Soil C and N storage in intercropping versus single cropping systems

In this project, I explore how intercropping affects soil C and N storage based upon a 7-yr field experiment and unravel the underlying mechanisms through investigating soil delta 15N and standing root biomass in two 1-yr field experiments. We found that intercropping enhanced both soil C and N storage compared to single cropping systems. The underlying mechanism include greater root biomass input, improved biological N fixation (or reduced gaseous N losses) as well as efficient N acquisition between functionally complementary intercropped species. These findings indicate that intercropping can improve long-term soil functioning while maintaining food production.