Effects and Driving Mechanisms of Leguminous Green manure on Soil Ecosystem Multifunctionality in Apple Orchards
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1.College of Grassland Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling;2.College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling;3.College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling

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Supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Nos. 2023YFD2301000 and 2021YFD190070405) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 42577394)

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    Abstract:

    【Objective】Intensive orchard management in semi-arid regions has caused soil quality degradation and declining ecosystems’ multifunctionality, thereby threatening production sustainability. While green manure mulching shows promise for sustainable orchard management, the mechanistic impact on soil quality and ecosystem multifunctionality remain unclear.【Method】This study investigated the impact of four green manure mulching treatments- no mulching, gramineae monoculture (ryegrass, Lolium perenne L.), legume monoculture (white clover, Trifolium repens L.), legume-gramineae mixture (1:1) on soil quality and ecosystem multifunctionality in semi-arid orchards.【Result】The results revealed that green manure mulching substantially enhanced soil quality, with legume monoculture showing superior performance (89.0% and 88.5% increases versus grass and mixed systems, respectively). All treatments stimulated soil enzyme activities and alleviated microbial limitations (carbon: 5.8%-8.6%; nitrogen: 5.0%-14.7%), collectively increasing ecosystem multifunctionality by 87.4%-100.2%.【Conclusion】This study reveals that green manure mulching effectively enhances soil ecosystem multifunctionality in semi-arid orchards, with legume-based systems (monoculture or mixed) recommended for implementation.

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History
  • Received:September 11,2025
  • Revised:December 11,2025
  • Adopted:January 16,2026
  • Online: January 20,2026
  • Published:
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