The effects of phosphorus application levels on the root growth and rhizosphere with intercropping system of spring wheat and soybean

The influences of phosphorus levels on the root growth and rhizosphere in a spring wheat and soybean intercropping system were investigated by rhizobox method. The results suggested that phosphorus stimulate the root growth of both wheat and soybean, i.e., higher root dry weight of wheat and root/shoot (R/S) ratio in intercropping systems than those in monoculture. The root dry weight and length of wheat were various by different treatments that roots of wheat in intercropping system were much accumulating in the upper layer of soil and intensified with lacking of phosphorus. The root of acid phosphatease (Apase) activity increased significantly in the treatments as lacking phosphorus, three times higher than that with phosphorus application. The soil pH in the rhizosphere was lower in soybean monoculture than wheat soybean intercroppoing systems.