Workpackage 2: Agronomic performance and yield
stability
The main objectives of this Workpackage
are:
-
To determine the agronomic performance of
cereal-grain legume intercrops in different European agro-climatic
conditions in terms of yield advantage and stability of intercrops
compared to associated sole crops.
-
To determine the effects of soil fertility on
competitive interactions in intercrops.
-
To evaluate new intercropping designs.
In order to meet these objectives, the Workpackage is
divided in three sub-packages, each of them involving different partners as
well as requiring different methodology:
·
Workpackage 2.1 (Partners 5, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7):
A basic design of plot trial with sole crop and intercrops of spring pea and
spring barley has been established by all partners, which consists of a
total of 5 treatments x 4 replicates. Partner 1 has included undersowing (perennial
rye grass and white clover) and partner 7 has included more frequencies of
the intercrops. Partners 4 and 7 are performing experiments with the basic
design also as autumn established crops.
·
Workpackage 2.2 (Partners 5, 1, 3):
An experiment with spring fababean and spring wheat including two levels of
N fertility, the sole crops, and two IC (both replacement and additive
design) is planned to be performed in two years.
·
Workpackage 2.3 (Partners 7, 4):
An experiment with autumn establishment of four fababean-wheat intercrops (replacement
and additive) and associated sole crops is being performed by partner 7.
Partner 4 is conducting a winter pea-wheat replacement design.
Professor Dr. Michele Monti (montim@unirc.it)
from Universitą
degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria is the partner responsible for this Workpackage.
