5.Conclusions
Mulberry and alfalfa showed a strategic complementarity in the use of six types of carbon sources. Intercropping and nitrogen application changed the pH value and the soil water content both in mulberry and alfalfa rhizosphere soil and resulted in changes in the microbial community and in microbial growth, leading to different carbon use patterns and capability. There is mostly similar in rhizoshere soil microbial communities structure and function between mulberry intercropped with alfalfa without nitrogen application and mulberry monoculture with nitrogen application.