Effects of yam/leguminous crops intercropping on soil chemical and biological properties of yam field.

We investigated the effects of yam/leguminous crops intercropping on soil chemical and biological properties as well as soil comprehensive fertility in a field experiment. Results showed that compared with the monoculture, both yam/alfalfa and yam/clover intercropping increased the concentrations of nitrate nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P) and available potassium (K) in the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm soil layers, while reduced soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) in early growth period and rhizome rapid expansion period of yam. Intercropping with leguminous crops enhanced the activities of urease, alkaline phosphatase and catalase, and also enhanced soil basal respiration in the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm soil layers during the whole growth period of yam. There was no influence of intercropping on soil sucrase activity and dehydrogenase activity. The effects of intercropping with leguminous crops on soil fertility at yam harvest were further analyzed by combining the membership function model and principal component analysis. Results showed that intercropping with leguminous crops could significantly increase the soil comprehensive fertility in the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm soil layers. Therefore, it might be an effective measure to improve soil fertility and environmental quality, as well as alleviate continuous cropping obstacles of yam by yam/leguminous crops intercropping through enhancing soil biological diversity.