Effects of Maize Intercropping Potato Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Soil Erosion and Nitrogen Losses in Slope Farmland

PurposeThe field experiment of maize intercropping potato inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was carried out, which provided a theoretical basis for controlling the loss of soil, water and nitrogen in sloping farmland, reducing agricultural non-point source pollution and improving crop yield and income.

MethodThe effects of five different treatments including T₁ (maize and potato intercropping+inoculation of AMF), T₂ (maize and potato intercropping+benomyl), T₃ (maize and potato intercropping), T₄ (maize monoculture), and T₅ (potato monoculture) on soil erosion and nitrogen loss in sloping farmland were studied.

ResultsUnder different rainfall intensities, the runoff and erosion amount of maize and potato intercropping treatment were lower than those of single cropping treatment in the period of crop growth. Among them, the total amount of runoff and erosion in T₁ treatment were the smallest. The total runoff amount of T₁ treatment was 47.67%, 22.52%, 72.97% and 77.23% lower than those in T₂, T₃, T₄ and T₅ treatments, respectively; the total erosion amount of T₁ treatment was 65.20%, 50.01%, 77.10% and 96.95% lower than those in T₂, T₃, T₄ and T₅ treatments, respectively. The total nitrogen loss of T₁ and T₃ treatments was significantly lower than that of other treatments (P<0.05), and the total nitrogen loss of T₁ treatment was lower than that of T₂, T₃, T₄ and T₅ treatments by 56.48%, 21.45%, 69.70% and 70.66%, respectively, indicating that the T₁ treatment had the best control effect on soil erosion and nitrogen loss.

ConclusionInoculation of AMF in maize and potato intercropping system can effectively control soil erosion and nitrogen loss, providing a new way to maintain soil and water and nitrogen resources in sloping farmland.