Principles of design of intercropping (ReMIX Practice abstract)

Outcome Tracking farmers’ innovations to: - reveal the diversity of mixtures cultivated - show links between objectives and practices - develop this practice. Practical recommendations - Intercropping can increase resource use efficiency (light, nitrogen, water, etc.): choose species/cultivars with complementary temporal patterns, morphological and functional traits (height, habit, root system, etc.) - Facilitating harvest and reducing losses: choose species/cultivars with robust stems to prevent the lodging of the associated crop (e.g. Barley-pea, camelina-lentil) - Ensuring that at least one species is always harvested: choose species/cultivars with complementary growth requirements and sensitivities (diseases, insects, extreme weather, ripening dates, etc.) (e.g. Faba bean-wheat) - Harvesting a supplementary crop, achieving two crop cycles in one year: choose species with different life cycles to be sown simultaneously and harvested separately (e.g. Rapeseed-buckwheat) Practical testing/ Farmers’ experiences Tracking farmers’ innovations revealed different practices and sub-objectives with the aim of 1) increasing yield and stability, 2) controlling weeds and 3) increasing nitrogen supply in the cropping systems and then nitrogen self-sufficiency.