactions in agroforestry, focussing on mechanisms and management options. Agrofor Syst 43:5–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroth G, Zech W (1995) Root length dynamics in agroforestry with Gliricidia sepium as compared to sole cropping in the semi-deciduous rainforest zone of West Africa. Plant Soil 170:297–306

  • Singh RP, Ong CK, Saharan N (1989) Above and below ground interactions in alley-cropping in semi-arid India. Agrofor Syst 9:259–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone EL, Kalisz PJ (1991) On the maximum extent of tree roots. For Ecol Manage 46:59–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tong PY (1994) Achievements and perspectives of tillage and cropping systems in China. Crop Syst Cultiv Tech (Genzuo Yu Zaipei) 77:1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Wajja-Musukwe T-N, Wilson J, Sprent JI, Ong CK, Douglas Deans J, Okorio J (2008) Tree growth and management in Ugandan agroforestry systems: effects of root pruning on tree growth and crop yield. Tree Physiol 28:233–242

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang SW (2010) Study on light and roots distributing characteristics in walnut-wheat & walnut-cotton intercropping systems in Tarim Basin. Master degree thesis Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi

  • Wang XC, Ma XM, Niu SL (1999) Study on the effect of regulators on development and physiology characteristic of tobacco root system. Acta Tabac Sin 5(4):33–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang L, Zhong CG, Cai J, Jiang ZM, Zhang SX (2011) Spatial distribution and morphological variations of the fine roots in walnut-wheat intercropping agroforestry ecosystem. J Northwest A&F Univ (Nat. Sci. Ed.) 39(7):64–70

  • Wei LY, Shang Guan ZP (2006) Specific root length characteristics of three plant species, Bothriochloa ischaemum, Hippophae rhamnoidess and Quercus liaotungensis in the Loess Plateau. Acta Ecol Sin 26(12):4164–4170

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu G, Li J (2000) Primary research on interface ecology in agroforestrial ecosystems. Chin J Appl Ecol 11(3):459–460

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xia HY, Zhao JH, Sun JG, Bao XG, Christie P, Zhang FS, Li L (2013) Dynamics of root length and distribution and shoot biomass of maize affected by intercropping with different companion crops and phosphorus application rates. Field Crop Res 150:52–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young A (1997) Agroforestry for soil management. CAB International, Wallingford, p 276

    Google Scholar 

  • Zamora DS, Jose S, Nair PKR (2007) Morphological plasticity of cotton roots in response to interspecific competition with pecan in an alley cropping system in the southern United States. Agrofor Syst 69:107–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang FS, Li L (2003) Using competitive and facilitative interactions in intercropping systems enhances crop productivity and nutrient-use efficiency. Plant Soil 248:305–312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang JS, Meng P, Yin CJ (2002) Spatial distribution characteristics of apple tree roots in the apple-wheat intercropping. Sci Silvae Sin 38(4):30–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang W, Ahanbieke P, Wang BJ, Xu WL, Li LH, Li L (2013) Root distribution and interactions in jujube tree/wheat agroforestry system. Agrofor Syst 87:929–939

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu MQ, Ma CM, Zhai MP, Wang XY (2009) Fine roots distribution characteristics of Zoanthxylum bungeanum in the rocky mountainous area of Hebei. Sci Silvae Sin 45(2):131–135

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (Project No. 201003043-01) and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (Project No. 2009BADA4B03).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang, China

    B. J. Wang, W. Zhang, P. Ahanbieke, Y. W. Gan & L. H. Li

  2. College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China

    W. Zhang, P. Christie & L. Li

  3. Institute of Soil and Fertilizer and Agricultural Water Conservation, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830091, China

    W. L. Xu

Authors
  1. B. J. Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Ahanbieke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Y. W. Gan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. W. L. Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. L. H. Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. P. Christie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. L. Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to L. H. Li or L. Li.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, B.J., Zhang, W., Ahanbieke, P. et al. Interspecific interactions alter root length density, root diameter and specific root length in jujube/wheat agroforestry systems. Agroforest Syst 88, 835–850 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-014-9729-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-014-9729-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation