Overview of intercropping practices in Europe (ReMIX Practice abstract)

Summary

Outcome
In 11 different pedoclimatic regions, lots of mixed cropping techniques have aimed for a diversity of 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 is an example of an intercropping mixture 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 (artisan) 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.