Effect of Maize and Potato Intercropping on Their Root Growth and Distribution

Purpose The root growth and distribution in maize and potato intercropping system were studied .

Method We took 4 rows maize intercropping 4 rows potato, maize monoculture and potato monoculture as the research object, root sampling by spatial coordinate sampling.

Result (1) Root mass density of maize and potatoes decreased with soil depth, most of the decrease was in the 10-20 cm soil layer, and the maximum value appeared in the 0-10 cm soil layer. (2) In 2013 and 2014 maize root mass density of potato flowering stage on the second line was more than that of the first line and monoculture, the first line was minimum, explaining the first line of maize root growth in intercropping was disadvantage in potato flowering stage, root mass density of maize on the first line was the maximum in the mature stage, explaining promoted root growth on first line in potato mature stage. (3) Both the potato flowering stage and maturity stage, the potato root mass density of the first line in the 0-10 cm soil layer was significantly higher than that of the second line, but the first line was less than the second line in the 20-30 cm, description explain promoted root growth on first line and the second line of root is extended to the deeper in soil. (4) Root system of maize had trend to potato growth in potato flowering stage or maturity, while the potato had trend to maize growth in mature period.

Conclusion Therefore, root distribution is reasonable in maize and potato intercropping system, the root mass density in maize and potato intercropping system is more than that in monoculture, it has important to maize and potato intercropping.