Journal of Zhejiang Agricultural Sciences ›› 2025, Vol. 66 ›› Issue (8): 1998-2001.DOI: 10.16178/j.issn.0528-9017.20240168

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Growth performance of forage grass intercropped in young tea plantations and its effects on soil properties

HUANG Xin1(), LI Jinbing2, JIANG Junfang1, ZHENG Kaizhi1, YANG Bo2, ZHENG Huichao1,*()   

  1. 1. Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021,Zhejiang
    2. Shangyu Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Technology Promotion Center, Shaoxing 312300, Zhejiang
  • Received:2024-02-29 Online:2025-08-11 Published:2025-09-04

Abstract:

Pennisetum americanum, Sorghum-sudangrass, and Trifolium repens were intercropped with tea trees in young tea plantations to compare their biomass yields, effects on soil physicochemical properties, and weed control efficacy. The results showed that Pennisetum americanum exhibited the highest biomass yield at 597.0 kg·hm-2 among the intercropped forage grasses. Intercropping forage grasses increased the organic matter content in the 0-10 cm soil layer and reduced soil bulk density, with the leguminous Trifolium repens demonstrating the most pronounced effects. Compared with the control, intercropping forage grasses in young tea plantations not only enhanced overall soil nutrient content (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) but also suppressed weed infestation. In conclusion, intercropping forage grasses in tea plantations is an effective measure to improve soil fertility and enhance the ecological environment of tea plantations.

Key words: young tea plantation, intercropping, forage grass, biomass yield, soil properties

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