Effect of inoculating mycorrhizal and Rhizobium on nitrogen uptake in soybean/maize intercropping system

A pot experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of inoculating mycorrhizal and Rhizobium on nitrogen uptake in soybean/maize intercropping system under the different nitrogen supply levels. Results showed that dual inoculating Rhizobium and mycorrhizal facilitate the growth of soybean and maize. The total biomass of soybean and maize increased 37.3% due to dual inoculating Rhizobium SH212 and mycorrhizal G.m under the no nitrogen treatment. On average, soybean nodules number of inoculate Rhizobium and mycorrhizal was improved. Total nitrogen uptake by maize and soybean increased 65.4% and 41.5%, respectively in dual inoculating Rhizobium SH212 and mycorrhizal G.m treatments compared with the control group. Therefore, dual inoculating Rhizobium and mycorrhizal enhanced the growth of intercropped soybean and maize in the appropriate nitrogen supply level. The results of this experiment provided a new scientific idea to improve productivity of intercropping system by microbe, reduce environmental pollution and efficiently enhance the resource. It also played an important role in sustainable agriculture.