Growing as much crop biomass as possible in the shortest possible time is the target for most bio-energy producers. However, according to the requirements of the Green Deal, the consumption of fertilizers and crop protection products will have to be significantly reduced between 2023 and 2027. In order to meet all the necessary conditions for the production of biomass, a stationary field experiment was carried out at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania, in 2020–2021. Multi-cultivations of maize, hemp and faba bean were investigated. The aim of this study was to ascertain the impact of multi-cropping intensity on soil structural composition, stability, penetration resistance and gas concentration–respiration. As expected, multi-cropping stabilized the gas concentration and emission from the soil and decreased the proportion of micro-structures in the top soil layers. However, the stability of the soil decreased in all the experimental plots. Gas concentration and respiration mainly depended on soil structural composition, temperature and moisture content. The results of the experiment suggest performing investigations at a long-term scale because the intensive variation of meteorological conditions had a higher impact on the soil properties than the multi-cropping systems.

The investigations were carried out at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy, in 2021. The soil of the experimental site is silty light loam Planosol. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of multi-cropping intensity on the prevalence and damage of diseases and pests, as well as on weed abundance and biomass. The methods of crop diversification were studied: 1. Maize mono-crop (KU);2. Hemp mono-crop (KA);3. Faba bean mono-crop (PU);4. Maize and hemp binary-crop (KU + KA);5. Maize and faba bean binary-crop (KU + PU);6. Hemp and faba bean binary-crop (KA + PU);7. Maize, hemp and faba bean ternary-crop (KU + KA + PU). Contrary to expectations, the number of pests found in the hemp mono-crop (KA) and faba bean mono-crop (PU) was lower and the damage caused was lower than in the binary and ternary crops. Crop diversification has been an effective method of controlling faba bean diseases. The lowest abundance and intensity of Botrytis fabae and Ascochyta fabae were found in hemp and faba bean binary-crop (KA + PU). Binary maize and faba bean crop (KU + PU) were most effective in weed controlling, with the lowest number and biomass of weeds.