Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 137-149 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 141 3.4 Potential of intercropping and diversified planting systems Potatoes have good ecological and economic effects in intercropping and multi-crop systems. For example, planting them with legumes such as sword beans (Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), peas (Pisum sativum L.), and common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) not only enriches the above-ground and underground organisms, but also improves resource utilization efficiency and yield (Gitari, 2018; Nyawade et al., 2019c; 2020). The potato-legume intercropping system allows the ground to be covered with more plants, the soil to have more water, nutrients are not easily lost, the yield is also increased, and the income increases accordingly (Gitari, 2018; Nyawade et al., 2020). In experiments in Kenya, the yield of this intercropping method is 2 to 3 times that of potato alone, and the land use efficiency is also higher (Nyawade et al., 2020). Intercropping can also help regulate soil temperature, improve photosynthesis and water use efficiency, make crops grow better, and make the system more stable (Nyawade et al., 2019c). This planting method can also increase the diversity and activity of soil microorganisms, help decompose organic matter and nutrient cycling, and improve soil health (Nyawade et al., 2019a). In the arid regions of north China and northwest China, potato, corn and leguminous crops are rotated or intercropped to not only increase yield and economic benefits, but also reduce groundwater consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making the system more resilient and sustainable (Liu et al., 2023; Wang et al., 2023; Yang et al., 2024). 4 Environmental Benefits of Potato-based Systems 4.1 Low greenhouse gas emissions per kilocalorie produced Potatoes are a staple food crop. Compared with corn, wheat and rice, they emit less greenhouse gases per kilocalorie produced. In China, a systematic life cycle analysis was conducted and found that the carbon emissions and water consumption of potatoes were lower than those of these traditional food crops. With the advancement of the "potato staple food" policy, the carbon footprint, water footprint and land use of staple food crops are expected to be reduced by 17%~25% by 2030 (Liu et al., 2021). In industrial cultivation in Brazil, the carbon emissions of producing one kilogram of potatoes are 0.135 kg CO2-eq, which is lower than vegetable crops such as tomatoes (Pereira et al., 2025). In southern China, the rotation of sweet potatoes and potatoes has also been shown to reduce emissions while ensuring yields (Tang et al., 2022). 4.2 Reduce dependence on pesticides and herbicides through integrated pest management Traditional potato farming often uses a lot of chemical pesticides and herbicides, which affects the environment and water quality. But now many farmers are beginning to use integrated pest management (IPM) to reduce these chemical inputs. They prevent pests and diseases by rotating crops, intercropping, planting cover crops, reducing tillage and using organic fertilizers (Junge and Finckh, 2024). If regenerative agriculture or ecological planting methods are adopted, soil structure and biodiversity will improve, pests and diseases will be reduced, and pesticides and herbicides will be used less. The use of biostimulants and microbial fertilizers can also make crops healthier and reduce dependence on external chemicals (Ollio et al., 2025). 4.3 The potential of low-input and organic production systems If organic fertilizers, biostimulants or microbial fertilizers are used to replace some or all chemical fertilizers, yields will not decrease, but tuber quality and soil health will improve (Mancinelli et al., 2020; Ollio et al., 2025). In field trials in the Mediterranean region, the use of organic fertilizers and conservation tillage to grow potatoes can increase soil carbon input, improve organic matter, and reduce CO2 emissions (Mancinelli et al., 2020). In southern Spain, studies have found that combining microbial inoculants with reduced fertilizer use reduced CO2 emissions by 25%~42% compared to traditional methods, and increased yield and quality (Ollio et al., 2025). Diversified planting, planting cover crops and using organic fertilizers increase soil biodiversity and ecological functions (Junge and Finckh, 2024; Henzel et al., 2025). 4.4 Improving soil health through cover crops Planting cover crops and potatoes in rotation or intercropping can improve soil. For example, rotating legumes or
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