Long-Term Maize Intercropping with Peanut and Phosphorus Application Maintains Sustainable Farmland Productivity by Improving Soil Aggregate Stability and P Availability

1. Introduction

Global agricultural systems are facing major challenges in meeting the needs of the increasing global population [1,2]. Current global agriculture is based on monoculture and excessive fertilizer input, which have led to soil degradation, soil nutrient depletion, and an increase in pathogenic microorganisms, together resulting in crop yield instability [3]. Therefore, appropriate field management is essential to increase species diversity and restore degraded soil functions, ensuring the sustainable development of crop productivity [4,5]. In this regard, intercropping is a globally recognized model for sustainable agricultural development [5,6].

Intercropping of maize-fava bean (Vicia fava L.) increases species diversity and microbial communities [7]. It also enhances nutrient utilization efficiency and contributes to soil sustainability [8,9]. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated that intercropped crops exhibit higher root biomass and root length density compared to monocultures. The intertwining roots improve crop root attachment to the soil, increase microbial activity, and accelerate the transition from microaggregates to macroaggregates [10,11,12]. Macroaggregates play a crucial role in physically protecting soil compounds from biodegradation and erosion, as well as retaining significant amounts of carbon (C) and phosphorus (P), ultimately leading to higher crop yields and efficiency [13,14]. Li et al. [5] reported a 22.3% increase in crop yield in intercropped systems compared to matched monocultures in northwest China, with greater year-to-year stability. Furthermore, intercropping maize with pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) in Eastern and Southern Africa has resulted in up to a 35% increase in maize yield [15]. Similarly, intercropping with cowpea (Vigna sinensis L.) in India enhances the yield of the current crop and boosts the yield of subsequent winter wheat [16]. In the North China Plain, our previous research has shown that intercropping maize and peanut (M||P) offers significant yield advantages, attributed to positive aboveground and belowground interspecific interactions influencing crop plant growth [17,18]. These mechanisms may involve enhancing iron and nitrogen reciprocity between maize and peanut [19] and weak light absorption and utilization by peanut [20,21], along with strong light utilization by maize [17]. However, whether long-term M||P can sustainably increase the yield of subsequent crops remains unclear.

Soil aggregates are the basic unit of soil structure. The fractions and stability play an essential role in the conversion of soil material and capacity [22], which are affected by soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration, fertilization, and planting patterns [14,23,24]. Maize-pigeon pea intercropping enhances soil macroaggregate fractions and organic phosphorus storage [14]. Faba bean-maize intercropping alters soil microbial community composition and further facilitates soil aggregation [25], facilitating the conversion of insoluble soil P sources to soluble P sources [26], thus providing a slow but continuous source of P for crops [27]. Millet (Setaria italica L.)-peanut intercropping system increases macroaggregates (>2 mm), improves aggregate stability, and enhances SOC and N concentrations in aggregates [12]. However, whether long-term M||P can increase SOC, thereby improving soil aggregate stability and nutrient availability, merits further study.

Numerous studies have attempted to demonstrate the effects of intercropping and fertilization on soil aggregate stability and nutrients but the results have been inconsistent [27,28,29]. Roohi et al. [30] showed that intercropping maize with cowpea and balanced fertilization increased soil macroaggregate proportions and enhanced soil stability. This resulted in an increased carbon sequestration rate and improved crop production potential. In another study, wheat–maize–soybean relay strip intercropping maintained soil fertility and increased both soil macroaggregate stability and microbial diversity when straw incorporation and N input were considered [31]. In contrast, Chai et al. [32] reported that 22 years of continuous chemical fertilizer application significantly decreased macroaggregate fractions but did not increase macroaggregate formation [33]. Liu [34] reported that although intercropping increased water-stable macroaggregates (>2 mm), its interaction with P fertilizer did not significantly increase the proportion of soil water-stable macroaggregates. Therefore, the effects of M||P and P application on aggregate fractions and stability need to be studied further.

M||P played an important role in alleviating conflict between grain and oil crops in China, exerting significant intercropping advantages [19,35]. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how intercropping affects soil aggregate fractions and stability, as well as the concentration of C and P in these aggregate fractions, and how these factors relate to farmland productivity in the North China Plain. This investigation was conducted through an 11-year M||P field experiment with two levels of P fertilizer application. Our initial hypotheses were as follows: compared to those of the respective single crops (i) long-term M||P increases SOC concentration and fractions of macroaggregates, improves aggregate stability in topsoil; (ii) intercropping and P application boost TP and AP concentration in macroaggregates, enhance soil P availability, and so (iii) long-term M||P can maintain sustainable farmland productivity (Figure 1).

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Experimental Site

A long-term M||P and P application field experiment was conducted in Luoyang, Henan Province, China (33°35’ N, 111°8’E). This area has a temperate continental monsoon climate, with an annual average temperature of approximately 12.7℃. The average annual radiation is approximately 492 kJ cm⁻², the average annual precipitation is 650 mm, the average sunshine is 2,200–2,300 h, and the frost-free period is 180–200 d. The soil in the experimental site is fluvo-aquic, with sand, loam, and clay accounting for 28%, 50%, and 22%, respectively. At the beginning of the experiment in 2010, soil characteristics of the 0–20 cm topsoil layer were measured by standard methods [36] and were as follows: pH, 7.33; organic C, 10.7 g·kg⁻¹; total N, 1.20 g·kg⁻¹; total P, 0.75 g·kg⁻¹; available N, 79.9 mg·kg⁻¹; available P, 11.6 mg·kg⁻¹; available K, 223.8 mg·kg⁻¹; and bulk density, 1.35 g·cm⁻³.

2.2. Experimental Design

We used cultivars (cv.) commonly grown by local farmers, namely maize cv. Zhengdan 958, and peanut cv. Huayu16. The field experimental design was a completely randomized block trial with three replicates, three crop systems, and two P fertilizer treatments each year from 2010 to 2022. The crop systems were as follows: maize intercropped with peanuts (two rows of maize intercropped with four rows of peanuts, M||P), sole-crop peanut (SP), and sole-crop maize (SM). In the intercropping system, intercropped maize (IM) was planted in wide-narrow rows with row spacing of 1.6 m and 0.4 m, respectively; plant spacing within the row was 0.2 m. Intercropped peanut (IP) was planted in wide rows with row spacing of 0.3 m; plant spacing within the row was 0.2 m. The distance between adjacent maize and peanut rows was 0.35 m. The planting densities of IM and IP were 50,000 plants·ha⁻¹ and 100,000 plants·ha⁻¹, respectively. In sole cropping, for peanuts, the row spacing was 0.3 m and plants were spaced 0.2 m within the row, with a density of 166,667 holes·ha⁻¹. For maize, the row spacing was 0.6 m and plant spacing was 0.25 m within the row, with a density of 66,667 plants·ha⁻¹. Maize and peanut were sown simultaneously in early June and harvested simultaneously in early October. The field plots received 90 kg N·ha⁻¹ as urea before peanut sowing and 90 kg N·ha⁻¹ as urea as a furrow dressing for maize at the sixth-leaf stage. The two P application levels were 0 kg P₂O₅·ha⁻¹ (P₀) and 180 kg P₂O₅·ha⁻¹ (P₁₈₀) as diammonium phosphate before crop sowing from 2010 to 2022.

To assess the long-term sustainability of M||P intercropping in maintaining farmland productivity, winter wheat was planted following maize and peanut harvests between 2018 and 2022. The winter wheat cv. Luomai 26 was planted using semi-precise mechanical seeding in mid-October and harvested in early June. The seeding rate was 150 kg·ha⁻¹ with a row spacing of 0.2 m. Weed and pest control followed standard field production practices and spray irrigation was applied annually, aligning with crop demand and local practices in response to soil moisture shortages. All treatments received 180 kg N·ha⁻¹ in the form of urea, and prior to sowing winter wheat each year, two P application levels were utilized: P₀ and P₁₈₀, both in the form of diammonium phosphate.

2.3. Soil Sampling

Soil samples were collected from plots on April 14, 2020, and were taken down to a depth of 20 cm using an auger (10 cm in diameter). In addition, in the previous crop of the intercropping system, soil samples were collected according to the strips of peanut and maize intercropping. Soil samples were broken into 10–12 mm diameter blocks according to their natural structure. Stones and plant residue were removed from the soil. All soil samples were divided into three subsamples. First subsample was air-dried and passed through a 2 mm mesh sieve for analysis of chemical properties; the second subsample was air-dried and passed through a 10 mm sieve to investigate aggregate fractions, the third sample was air dried for the determination of SOC, total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), and inorganic phosphorus concentration in topsoil.

2.4. Determination of Soil Aggregate

Soil water-stable aggregates were measured using the wet sieving method [37] and separated into six sizes: (1) huge macroaggregates (> 2 mm), (2) large macroaggregates (2–1 mm; it should be noted that “macroaggregates” is used to represent aggregates >1 mm further in the text), (3) small macroaggregates (1–0.5 mm), (4) microaggregates (0.5–0.25 mm), and (5–6) silt and clay (0.25–0.053 mm and < 0.053 mm, respectively). The aggregate fractions were dried at 105℃ in a vacuum oven for 24 h and the weights of the aggregate fractions were recorded.

Soil mechanical aggregates were measured using the dry-sieving method [38] and were separated into five sizes: (1) huge macroaggregates (> 2 mm), (2) large macroaggregates (2–1 mm; it should be noted that further in the text “macroaggregates” is used to represent aggregates >1 mm), (3) small macroaggregates (1–0.5 mm), (4) microaggregates (0.5–0.25 mm), and (5) silt and clay (< 0.25 mm). To determine the SOC, TP, AP, and inorganic phosphorus concentration in aggregate fractions, aggregates of each particle size were air-dried.

2.5. Soil Chemical Property Analysis

The SOC was determined by H₂SO₄-K₂CrO₇; TN was determined by the Kjeldah method; soil pH was determined after shaking the soil water (1:2.5, w/v) suspension for 30 min; TP, AP, and inorganic P were determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry [36].

2.6. Determination of Crop Yields

At the harvest stage of SM, IM, SP, IP, and winter wheat, the yields of five- meter double-row peanut, maize, and winter wheat were measured randomly with three replicates. After air-drying, the weights of maize, peanut, and wheat were measured, respectively. Meanwhile, the straw in each plot was crushed in situ and returned to the field.

2.7. Calculations

2.7.1. Stability Index of Soil Aggregates

The mean weight diameter (MWD: mm), geometric mean diameter (GMD: mm), unstable aggregate index (E_LT), and percentage of aggregation destruction (PAD) were used to quantify soil aggregate stability [39,40]. The specific formulae are as follows:

Nutrient contribution rate of aggregate fractions (%) = [nutrient concentration of the aggregate fraction (g·kg⁻¹) × proportion of the aggregate fraction (%) / soil nutrient concentration] × 100, (1)

WR_0.25 = W_S>0.25 / W_S × 100%,

(2)

DR_0.25 = M_r>0.25 / M_r × 100%,

(3)

E_LT = (W_S - WR_0.25) / W_T × 100%,

(4)

PAD = (DR_0.25 - WR_0.25) / DR_0.25 × 100%,

(5)

$$\mathrm{MWD}={\sum }_{i=1}^{n=6}{\mathrm{W}}_{\dot{\mathrm{i}}}{\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{i}},$$

(6)

and

$$\mathrm{GMD}=\exp \left[\frac{{\Sigma }_{i=1}^{n=6}{\mathrm{W}}_{\dot{\mathrm{i}}}{\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{i}}}{{\Sigma }_{i=1}^{n=6}{\mathrm{W}}_{\dot{\mathrm{I}}}}\right]$$

(7)

where DR_0.25 (%) is the proportion of mechanical aggregates > 0.25 mm and WR_0.25 (%) is the proportion of water-stable aggregates > 0.25 mm. W_S>0.25 (g) and W_S (g) are the fractions weights of water-stable aggregates > 0.25 mm and the sum of weights of each water-stable aggregate fraction, respectively. M_r>0.25 (g) and M_r (g) are the fraction weights of mechanically stable aggregates > 0.25 mm and the sum of weights of each mechanically stable aggregate fraction, respectively. Each of the six classes of diameters (i = 1–6), X_i (mm), and W_i (%) are the mean diameter and proportion of each size fraction of water-stable aggregates, respectively.

2.7.2. Land Equivalent Ratio

The intercropping advantage is measured by the land equivalent ratio (LER) [41]. The specific formula is as follows:

$$\mathrm{LER}=\frac{Y_{IM}}{Y_{SM}}$$

(8)

where Y_IM and Y_SM are the actual yields of the intercropped and sole-crop maize, respectively, and Y_IP and Y_SP are the actual yields of the intercropped and sole-crop peanuts, respectively.

2.8. Statistical Analyses

All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (version 24.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and AMOS (version 23.0; Chicago, IL, USA). The figures were prepared using Excel 2019 (Microsoft Corporation, Washington, USA). The effects of different planting patterns and P application on SOC and soil nutrient concentration in aggregates, proportion of aggregate size fraction, and aggregate stability were evaluated using one-way and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (the normal distribution and homogeneity of variance of the data were checked). Pearson correlation analysis was employed to assess correlations. Treatment means were separated using Duncan’s test at a 0.05 probability level. To examine the relationship between soil physicochemical properties and productivity, we conducted confirmatory factor analysis using the maximum likelihood method to construct a path model within the framework of structural equation modeling (SEM), aligning with our main objectives.

3. Results

3.1. Effects of Long-Term M||P and P Application on the Proportion and Stability of Aggregates

The proportion of mechanical macroaggregates (>1 mm) was significantly greater (P<0.05) in intercropped (IM) plots compared to sole maize (SM) and intercropped (IP) plots compared to sole peanut (SP) plots, with increases of 7.6–13.7% and 8.6–16.3%, respectively (Figure 2A). In IM, the proportions of water-stable macroaggregates (>1 mm) (21.3–36.1%) and small macroaggregates (1–0.5 mm) (14.1–14.3%) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than in SM (Figure 2B). In IP, the proportions of water-stable macroaggregates (>1 mm) (13.8–26.6%), small macroaggregates (1–0.5 mm) (36.6–59.4%), and microaggregates (0.5–0.25 mm) (12.0–14.9%) were significantly greater (P<0.05) than those in SP (Figure 2B). Under P application, intercropping significantly increased the proportions of mechanical macroaggregates (>1 mm) and water-stable macroaggregates (>0.5 mm) compared to SP and SM (Figure 2). Long-term M||P significantly increased DR_0.25, WR_0.25, MWD, and GMD compared with those of the respective single crops, but significantly decreased (P<0.05) E_LT and PAD (Table 1). P application had a positive effect on these results, which also significantly increased the stability of soil aggregates.

3.2. Effects of Long-Term M||P and P Application on Concentration and Contribution Rates of SOC in Aggregates

The SOC concentration in macroaggregates (>2 mm) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the intercropped than that for the SP and SM, increased by 39.9% and 12.9%, respectively (Figure. 3A). The P application significantly increased (P<0.05) the SOC concentration in each aggregate fraction in the M||P system compared with their matched monocultures (Figure. 3A). The contribution rate of SOC in macroaggregates (>1 mm) was greater (P<0.05) in intercropped than that for the SP and SM, increased by 4.1–47.9% and 17.7–17.8%, respectively (Figure. 3B). Compared with the respective single crops, the contribution rate of SOC in macroaggregates (>1 mm) significantly increased (P<0.05) for the IP (16.9%) and IM (15.9%) with the P₁₈₀ application (Figure. 3B).

3.3. Effects of Long-Term M||P and P Application on Organic C and Nutrients

The TP concentration in macroaggregates (>1 mm) was greater (P<0.05) in intercropped compared to that for the SM and SP, increased by 7.6–12.9% and 5.1–12.2%, respectively (Table 2). Long-term M||P and P application significantly increased the AP concentration in each aggregate fraction (Table 2). IM and IP significantly increased (P<0.05) SOC, TP, and AP concentration by, 23.7%, 8.3%, and 36.2%and7.5%, 8.3%, and 22.1%, respectively, compared with those of the respective single crops (Table 3). The interaction between P application and M||P significantly increased SOC (32.7–52.7%), TP (3.8–8.7%), and AP (37.7–51.0%) concentrations, with all differences being statistically significant (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the topsoil TN concentration among the treatments. Compared to their respective monocultures, IP increased Ca₈-P, O-P, and Ca₁₀-P concentrations and decreased Ca₂-P, Al-P, and Fe–P concentrations, whereas IM increased Ca₂-P, Ca₈-P, Al-P, and Fe-P concentrations and decreased O-P and Ca₁₀-P concentrations. P₁₈₀ significantly increased Ca₂-P, Ca₈-P, Al-P, and Fe-P concentrations under different planting methods compared to P₀. Long-term intercropping significantly reduced the pH of alkaline soil (Table 3).

3.4. Effects of Long-Term M||P and P Application on Farmland Productivity

In 2018–2022, the LER in intercropping ranged from 1.28–1.46, with an average of 1.33 (Table 4). The subsequent winter wheat yield (13.4–56.68%) of M||P stubble was higher (P<0.05) than that of SM stubble. P₁₈₀ significantly increased (P<0.05) subsequent winter wheat yields in M||P stubble by 12.6–38.1% compared to P₀. The annual crop yield of the M||P-W (A multiple cropping system in which M||P was harvested and then wheat was planted in a year) exceeded that of the SP-W (A multiple cropping system in which SP was harvested and then wheat was planted in a year) and SM-W (A multiple cropping system in which SM was harvested and then wheat was planted in a year) systems, with significant increases of 27.5–74.7% and 10.3–41.6% (P<0.05), respectively. The increase in annual yield was greater in the M||P-W system under P application (Table 4).

3.5. Relationships between Farmland Productivity and Soil Physical and Chemical Properties

An SEM was established based on known influencing factors (SOC, WR_0.25 PAD, TN, pH, and AP) and key drivers (intercropping and P application) to clarify the effects of intercropping and P application on topsoil physical and chemical properties, crop productivity, and their correlation. The SEM showed that SOC indirectly affected productivity through WR_0.25 (0.65), PAD (-0.18), TN (-0.35), pH (0.60), and AP (0.19), whereas TN (0.29) and AP (0.69) directly affected productivity. WR_0.25 had a positive feedback effect on TN (0.81) and pH (0.63) and a negative feedback effect on PAD (-0.82). The PAD indirectly affected productivity through pH (0.53) and AP (-0.34), and pH indirectly affected productivity through TN (0.61) (Figure 4).

4. Discussion

4.1. Long-term M||P and P Application Strengthened the Soil Aggregate Stability, Increased the Topsoil SOC Concentration in Macroaggregates

Planting patterns and agricultural practices, such as fertilization, influence soil aggregate stability and SOC concentration [14,29]. In this study, long-term M||P significantly increased SOC concentration in macroaggregates, developed the proportion of mechanical and water-stable macroaggregates, and had a strong positive effect on soil aggregation (Figure 2 and Figure 3). These findings support our first hypothesis and are consistent with previous studies [5,31,42]. Intercropping is an important cultivation method that increases C input by increasing aggregate stability [24,28], which can improve organic matter persistence in agricultural soils by maximizing biodiversity [4], improving aboveground productivity and underground biomass, strengthening interspecific edge effects [43], changing the soil microbial community structure, reducing pathogenic bacteria, and increasing plant rhizosphere vitality, all of which are conducive to soil C sequestration and storage [11]. Intercropping of sugarcane with other crops increases organic C sources that can replenish organic C in aggregates directly, with organic C encapsulated in aggregates or existing in pores in the form of particles, which reduces organic C decomposition [44]. Studies have shown that long-term faba bean-maize intercropping can improve the microbial community structure in crop rhizosphere soil, increase fungal biomass, and stimulate microorganisms to release cementing substances [25]. These cementing substances, released by microbial communities, play a crucial role in soil structure development by binding primary soil particles into larger aggregates [45]. Soil macroaggregates are composed of microaggregates and organic matter, so an increase in macroaggregates results in a gradual rise in soil organic carbon [46]. However, Zhou et al. [47] demonstrated that intercropping could increase soil microaggregate fractions and reduce soil aggregate mean weight diameter (MWD), while Peng et al. [12] found no significant difference in the proportion of aggregates between sole cropping and intercropping. Some studies suggest that as plant diversity increases, litter decomposition rates become slower than input rates, which can increase total soil organic carbon (SOC) while reducing the soil’s active carbon pool [48]. Importantly, the formation of soil aggregates and changes in SOC are long-term and gradual processes. Factors such as test duration, soil type, crop type, and climatic conditions can significantly influence research outcomes [5,25].

In addition to the direct effects of intercropping, P application significantly influenced aggregate-associated C and aggregate stability. Fertilizer type and planting pattern influence both the degree of soil aggregation and the fate of C stability in agroecosystems [49,50]. This study concludes that P application significantly increased aggregate stability and SOC concentration (Table 1, 3 Figure. 3A). The results align with the findings of Prakash et al. and Bansal et al. [51,52], who also observed that P application promotes soil enzyme activity and enhances SOC concentration [51,53]. Phosphate fertilizer application fosters crop growth and development and substantially increases crop biomass and soil microbial biomass C, thus contributing to soil C sequestration [53] (Mahmoud et al. 2019). Moreover, P fertilizer can enhance C sequestration by stimulating microbial activity and root biomass, thereby promoting the formation of soil aggregates [54,55]. In cases of low-P soils, the appropriate application of P fertilizer can result in increased SOC and nitrogen storage and the development of macroaggregates (> 2 mm) [52]. In high-P soils, rhizosphere interactions in intercropping systems can enhance soil aggregation and boost C sequestration. These effects are primarily driven by physical root contact, with secondary contributions from biochemical activities [14].

4.2. Long-term M||P and P Application Improved Topsoil TP and AP Concentration in Aggregate Fractions

P is an important component of fertilizers and an essential nutrient for crop growth [53]. However, most P is consolidated and precipitated in the soil, where it combines with other phosphates to form P with low solubility. Crops can only absorb and use a small amount of P [56]. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the effectiveness of increasing soil P and reducing P fertilizer application. In this study, the TP concentration in macroaggregates (>1 mm) and AP concentration in each aggregate fraction were significantly higher in the long-term M||P system compared with their matched monocultures (Table 2). This supports our second hypothesis and corroborates other studies that show the ability of maize and leguminous intercropping to improve soil P availability [57,58]. This could be because intercropping can improve soil structure and increase soil macroaggregates [14] (Garland et al. 2017), which can protect the soil from degradation and erosion, thereby increasing soil C and P concentrations [59,60]. These findings are supported by our research (Table 1, 2, 3; Figure 2, 3). This is a positive result because it suggests that the maize-peanut intercropping system has a high potential for increasing both the use and storage of P in the form of increased large aggregates, which has been suggested to reduce P pool losses by improving soil structure stability [14].

We also observed a significant decrease in soil pH for M||P (Table 3). The changes in TP and AP were the opposite of those in pH. Soil acidification may be associated with increased soil P availability. The SEM revealed that soil acidification can directly affect total N concentration, thereby indirectly affecting available P (Figure. 4). Most previous studies on cereal legume intercrops found that legumes increased P acquisition via the nitrogen fixation process by releasing a large amount of H⁺, which activates insoluble P in the soil [61,62,63]; this results in the release of more insoluble P nutrients and accumulation in soil, ultimately increasing P availability [26], which promotes the conversion of species lacking P mobilization traits into those with P mobilization traits [64,65], increases P availability, and consequently reduces P fertilizer application [66]. Moreover, interspecific interactions and P application increased the efficacy of soil P. This is consistent with the results of previous studies [65,67]. Thus, agricultural management practices like intercropping and fertilization change the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil, which has a direct impact on system sustainability and crop performance [5,31]. However, the effects of M||P and P application on P availability are inconsistent and may be influenced by factors such as enzyme activity, microorganisms, water, and soil nutrients, which require further research.

4.3. Long-term M||P and P Application Could Maintain Sustainable Farmland Productivity

A well-designed intercropping system can improve the farmland biodiversity and ecological environment [25,68], and is an important planting method for high-yield crop cultivation and sustainable agricultural development [66]. This study showed that long-term M||P and P application not only ensured the yield of IM (high crop), but also reduced the yield reduction margin of IP (low crop). Further, LER of M||P was higher than one, and M||P stubble improved the yield of subsequent winter wheat compared with SM stubble (Table 4). Intercropping may increase crop diversity, improve aboveground productivity and underground biomass, and increase litter inputs and soil C sequestration [68,69,70]. Long-term intercropping with leguminous crops may also produce N and C sources in the soil from their residues, which can benefit the subsequent growth of wheat and thus significantly increase crop yields [6]. Other intercropping studies found that the proportion of soil macroaggregates increased with an increase in the soil C pool, and the soil structure became more stable [14], thus improving the soil nutrient concentration and P utilization efficiency, and achieving high crop yield and efficiency [4,71,72]. A previous study found that soil macroaggregate formation increases soil fertility by improving water infiltration and nutrient cycling and by reducing soil erosion, which ultimately leads to increased yield [4,5]. The structural equation used in this study validated these findings (Figure. 4).

Therefore, we concentrated on investigating the effect of intercropping on soil macroaggregates and found that intercropping significantly increased the proportion of macroaggregates and the stability of soil aggregates when compared to those of monocultures under the same fertilization conditions (Table 1, Figure 2). Soil nutrient availability increased significantly with an increase in large aggregates, contributing to an increase in productivity (Table 2). Thus, macroaggregates produced by intercropping may be a mechanism driving long-term increases in yield [5,11,73]. Here, we demonstrate that switching from conventional monocultures to intercropping and the application of phosphate fertilizer can improve soil structural stability, promote SOC sequestration and P sustainability, and ensure optimum crop yield of current and future crops.

5. Conclusions

The present study revealed that 11 years of M||P shows obvious intercropping advantages and increases the yield of subsequent winter wheat with sustainable farmland productivity by increasing SOC and macroaggregate fractions, improving aggregate stability, promoting the conversion of non-directly available P sources to directly available P sources in the soil, and enhancing soil P availability. Moreover, P application augmented the concentration of SOC, TP, and AP in macroaggregates, resulting in improved crop yields. This was because M||P and P application developed SOC concentration in macroaggregates increased the proportion and stability of mechanical and water-stable macroaggregates, and enhanced P availability. These results provide reasonable planting patterns and theoretical basis for maintaining sustainable farmland productivity in North China Plain.

Authors’ contributions: Nianyuan Jiao contributed to the conception and design of the trial. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Zhiman Zan and Nianyuan Jiao. The draft of the manuscript was written by Zhiman Zan. Ren Tian Ma, Yun Wang, and Jiangtao Wang provided guidance for index measurement methods. Wenfeng Cong and Xupeng Zhao revised the structure of the manuscript. Ling Liu, Tangyuan Ning, and Bin Zheng provided guidance for the graphs in the manuscript. All the authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.