Influence the status of soil chemical and biological properties by intercropping

Background Intercropping systems significantly influencechemical and biological properties of the soil. Ourobjective was to evaluate the effects of intercropping systemson soil organic carbon (SOC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen(TKN), available N, P and K, soil microbial biomass carbon(MBC) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) undergeranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.)-based intercroppingsystems.Results Geranium-based intercropping (with cereals,pulses, fodder, and vegetables) resulted in increase of SOCand TKN by 7.8–69.2 % and 10.7–92.8 %, respectively,over geranium alone. Similarly, microbial respiration washigher under geranium intercropped with oat (36.3 %)followed by wheat (30.5 %) and barley (12.5 %) as comparedto that under geranium alone. Soil MBC accountedfor 3.3–4.7 % of SOC content and soil MBN accounted for3.1–3.5 % of TKN under different intercropping conditions.A higher CO2 evolution rate and a wider soil MBC/MBN ratio were recorded with cereals and fodders.Conclusions It is concluded that the build-up of theorganic matter and enhancement of soil MBC in the intercroppingstudy should promote long-term stability of soilhealth.