To develop an efficient and low-emission intercropping system, based on a field experiment conducted from March 2024 to March 2025, the input-output analysis and static chamber method were used to compare the productivity and soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between a single-row rubber monocultural system (SR) and a double-row rubber intercropping system with arrowroot (DR-M). The results indicated that: 1) There was no significant difference in rubber tree biomass increment (14.43-19.27 t/hm²) between the two planting patterns (P>0.05). The yield (fresh weight) and biomass (dry weight) of arrowroot per unit rubber plantation area were 12.24 t/hm² and 7.16 t/hm², respectively. The additional net profit increased approximately 37 800 CNY/hm², which effectively enhanced the economic returns of the rubber plantation during the immature stage. 2) Compared with SR (45.35 t/hm²), the cumulative soil CO₂ emissions from DR-M (42.60 t/hm²) showed no significant difference (P>0.05). In contrast, N₂O emission was significantly lower in both the intercropped (8.94 kg/hm²) and non-intercropped plots (9.65 kg/hm²), as well as during both the wet (7.61 kg/hm²) and dry season (1.71 kg/hm²). The cumulative N₂O emission from DR-M was 9.32 kg/hm², which was 62.57% lower than that from SR (P<0.05). 3) Soil CO₂ emission flux was significantly positively correlated with soil temperature, water-filled pore space (WFPS), and ammonium nitrogen content (P<0.05), while soil N₂O emission flux was significantly positively correlated with WFPS (P<0.05). The reduction in soil GHG emissions under the DR-M system could be attributed to a decrease in soil WFPS, thereby shifting the dominant N2O production process and consequently lowering emissions. In conclusion, compared with SR, DR-M can significantly improve the economic benefits of the rubber plantation while simultaneously reducing soil GHG emissions, especially N₂O. It represents a viable intercropping system for Hainan that balances understory economic development with GHG emission reduction goals. Although soil GHG emissions from the double-row rubber plantation have been preliminarily quantified and analyzed, the underlying driving mechanisms and comprehensive mitigation effects still require further in-depth investigation.
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