Developing intercropping for increased resilience and functional biodiversity in organic crop production II

Intercropping may increase both the quantity and quality of yields, improve yield stability and promote biodiversity. At the same time, intercropping can enhance the adaptability of farming systems to changing conditions. This doctoral project seeks solutions to cultivation challenges that have limited the wider adoption of intercropping in organic production, particularly in northern regions.

In the field experiments, seven different crop species are cultivated in monocultures as well as in various cereal-legume-oilseed mixtures. The study focuses on yield quantity and quality, nitrogen dynamics, weeds as well as pests and their natural enemies in mixtures and pure stands.

The research project aims to diversify organic farming systems, enhance protein self-sufficiency and yield stability and increase both the quantity and quality of organic yields. In addition, the project is expected to help organic farmers manage weed and pest pressure, discover new and interesting crop species for their production and adapt their farming practices to changing conditions.