Common mycorrhizal networks contribute to overyielding in faba bean/coix intercropping systems
Xu Qiao, Xinwei Guo, Ailian Li
Abstract
Abstract Intercropping typically results in overyielding, particularly in sustainable, low‐input agriculture systems. We designed a greenhouse experiment to understand how common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) regulate intra‐ and inter‐specific plant−plant interactions in intercropping systems, utilizing microcosms divided into one inner and four outer compartments. The inner compartment was separated from the outer compartments by a 0.45 μm mesh (+Soil water and nutrients−CMNs−Roots), a 30 μm mesh (+Soil water and nutrients+CMNs−Roots), a solid barrier (−Soil water and nutrients−CMNs−Roots), and no barrier (+Soil water and nutrients+CMNs+Roots). Both faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) and coix ( Coix lachryrma‐jobi L.) were grown as the donor plants in the inner compartment. The plant combinations were donor coix−receiver coix, donor coix−receiver faba bean, donor faba bean−receiver faba bean, and donor faba bean−receiver coix. The inner compartment was inoculated with Flomus intraradices , or Funneliformis mosseae , or remained noninoculated in soil with low P content (< 5 g/kg soil). Our study found that there were clear advantages of interspecific interaction (coix/faba bean combination) over intraspecific (coix/coix and faba bean/faba bean combinations) in the both presence and absence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF). The establishment of CMNs appears to promote intra‐ and inter‐specific interactions between donor and receiver plants, and exhibits strong positive effects on plant growth and P uptake. The contribution to plant growth and P uptake of CMNs formed by F. mosseae was greater than by F. intraradices .