Abstract: Dynamic effect of intercropping Trifolium repens Linn. in tea plantation on spatial and temporal variation of soil temperature in the subtropical hilly region was studied. Results showed that soil temperature presented distinct character of spatial and temporal variation and hysteresis. As the intercropping of Trifolium repens had changed the nature of soil thermal exchange layer, e.g. soil surface, the daily soil temperature difference in the different soil layers had been decreased and stabilized when the temperature changed. The Trifolium repens Linn. covering showed a significant effect on surface soil temperature and in the noon time. The effect of Trifolium repens covering on lowing the soil temperature was most significant and on keeping temperature was moderate and on increasing the temperature was minimum. The more soil temperature decreased, the more air temperature increased. However, the effect on lowing and keeping temperature showed the same tendency as the air temperature decreased. The emergence of harmful high temperature in intercropping tea plantation was less than that in general treatment. Therefore, the intercropping of Trifolium repens Linn. in tea plantation could enhance the ability of ecosystem self-adjustment and improve the tea quality and yield.

Key words: Soil temperature, Soil temperature, Intercropping of Trifolium repens Linn., Spatial and temporal variation, Tea quality and yield