Intercropping to improve the nutritional quality of wheat under low-input conditions - IntercropVALUES Practice Abstract

Summary

Intercropping pea significantly increased the grain protein concentration of bread wheat compared to their sole crops. Cereal-legume intercropping elevates the nutritional density of wheat grain, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilisers while contributing to food and nutritional security.
Practical recommendations
• Seed bed preparation: the seed bed should not be too fine after cultivation.
• Varieties: select cultivars (cereal and grain legume) with the same maturity time taking the local seed costs and availability on the market into account.
• Sowing densities and machinery
o Mix the seeds 75% grain legume and 25% cereal (compared to the standard crop density of both crops) in the seed tank, check that the mixture is homogenous, and sow with a conventional seeder.
o Use the same row spacing as for cereals.
o Check matching seed depth and homogeneity of the mixture.
• Protein content: mixtures with different crop species increased protein content.
• Harvest: adjust the height of the harvester to pick up grain legumes close to the ground.
• Separate a part of your field before sowing and apply the mixture.
• Cultivate the rest of the field as usual and compare the intercrop to the sole crop cereals and/or legumes.
• Test this method under your own farm conditions. You can communicate your experience with us as well as with other farmers, advisors, and scientists.