Effect of intercrops complexity on water uptake patterns in rubber plantations: Evidence from stable isotopes (C-H-O) analysis

Rubber monoculture plantations are expanding but may cause environmental problems, and rubber-based agroforestry can provide ways of more environmentally friendly rubber cultivation. The general objective of this study was to investigate plant soil water uptake in different rubber agroforestry systems with water stable isotopes ( δ 2 H and δ 18 O), and water use efficiency with leaf δ 13 C. We studied rubber trees in a monocultural plantation, and in three agroforestry systems which were mixed with (a) orange trees, (b) tea trees, and (c) both orange and tea trees, respectively. The results indicated that soil water content was enhanced in the agroforestry systems, especially for rubber-tea and rubber-orange-tea agroforesty systems. The soil water uptake of rubber trees varied seasonally, and exhibited significant different among the cultivation systems. Rubber trees in agroforestry systems seemingly absorb water from deeper soil horizons more than monocultural plantations. We also found that rubber trees adjusted their water source according to their growing stage: they increased their uptake of water from deeper soil horizons to meet water requirements during their leaf flushing stage. For the soil water uptake of intercrops, we found that they use a shallow soil horizon as their primary source of water uptake, with little seasonal variation in vertical water extraction patterns. Changes in leaf δ 13 C values indicate that rubber trees adjusted their water use efficiency seasonally, which helps to cope with seasonal drought and growth requirements. However, neither intercrops nor rubber trees’ δ 13 C values differ with sites, indicating that intercropping has little influence on intercrops and rubber trees’ water supply. In conclusion, rubber trees have a flexible water use strategy, as intercropping shaped the soil water uptake patterns of rubber trees without apparent consequences on water use efficiency. These findings provide valuable insights into agroforestry systems’ interspecific water use patterns that can help intercrop selection for rubber agroforestry systems in this region. • Plant water use in rubber monoculture (RM) and agroforestry systems (AFS) were identified. • Intercropping with tea is a better choice for decreasing plant water limitation than orange; • Intercrop plants cause rubber trees in AFSs to use more water from deeper soil layers than RM. • Constructing multi-strata rubber AFSs optimizes plant water use strategies of involved species.