Aboveground biomass of intercropping forages in orchard and its effect on soil fertility

Eleven kinds of forage plants, including Cichorium intybus, Lolium multiflorum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, four alfalfa varieties (Hunter River, Overseason, WL525HQ, Eureka) and three white clover varieties(Haifa, Rivenda, koala) were intercropped in pear orchard to monitor the aboveground biomass change of forages and investigate the effect of intercropping forages on soil fertility for selecting the suitable forage plants. The results of this study showed that C. intybus, L. multiflorum, Hunter Rive and Haifa had a higher yield and their fresh yield were more than 30 000 kg/ha and dry yield more than 4000 kg/ha. The highest yield of L. multiflorum was found in March, while the yield of Hunter River and Haifa were highest in June, and the yield of C. intybus was similar between March and June, and these four forages intercropping in pear orchard together provided the rational nutrition supplies for livestock. The intercropping forages in pear orchard greatly increased the soil pH value, organic matter content and hydrolytic N at 0-20 cm soil layer, which would encourage pear trees to grow well.