In intercropping systems, interspecies interaction intensity has an important effect on water consumption. However, how interspecies interaction intensity reduces water consumption in intercropping is still unclear. The effects of interspecies interaction intensity in wheat (Triticum aestivum)–maize (Zea mays) intercropping system on water consumption characteristics, root length density, and grain yield were examined. A 3-yr field experiment was conducted to evaluate three root interaction intensities: complete belowground interaction (W/M, without root barrier), partial belowground interaction (NW/M, nylon mesh barrier), and without belowground interaction (PW/M, plastic sheet barrier), with two plant densities of maize (45,000 plants ha⁻¹, M1, and 52,500 plants ha⁻¹, M2) in wheat–maize intercropping system. During co-growth period of wheat and maize and independent growth of maize, evaporation was reduced by W/M and with increased maize plant density. Root length density of maize was inhibited by intercropped wheat during the co-growth period. Root length density of maize in the W/M treatment was increased by 14% in 2014 and 45% in 2015, compared with the NW/M treatment, and increased by 26% in 2014 and 119% in 2015, compared with the PW/M treatment, expect for 2016, during maize independent growth. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between evaporation and root length density of maize. Grain yield was increased by W/M2 treatment. Increasing interspecies interaction intensity can decrease evaporation by increasing the root length density of intercropping crops.

中文翻译：

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种间相互作用强度通过调节根长密度影响小麦-玉米间作的耗水量

在间作系统中，种间相互作用强度对耗水量有重要影响。然而，种间相互作用强度如何减少间作中的耗水量仍不清楚。研究了小麦（ Triticum aestivum）-玉米（Zea mays ）间作系统种间相互作用强度对耗水特性、根长密度和籽粒产量的影响。进行了为期 3 年的田间试验以评估三种根系相互作用强度：完全地下相互作用（W/M，无根屏障）、部分地下相互作用（NW/M​​，尼龙网屏障）和无地下相互作用（PW/M，塑料薄膜屏障），具有两种种植密度的玉米（45,000 株公顷^-1, M1 和 52,500 株植物 ha ^-1, M2) 在小麦-玉米间作系统中。在小麦和玉米共生期和玉米独立生长期，蒸发量减少W/M，玉米株密度增加。共生期小麦间作抑制了玉米的根长密度。与 NW/M 处理相比，W/M 处理的玉米根长密度在 2014 年和 2015 年分别增加了 14% 和 45%，与 PW/ 相比，2014 年和 2015 年分别增加了 26% 和 119%。 M 处理，预计 2016 年，在玉米独立生长期间。此外，蒸发量与玉米根长密度呈负相关。W/M2处理增加了谷物产量。增加种间相互作用强度可以通过增加间作作物的根长密度来减少蒸发。