Research on Soil Moisture Retention Capacity and Crop Water Use Efficiency in Chili Pepper and Maize Intercropping System

Field experiments were conducted in order to understand effects of soil moisture retention capacity, soil water storage and crop water use efficiency in chili pepper and maize intercropping system (10:2) in Yanshan County, Yunnan Province in 2013. The results showed that: (1) soil moisture retention capacity in intercropped marginal chili pepper line and middle chili pepper line were higher than those in soil of monoculture system. Soil moisture retention capacity in growth period was higher than that in fruiting stage. The average non-capillary water-holding capacity of intercropped chili pepper was higher 54.86% than monoculture system. (2) Soil water storage in maize monoculture system was higher than in chili pepper monoculture system in harvesting stage. Soil water storage in harvesting stage was higher 64.95% than in sowing stage. (3) Yield and crop water use efficiency of intercropped middle chili pepper line were higher than marginal chili pepper line, but there were not significant different among intercropping system and monoculture system. Yield and crop water use efficiency of intercropped maize were higher than monoculture system. Soil water storage, yield, and crop water use efficiency are improved by maize and pepper intercropping.