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Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology ›› 2023, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (7): 1883-1891.doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202307.012

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Ecosystem service value of conservation tillage with cover crop-maize intercropping in the black soil region of Northeast China

BA Xiaobo1,3, SUI Xin1,4, LIU Mingda2, XIE Hongtu1,3, LIANG Chao1,3, BAO Xuelian1,3*   

  1. 1Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China;
    2Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China;
    3Key Lab of Conservation Tillage and Ecological Agriculture, Liaoning Pro-vince, Shenyang 110016, China;
    4University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2023-01-18 Accepted:2023-05-13 Online:2023-07-15 Published:2024-01-15

Abstract: Scientific evaluating ecosystem service value (ESV) of cover crop cultivation system can provide important guidance for the construction of conservation tillage pattern in Northeast China. Based on empirical analysis and the theory of ecosystem service value, we calculated the ESVs of intercropping maize with gramineous cover crop ryegrass and with leguminous cover crops, alfalfa and hairy vetch, with maize monoculture as the control. The ESVs included product supply, gas regulation, nutrient cycling, and soil and water conservation. Results showed that ESVs of cover crop-maize intercropping were higher than those of maize monoculture. Nutrient cycling value was the highest, followed by product supply value, accounting for 67.3% and 29.3% of total ESV, respectively. The nutrient cycling value of cover crop-maize intercropping was higher than that of maize monoculture. The product supply value of alfalfa-maize and hairy vetch-maize were 18.7% and 21.0% higher than that of ryegrass-maize, respectively. Cover crops had the potential to increase the value of gas regulation services, but had little impact on the value of soil and water conservation. Considering the ESVs, intercropping maize with leguminous cover crops would have the greatest benefits.

Key words: cover crop, ecosystem service value, conservation tillage, intercropping pattern, leguminous crop