Biological N fixation but not mineral N fertilization enhances the accumulation of N in peanut soil in maize/peanut intercropping system

Legume/cereal intercropping has the potential to maximize use of resources raise yields due enhanced nitrogen (N) fixation by legume root nodules, while high N fertilization may inhibit nodulation legume. However, whether legume/cereal can promote accumulation soil storage with and its underlying mechanism are less clear. Here, we evaluated long-term (5 years) effects maize/peanut mineral on peanut total content cycling functional genes. The experiment includes two planting patterns (peanut maize monocropping) three rates (0, 150, 300 kg ha −1 ). Intercropping increased (STN) average 18.2%, positive effect STN decreased application rate. Highest nodule fresh weight (NFW) 64.3% 46.0% in monocropping system, respectively. no NFW. nif H gene abundance 26.5%. SEM analysis indicated that NFW combined explain 46% variance STN. Our results indicate biological but not enhances planted system. • Maize/peanut soil. Nitrogen root. N.