[Resource competition in maize/soybean intercropping system].

The soil water storage, growth development, biomass and yield in maize/soybean intercropping system under different separation methods were measured to analyze the resource competition of the intercropping crops. The treatments included no shoot or root separation (T1), shoot and root separation (T2), only root separation (T3), and only shoot separation (T4). Results indicated that compared to others, the average soil moisture content in the 0-120 cm soil layer decreased by 3.1%-12.9% in maize line, and by 2.8%-12.5% in soybean line for T1. Compared to T1, maize growth stage in T2, T3 and T4 came late, and the plant height, leaf area and cumulative total biomass, yield and yield components all decreased, while the trends found for soybean were the opposite. In summary, the changes of crop growth and yield in the maize/soybean intercropping system were driven by the interactions of above- and below-ground parts, and the below-ground part played a more important role.