Change in leaf C:N:P stoichiometry and its correlations with soil available nutrients and dry matter yield in common vetch/oat intercropping under N fertilization

Abstract

C, N, and P concentrations and stoichiometric ratios of the leaf are important for adaptive plant growth and nutrient utilization. However, our knowledge of how these traits change with N fertilization in intercropping systems remains limited. Hence, a 2-year experiment was conducted with four cropping patterns, including two-row common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) intercropping with one-row oat (Avena sativa L.), one-row common vetch intercropping with two-row oat as well as sole oat and common vetch cropping with 0, 50, and 100 kg N/ha fertilization. Leaf total nitrogen (LTN) and phosphorus (LTP) concentrations and C:N:P stoichiometric ratios were measured and their linkages with soil nutrient availability were analysed. N fertilization significantly increased LTN, N:P, and C:P, while significantly decreasing LTP and C:N. Intercropping affected leaf nutrient concentrations and stoichiometric ratios, which were affected by N fertilization, basic soil fertility, and crop species. Intercropping and N fertilization affected soil nitrate nitrogen (SNN), available phosphorus (SAP) content, and dry matter (DM) yield. There were strong correlations between the leaf nutritional traits of oats and SNN, SAP, and DM, but few correlations were observed with common vetch. In conclusion, intercropping led to contrasting changes in leaf nutrient concentrations and stoichiometric ratios, which varied with N fertilization and crop species. We failed to reveal solid and direct effects of intercropping ratio on leaf nutritional traits. These findings contribute to a better understanding of crop nutritional traits and the link between leaves and soil in response to intercropping and N fertilization.