Yield Improvement by Intercropping-Viewed from a Niche Perspective

Intensive farming has significantly contributed to the improvement on the global food production and security. However, ecologically, the uniformity in genetics and plant variety as well as the high demand on resources, which is characteristic to the practice,invariably restricts utilization of the crops and rejuvenation capacity of the nature. Compared with monoculture, appropriate intercropping can generally improve crop yield with reduced inputs. And, at the same time, make full use of the available resources, time, space, and nutrients on farmlands. Furthermore, intercropping can also minimize environmental pollution by eliminating or reducing the use of agrochemicals. Since all plants have their natural niches, the morphological and physiological differences among them oftentimes permit capitalization of a wide range of advantages through mutual compensations. Unfortunately, the information in regard to the eco-niche on intercropping is rather scant. Therefore, this article reviews the relevent literature published domestically and internationally with an attempt to bring attention to agriculture scientists for in increased effort in this field of study. Recent advances on yield-improvement by intercropping from the aspects of spatial, nutritional, and temporal niches are discussed. Several proposed directions for future research, such as ecological niche, interspecies relationship, and resource utilization,are included.