|
|
Economic benefits of Malus pumila-crop intercropping systems on the Loess Plateau of western Shanxi Province |
Xu Huasen1, Bi Huaxing1, Wang Ruoshui1, Yang Zongru2, Gao Lubo1, Chang Yifang1, Yun Lei1 |
1. College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, Beijing, China; 2. Forestry Service Center of Jixian, 042200, Jixian, Shanxi, China |
|
|
Abstract This study was designed to evaluate economic benefits of 1-to 8-year-old Malus pumila and crop intercropping systems. The monoculture of 1-to 8-year-old Malus pumila and the systems of Malus pumila intercropping with other crops such as Glycine max, Arachis hypogaea, Setaria italica and Zea mays in Jixian County of Shanxi Province were selected as research objects. Costs of production and economic incomes of the intercropping systems and monoculture way were quantitatively analyzed, and economic benefits of Malus pumila-crop intercropping systems were evaluated comprehensively. With the increasing age of Malus pumila trees, annual production costs of four intercropping systems increased from 3 900 - 5 200 to 10 200 - 12 000 yuan/ hm2, while the annual economic incomes declined first from 10 900 - 14 400 to 4 700 - 5 700 yuan/ hm2 and rose again to 14 100 - 16 900 yuan/ hm2. Annual economic benefits of the intercropping systems presented a tendency of firstly rising and then descending with the aging of Malus pumila trees in the entire intercropping period; nevertheless, the economic benefits of the 1-to 7-year-old Malus pumila-crop intercropping systems were always greater than that in the Malus pumila monoculture system before the eighth year when it was reverse. To obtain the maximum economic benefit of intercropping, it is suggested that corn should be intercropped in 1-to 4-year-old Malus pumila tree rows, Setaria italica be intercropped in 5-year-old Malus pumila tree rows, Arachis hypogaea be intercropped in trees rows under 6-to 7-year-old Malus pumila tree rows, and intercropping should be ceased for 8-year-old Malus pumila trees. However, ecological benefits must be considered in practical production of intercropping systems in order to realize integration of immediate and long-term benefits.
|
Received: 15 January 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|