Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2025, Vol.15, No.4, 161-167 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 165 6.3 Adaptability to different site conditions Although chestnut intercropping has certain adaptability to different soil, climate and slope environments, the actual effect is still limited by the environment. In some areas with poor soil fertility or steep slopes, intercropping such as chestnut and tea trees can improve soil structure, increase organic matter and water retention capacity (Wu et al., 2021b; Sun et al., 2024). However, in some areas, due to poor water and fertilizer conditions, the performance of intercropping in weed control and yield increase will be compromised (Stefan et al., 2021). Therefore, when designing intercropping systems, it is necessary to combine local soil conditions, slope size, tree age and seasonal changes, and flexibly select the appropriate mode. 7 Case Study: Field Application of Intercropping Models in a Chestnut Orchard 7.1 Site description, cropping arrangements, and monitoring methods Field experiments are usually conducted in representative chestnut orchards. Researchers will take into account important factors such as soil type, topography and climate. Common intercropping crops include legumes, grasses or some vegetables, such as corn, peppers, ryegrass, etc., which are interplanted with chestnut trees. In the study, the yields of chestnuts and intercropping crops will be measured regularly. The organic matter, nitrogen content and aggregate quantity in the soil will also be detected to understand the changes in soil fertility. Meanwhile, biodiversity and pest and disease conditions will be observed (Dong et al., 2019; Li et al., 2021; Liu et al., 2023). 7.2 Comparative results: yield data, ecological indicators, and income Long-term experimental results show that intercropping chestnut orchards have an average yield about 22% higher than monoculture orchards, and the annual yield is more stable (Li et al., 2021). Intercropping can also improve the organic matter and nitrogen content of the soil, making the soil structure better and enhancing its fertility. It also has obvious economic benefits. For instance, intercropping chestnut orchards with corn or peppers can earn an additional 9 234.35 to 16 629.18 yuan per hectare. Intercropping with ryegrass can also increase by 8 873.92 to 9 956.56 yuan (Liu et al., 2023). However, it should be noted that the crops intercropped and the age of the chestnut orchard will affect the final yield and income. Intercropping of some natural wild grasses may instead lead to a decrease in yield and income. 7.3 Grower feedback, operational challenges, and lessons learned Most farmers believe that intercropping chestnuts is a good way to improve land use efficiency. It can not only earn more money but also protect the ecology, which is a win-win choice. However, problems may also be encountered in actual operation, such as the difficulty in preventing pests and diseases, competition for water and nutrients among crops, lack of management techniques, and insufficient financial and policy support, etc. (Wolpert et al., 2023). Farmers have reflected that to improve the intercropping effect, the key lies in scientifically selecting the right crops, reasonably arranging the planting density, strengthening soil management and promoting mechanization (Dong et al., 2019). Experience also tells us that intercropping brings the most economic benefits in the first few years and helps to compensate for the pressure of early investment (Žalac et al., 2021). 8 Concluding Remarks Many studies have found that intercropping can enhance the efficiency of land use and also increase the variety of crops. In some cases, the protein yield of intercropping even exceeds that of monoculture. Meanwhile, the ecological service function has also been strengthened. For instance, when chestnuts and tea trees are planted together, not only does the organic matter, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients in the soil increase, but the microorganisms in the soil also become more abundant. All these are helpful for crops to absorb nutrients and enhance their drought and disease resistance. It is worth noting that conditions such as the age of the trees and the season can also affect the yield and ecological effects of intercropping. When choosing an intercropping model, it is necessary to consider whether the crops can complement each other's resources, as well as the age of the trees, climate and soil conditions. For instance, the intercropping of chestnuts and tea trees is more suitable for regions with fertile soil and warm climates. This combination can effectively increase yield and stress resistance. If it is in an arid area, some drought-tolerant crops with different root
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