Spatial distribution of soil nutrient in fruit-crop intercropping in Loess Plateau of west Shanxi Province

The objective of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution of soil nutrient and inter-effects under different types of fruit-crop intercropping system in the Loess Plateau of west Shanxi Province. Organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus (p) and available potassium (k) in 0-100 cm soil profile were measured and analyzed under three typical fruit-crop intercropping types, i.e., walnut-peanut, walnut-soybean and walnut-maize. The results of this paper showed as follows: Spatial distribution characteristics of soil nutrient in walnut-crop intercropping types showed certain similarity. In vertical direction, soil nutrient was decreasing with the increase of soil depth, and decrease gradient of soil nutrient in vertical direction was decreasing with the increase of the distance from the walnut tree. In horizontal direction, soil nutrient was decreasing with the decrease of the distance from the walnut tree.There were competition for soil nutrient between walnut and crop in walnut-crop intercropping system.?The competition was the weakest in the peanut and walnut type, and the strongest in the maize and walnut type. In order to decrease soil nutrient competition between walnut and crop in walnut-crop intercropping system, the following measures should be taken. Enhancing the management of irrigation and fertilization for intercropping system. Increasing the distance of crops from the tree row, and setting root barrier between crops and walnut.