Grain Yield Stability of Cereal-Legume Intercrops Is Greater Than Sole Crops in More Productive Conditions

Abstract

The intercropping of two or more crop species on the same piece of land at a given time has been hypothesized to enhance crop yield stability. To address this hypothesis, we assessed the grain yield stability of various barley-pea and wheat-faba bean mixtures grown in seven experimental field trials (locations) across Europe during two years with contrasting weather (2017 and 2018). Three different yield stability measures were used, all based on the expected yield variability of the mixture components grown as sole crops, and the corresponding observed yield variability of the same components grown in 50:50 mixtures in a replacement design. Stability indices were calculated as ratios between the expected and observed variabilities, with values > 1 indicating greater stability of the intercrops. Mean grain yields tended to be higher in intercrops than sole crops. However, in contrast to our hypothesis, the observed (intercrop) yield stability was similar or lower than the expected (sole crop) stability in most locations except one. Furthermore, yield stability significantly increased with increasing mean yields when assessed across differentially productive locations. The results are relevant for the designing of intercropping systems as a means to increase yield stability and the resilience of cropping systems.

Intercropping Vicia sativa L. Improves the Moisture, Microbial Community, Enzyme Activity and Nutrient in Rhizosphere Soils of Young Kiwifruit Plants and Enhances Plant Growth

“…Intercropping, a widely used agricultural practice, can enhance the moisture, fertility, and structure of rhizosphere soils and weed suppression, thereby helping to improve soil quality, microflora, enzyme activity and so on, and promote the growth and development of plants and achieve a higher profitability [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Recently, orchard intercropping has been widely practiced, such as apple [13], grape [14], plum [15], olive [16], etc.…”

Supply Chain Perspectives on Breeding for Legume–Cereal Intercrops

“…The practice of intercropping legumes and cereals is predicted to drive the sustainable intensification of food supply chains ( Finckh, 2008 ; Finckh et al, 2021 ; Li et al, 2021a , b ). Compared with sole crops, intercrops have great potential to improve yields and enhance land use efficiency ( Yang et al, 2019 ; Li et al, 2020 , 2021a , b ; Weih et al, 2021 ). Additionally, legume–cereal intercrops can provide ecosystem services, such as (i) improved resource use efficiency ( Li et al, 2021b ; Zhang et al, 2021 ), particularly for nitrogen ( Jensen, 1996 ; Bedoussac and Justes, 2010a ; Naudin et al, 2010 ), (ii) greater biodiversity, including beneficial insects ( Brandmeier et al, 2021 ); (iii) pest and pathogen regulation ( Finckh and Wolfe, 2015 ; Zhang et al, 2019 ; Finckh et al, 2021 ); (iv) enhanced soil health ( Yang et al, 2019 ; Uwase et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ); and (v) healthy and nutritious food products ( Dwivedi et al, 2017 ).…”

A Comprehensive Approach to Evaluate Durum Wheat–Faba Bean Mixed Crop Performance

“…), which represent the major hurdles to increase grain legume cultivation, particularly in the Mediterranean countries ( Fernández-Aparicio et al, 2011 , 2016 ; Karkanis et al, 2018 ). Overall, intercropping is a reliable alternative to intensive agricultural systems, which rely upon pure crops, for lowering the environmental impacts of agriculture through reduced use of agrochemicals, increased biodiversity within cultivated fields, and enhanced ecosystem services while increasing the crop yield and ensuring stable production ( Malézieux et al, 2009 ; Bedoussac et al, 2015 ; Raseduzzaman and Jensen, 2017 ; Hawes et al, 2019 ; Weih et al, 2021 ).…”