Intercropping Forage Mulberry Benefits Nodulation and Growth of Soybeans

In northern China, intercropping soybeans with forage mulberry enhances soybean yields through the optimization of natural resource use. However, the mechanisms underlying these improvements remain largely unknown. The aim was to explore the effects of this intercropping on soybean growth and yield. We used transcriptomics, redundancy analysis (RDA), and structural equation modelling (SEM) to evaluate soybean growth, yield, and nodulation; Results showed that intercropping didn't adversely affect plant height or stem diameter but increased chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, leaf area, and yield of soybean. It also increased available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK) and soil water content (SWC), while reducing soil available nitrogen (AN) and pH value. It promoted P and organic acid metabolism, transporter activity, and key - gene expression. RDA strikingly revealed that intercropping was positively correlated with yield, gene expression and soil properties. Meanwhile, SEM analysis demonstrates that soil AK, AP content, and SWC are positively correlated with soybean nodulation. Additionally, nodulation traits can directly enhance nitrogen metabolism, which subsequently boosts photosynthesis and ultimately exerts an indirect positive influence on soybean yield. Furthermore, intercropping soybeans with forage mulberry did not induce shade stress on the above-ground portion of soybean but promoted its growth and nodulation.