Intercropping Forage Mulberry Benefits Nodulation and Growth of Soybeans

Xinjie Feng, Minghui Zhong, Xuexian Zhao, Xiuli Zhang (), Yanbo Hu () and Huihui Zhang
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Xinjie Feng: College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Minghui Zhong: College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Xuexian Zhao: College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Xiuli Zhang: College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Yanbo Hu: College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Huihui Zhang: College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-18

Abstract: In northern China, intercropping soybeans with forage mulberry ( Morus alba L.) enhances soybean yields through the optimization of natural resource use. However, the mechanisms underlying these improvements remain largely unknown. The aim was to explore the effects of this intercropping on soybean growth and yield. We used transcriptomics, redundancy analysis, and structural equation modeling to evaluate soybean growth, yield, and nodulation; results showed that intercropping did not adversely affect plant height or stem diameter but increased chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, leaf area, and yield of soybean. It also increased soil available phosphorus, soil available potassium and soil water content, while reducing soil available nitrogen and the pH value. It promoted P and organic acid metabolism, transporter activity, and key-gene expression. Redundancy analysis strikingly reveals that intercropping is positively correlated with yield, gene expression and soil properties. Meanwhile, structural equation modeling analysis demonstrates that the content of available phosphorus, available potassium, and water in rhizosphere soil are positively correlated with soybean nodulation. Additionally, nodulation traits can directly enhance nitrogen metabolism, which subsequently boosts photosynthesis and ultimately exerts an indirect positive influence on soybean yield. Furthermore, intercropping soybeans with forage mulberry did not induce shade stress on the above-ground portion of soybeans but promoted its growth and nodulation.

Keywords: biosynthesis pathway; forage mulberry; isoflavone; nodulation traits; photosynthesis; soybean intercropping (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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