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eISSN: 2083-5906
ISSN: 1230-1485
ISSN: 1230-1485
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Ryegrass-Maize Intercropping for Cadmium
Remediation: Efficacy and Mechanisms
1
Department of Ecological and Environmental Engineering, Shaanxi A&F Technology University,
Yangling 712100, China
2
Key Laboratory of Degraded and Unused Land Consolidation Engineering, the Ministry of Natural Resources,
Xi’an 710075, China
3
Technology Innovation Center for Land Engineering and Human Settlements, Shaanxi Land Engineering Construction
Group Co., Ltd, and Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
4
College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
Submission date: 2025-09-06
Final revision date: 2026-02-26
Acceptance date: 2026-03-15
Online publication date: 2026-07-02
Corresponding author
Bei Zhang
College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China, China
College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China, China
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Soil cadmium (Cd) pollution threatens agricultural sustainability and food security, necessitating
eco-friendly remediation strategies. This study evaluated the efficacy of intercropping annual ryegrass
with maize for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil in a 120-day experiment with triplicate pots
per treatment. Three treatments were applied: maize monoculture without Cd (CK), maize monoculture
with Cd (1.8 mg/kg, C1), and ryegrass-maize intercropping (1:2 row ratio) with Cd (C2). Results showed
that intercropping significantly reduced soil Cd content by 70%, surpassing monoculture maize (49.4%).
Maize grain Cd levels decreased to 0.07±0.01 mg/kg, with a 39% lower bioconcentration factor (BCF)
in C2 vs. C1. Ryegrass demonstrated a high cadmium translocation efficiency (translocation factor,
TF: 0.6-0.8), effectively reducing Cd bioavailability in the rhizosphere. Intercropping maintained
soil pH at 8.60 but decreased soil organic matter (SOM) by 19.5% and available phosphorus while
increasing total potassium. Soil microbial communities showed increased Actinobacteriota abundance,
though Cd stress reduced overall diversity. Enzyme activities (e.g., alkaline protease and urease)
increased, indicating enhanced nitrogen cycling. Statistical analyses (SPSS 26.0; ANOVA, LSD tests,
p<0.05) confirmed treatment effects. While nutrient competition requires management (e.g., tailored
fertilization), ryegrass-maize intercropping balances Cd remediation, crop safety, and soil functionality,
offering a practical framework for sustainable farmland management.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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| eISSN: | 2083-5906 |
| ISSN: | 1230-1485 |
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