Positive intercropping effects on biomass production are species-specific and involve rhizosphere enzyme activities: Evidence from a field study

Abstract Less attention has been given to soil enzymes that contribute beneficial rhizosphere interactions in intercropping systems. Therefore, we performed a field experiment by growing faba bean, lupine, and maize mono mixed cultures moderately fertile soil. We measured shoot biomass the kinetic parameters (maximal velocity ( V max ) Michaelis-constant K m )) of three key rhizosphere: Leucine-aminopeptidase (LAP), β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), phosphomonoesterase (PHO). Faba bean benefitted greater production with both lupine compared its expected monoculture. Next, LAP NAG were less responsive across crop species. In contrast, values PHO increased when grown lupine. A positive relative interaction index for P N uptake showed net facilitative cultures. Overall, these results suggest over-productivity is crop-specific effects could be modulated availability. argue enzyme activities involved nutrient cycling should incorporated further research.