On-farm plant breeding for wheat-faba bean intercropping for organic farming

Summary

A six-year experiment investigated whether wheat and faba bean co-evolve when repeatedly grown together and whether this improves their interactions. Although poor climatic conditions in the final year resulted in very low yields and no significant yield differences, several changes in plant traits were observed. Wheat previously grown with faba bean was taller, while long-term association affected ground cover in both wheat landraces and faba bean. The results indicate that repeated intercropping over several years can modify plant traits, particularly ground cover, suggesting adaptation to long-term crop association.