ROOT SYSTEM COMPLEMENTARITY ENHANCES MINERAL NUTRIENT ACQUISITION IN CHICKPEA–PEA INTERSPECIFIC INTERACTIONS

Abstract

Plant adaptation to a particular environment and evolution depend largely on their ability to acquire nutrients from the soil. Roots play an essential role in nutrient acquisition, thus influencing plant growth and productivity. With the rise in global population, to meet the food demand, several strategies have been adopted worldwide to increase the yield. One such strategy is intercropping, which reduces the land requirement and also positively influences plant growth. To date, numerous studies of intercropping systems have been well reported, which have been known to increase the productivity of the crop. The most common among them are cereals and legumes. However, studies involving legume-legume intercropping system is scarce. In this study, we investigated the effects of interspecific root interaction between chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and pea (Pisum sativum) on nutrient uptake, rhizosphere nutrient availability, and plant growth performance. Overall, our findings suggest that interspecific root interaction between chickpea and pea promotes rhizosphere modification and nutrient acquisition, ultimately enhancing plant growth. This study highlights the importance of root-mediated processes in legume–legume interactions and provides insights into potential strategies for improving nutrient use efficiency in mixed cropping systems.