Overview of intercropping practices in Europe
Problem
In intensive farming, monoculture is an efficient procedure but it has adverse effects on biodiversity, soil health and fertility.
Solution
Crop mixtures, like wheat-faba bean, can improve resource efficiency, yields and quality for low-input farming systems.
Outcome
In 11 different pedoclimatic regions, mixed cropping techniques aimed for targets, like improved feed or food quality, weed suppression or yield stability.
Practical recommendations
-The companion crop can be sown in advance or with the main crop.
-The seed can be broadcasted or drilled as a mixture, or in alternate rows, with the same or different depth. Consider lowering the drilling rate of the cereal; it’s a strong competitor.
-Choose varieties with a synchronous ripeness.
-Crop rows should match mechanical weed control. Chemical control is a challenge.
-The combine harvester must be adjusted to minimize threshing loss and damage to the pulse grains.
-Faba bean or peas mixed with a cereal, an intercrop example that produces mixed grain feed. It can also be harvested as a protein rich green roughage.
-The density of both crops will adapt to the growing conditions. Consider a variable product composition and protein content.
-Protein rich wheat is interesting for bakers. Also, a composed wheat-faba bean flour is suitable for bread baking!
Practical testing/ Farmers’ experiences
Wheat-faba bean or peas mixture controls weeds well and provides a good nitrogen use. Cereal-lentils mixtures were not always successful regarding harvestability and weed suppression. Sorting costs for mixed grains by a rotary cleaner, vibratory separator, gravity separator and optical sorter are estimated at 11, 11, 45 and 67 € per tonne per pass, respectively.
ReMIX - Redesigning European cropping systems based on species MIXtures
Ongoing | 2017-2021
- Main funding source
- Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- France