Intercropping Faba Bean under Optimal Row Configuration Boosts Codonopsis pilosula Yield and Active Ingredient Content
Agricultural researchers at Shanxi Agricultural University in China have made a groundbreaking discovery, revealing that intercropping faba bean with codonopsis pilosula can significantly increase the root yield and active ingredient content of C. pilosula.
According to a recently published study, the four treatment groups - monoculture C. pilosula, one row of C. pilosula intercropping with one row of faba bean (IC1), two rows of C. pilosula intercropping with one row of faba bean (IC2), and four rows of C. pilosula intercropping with one row of faba bean (IC3) - were tested to determine their effects on root yield, active ingredient content, leaf traits, and photosynthetic rates.
The results showed that intercropping systems outperformed monoculture in terms of yield and active ingredient accumulation, with IC2 yielding the largest improvement. Specifically, IC2 recorded increases in root yield by 7.0-18.7%, lobetyolin yield by 8.6-25.2%, atractylenolide III yield by 34.2-54.0%, and syringin yield by 31.1-53.4% compared to monoculture.
The research also found that intercropping enhanced leaf size, net photosynthetic rate, and C metabolism enzyme activity in C. pilosula. According to the researchers, correlation analysis and partial least squares path model revealed that improved root and active ingredient yield can be attributed to increased leaf photosynthesis and C metabolism, suggesting optimal row configuration is key to boosting C. pilosula yield.
The scientists conclude that a two-row intercropping system of C. pilosula with one row of faba bean holds great promise for establishing sustainable agroecosystems that prioritize high-yield production while maintaining economic viability. As such, the study suggests that researchers and farmers should consider embracing innovative agro ecological approaches to cultivate Codonopsis pilosula sustainably.
The findings are expected to be published in an upcoming issue of a reputable scientific journal.