Effect of Intercropping on Fruit Yield and Financial Benefits of Rosa roxburghii Tratt Orchard in Southwest China

Abstract

The practice of intercropping in Rosa roxburghii Tratt orchards holds potential for enhancing fruit yield and financial benefits, yet remains insufficiently explored. To address this, we delved into the effects of intercropping on fruit yield and financial viability of R. roxburghii orchards in Longli County, southern China. Orchards of varying ages (4 years old and 5 years old; 7 years old and 8 years old) were subjected to different treatments: (i) Zea mays and Capsicum annuum intercropping, and clean tillage for younger orchards, and (ii) Lolium perenne, natural grass, and clean tillage for older orchards. Each treatment was assessed for its impact on fruit yield and financial benefits. In younger orchards, intercropping with Z. mays and C. annuum did not significantly elevate fruit yield compared to clean tillage in the 4-year-old orchard; however, C. annuum intercropping significantly improved fruit yield in the 5-year-old orchard. Concurrently, intercropping significantly augmented the total financial benefit by 9234.35–10,486.25 CNY ha−1 (Z. mays) and 14,304.90–16,629.18 CNY ha−1 (C. annuum) compared to clean tillage. In older orchards, L. perenne intercropping significantly elevated fruit yield by 598.84–803.64 kg·ha−1, while natural grass reduced it by 394.61–986.24 kg·ha−1, compared to clean tillage. Additionally, L. perenne intercropping significantly boosted the total financial benefit by 8873.92–9956.56 CNY ha−1, whereas natural grass negatively impacted financial benefits by 78.42–2444.94 CNY ha−1 compared to clean tillage. Collectively, our results illustrate that judicious selection of intercrops, based on orchard age and conditions, can significantly enhance both fruit yield and financial advantages in R. roxburghii orchards. This study furnishes vital insights for orchard management and accentuates the prospective merits of intercropping in fruit production systems.