Abstract: Cereal-legume intercropping is one of the main intercropping systems in traditional agriculture. With the rapid development of science and technology and the huge demands of grain production, scientists have further explored the mechanisms underlying crop yield and nitrogen utilizationadvantages of this typical intercropping system. We summarized the main research results of crop yield and nitrogen utilization in cereal-legume intercropping systems in the pastdecade. The effective mechanisms of intercropping promoting crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency were discussed from the perspectives of spatiotemporal niche, interspecific competition, root system interaction, and crop species. At last, we proposed that studies on the mechanization and intelligence in the whole season and rhizosphere soil microbial community should be strengthened in the cereallegume intercropping systems. This review would provide a reference for further research and application of cereal-legume intercropping systems.

Key words: intercropping system, crop yield, nitrogen uptake, soil microorganism.