Intercropping is a traditional farming system that increases crop diversity to strengthen agroecosystem functions while decreasing chemical inputs and minimizing negative environmental effects of crop production.Inter...Intercropping is a traditional farming system that increases crop diversity to strengthen agroecosystem functions while decreasing chemical inputs and minimizing negative environmental effects of crop production.Intercropping is currently considerable interest because of its importance in sustainable agriculture.Here,we synthesize the factors that make intercropping a sustainable means of food production by integrating biodiversity of natural ecosystems and crop diversity.In addition to well-known yield increases,intercropping can also increase yield stability over the long term and increase systemic resistance to plant diseases,pests and other unfavorable factors(e.g.,nutrient deficiencies).The efficient use of resources can save mineral fertilizer inputs,reduce environmental pollution risks and greenhouse gas emissions caused by agriculture,thus mitigating global climate change.Intercropping potentially increases above-and belowground biodiversity of various taxa at field scale,consequently it enhances ecosystem services.Complementarity and selection effects allow a better understanding the mechanisms behind enhanced ecosystem functioning.The development of mechanization is essential for largescale application of intercropping.Agroecosystem multifunctionality and soil health should be priority topics in future research on intercropping.展开更多
基金The study was funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0300202)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31430014,31971450).
文摘Intercropping is a traditional farming system that increases crop diversity to strengthen agroecosystem functions while decreasing chemical inputs and minimizing negative environmental effects of crop production.Intercropping is currently considerable interest because of its importance in sustainable agriculture.Here,we synthesize the factors that make intercropping a sustainable means of food production by integrating biodiversity of natural ecosystems and crop diversity.In addition to well-known yield increases,intercropping can also increase yield stability over the long term and increase systemic resistance to plant diseases,pests and other unfavorable factors(e.g.,nutrient deficiencies).The efficient use of resources can save mineral fertilizer inputs,reduce environmental pollution risks and greenhouse gas emissions caused by agriculture,thus mitigating global climate change.Intercropping potentially increases above-and belowground biodiversity of various taxa at field scale,consequently it enhances ecosystem services.Complementarity and selection effects allow a better understanding the mechanisms behind enhanced ecosystem functioning.The development of mechanization is essential for largescale application of intercropping.Agroecosystem multifunctionality and soil health should be priority topics in future research on intercropping.
