Nutrient uptake and utilization play an important role in yield advantage of intercropping. However, the effects of nutrient and utilization on yield advantage of new intercropping systems are rarely explored in Northwest China. A field experiment was carried out to investigate those effects under maize & potato, maize & rapeseed, soybean & potato, soybean & rapeseed and potato & rapeseed in Northwest China.

The results showed that maize & potato, maize & rapeseed, soybean & potato and soybean & rapeseed intercropping systems had yield advantages when measured under a land equivalent ratio (LER), and economic benefits were higher than those in the corresponding sole cropping systems. Potato & rapeseed intercropping systems had a yield disadvantage measured under land equivalent ratio (LER). Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake of maize & potato, maize & rapeseed, soybean & potato and soybean & rapeseed intercropping systems increased by 10%-41%, 8%-21% and 11%-34% compared to the weighted means of corresponding sole cropping systems. In contrast, potato & rapeseed intercropping systems decreased N, P and K uptake by 35%, 42% and 63%, compared with corresponding weighted mean of sole cropping systems. N, P and K utilization efficiency by maize & rapeseed and soybean & rapeseed intercropping systems were 10%-21%, 5%-7% and 15%-17% higher than the weighted means of sole cropping systems. N and K utilization efficiency in intercropping systems of maize & potato was 3% and 4%lower than those in the corresponding sole cropping systems. P utilization efficiency in maize & potato intercropping was 21% higher than that in the corresponding sole cropping systems. The N, P and K utilization efficiency in soybean & potato intercropping systems was reduced by 15%, 3% and 14% compared to the weighted means of the sole cropping systems. N and P utilization efficiency in potato & rapeseed intercropping was 18% and 4% lower than that in the corresponding sole cropping systems. K utilization efficiency in maize & potato intercropping was 20% higher than that in the corresponding sole cropping systems. The N, P and K utilization efficiency in soybean & potato intercropping systems was reduced by 15%, 3% and14% compared to the weighted means of the sole cropping systems. N and P utilization efficiency in potato & rapeseed intercropping was 18% and 4% lower than that in the corresponding sole cropping systems. K utilization efficiency in maize & potato intercropping was 20% higher than that in the corresponding sole cropping systems.

In summary, not all intercropping systems have yield advantage, and yield advantage of intercropping was mainly attributed to enhanced nutrient uptake efficiency.

Nutrient uptake and utilization play an important role in yield advantage of intercropping. However, the effects of nutrient and utilization on yield advantage of new intercropping systems are rarely explored in Northwest China. A field experiment was carried out to investigate those effects under maize & potato, maize & rapeseed, soybean & potato, soybean & rapeseed and potato & rapeseed in Northwest China.

The results showed that maize & potato, maize & rapeseed, soybean & potato and soybean & rapeseed intercropping systems had yield advantages when measured under a land equivalent ratio (LER), and economic benefits were higher than those in the corresponding sole cropping systems. Potato & rapeseed intercropping systems had a yield disadvantage measured under land equivalent ratio (LER). Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake of maize & potato, maize & rapeseed, soybean & potato and soybean & rapeseed intercropping systems increased by 10%-41%, 8%-21% and 11%-34% compared to the weighted means of corresponding sole cropping systems. In contrast, potato & rapeseed intercropping systems decreased N, P and K uptake by 35%, 42% and 63%, compared with corresponding weighted mean of sole cropping systems. N, P and K utilization efficiency by maize & rapeseed and soybean & rapeseed intercropping systems were 10%-21%, 5%-7% and 15%-17% higher than the weighted means of sole cropping systems. N and K utilization efficiency in intercropping systems of maize & potato was 3% and 4%lower than those in the corresponding sole cropping systems. P utilization efficiency in maize & potato intercropping was 21% higher than that in the corresponding sole cropping systems. The N, P and K utilization efficiency in soybean & potato intercropping systems was reduced by 15%, 3% and 14% compared to the weighted means of the sole cropping systems. N and P utilization efficiency in potato & rapeseed intercropping was 18% and 4% lower than that in the corresponding sole cropping systems. K utilization efficiency in maize & potato intercropping was 20% higher than that in the corresponding sole cropping systems. The N, P and K utilization efficiency in soybean & potato intercropping systems was reduced by 15%, 3% and14% compared to the weighted means of the sole cropping systems. N and P utilization efficiency in potato & rapeseed intercropping was 18% and 4% lower than that in the corresponding sole cropping systems. K utilization efficiency in maize & potato intercropping was 20% higher than that in the corresponding sole cropping systems.

In summary, not all intercropping systems have yield advantage, and yield advantage of intercropping was mainly attributed to enhanced nutrient uptake efficiency.