Root pruning reduces root competition in living mulch cropping systems

Summary

In intercropping systems with a cash crop and a living mulch intercrop, competition between the cash crop and the intercrop (the living mulch) often reduces the yield of the cash crop. This project investigated (1) the influence of root pruning of living mulches on aboveground biomass of white cabbage. Below-ground growth and competition were examined by measuring (2) root distribution in minirhizotrons and (3) uptake of 15N placed at different soil depths. Two field experiments were carried out at the Aarslev Research Centre in Denmark.
These studies showed that the ability of mulch species to compete for resources at depth was restricted by pruning.