1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

OPtimal strategies to retAIN and re-use water and nutrients in small agricultural catchments across different soil-climatic regions in Europe (OPTAIN)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Intercropping of grain legumes with cereals is a sustainable agricultural practice in Swiss farming. This involves growing grain legumes (such as peas or beans) alongside cereal crops (like barley or wheat) in the same field, reducing crop failure or yield risk, stabilising the grain legumes, promoting biodiversity and enhancing overall crop yield.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Intercropping of grain legumes with cereals is practised in the Broye catchment area, which covers the cantons of Vaud and Fribourg in Switzerland. The area is characterised by mixed dairy and arable production in the hills and predominantly arable production in the lowlands. The area has an average annual rainfall of 865 mm, an average temperature of 9.6°C and significant agricultural activity relies on irrigation from local rivers.
Intercropping is the simultaneous cultivation of two or more crops in the same field. In this case, grain legumes (such as peas, lupins or faba beans) are grown alongside cereals (such as barley, oats or wheat). The crops are sown together in a pre-prepared mixture, usually at a ratio of 65% legumes to 35% cereals by weight, compared to the standard weight sown in monoculture (100%). The seeds are fully mixed and sown in the same row. Crops are grown over the winter and harvested simultaneously in the spring, which requires compatible combinations whose breeding is continuously optimised for simultaneous ripening. The standard practice in Switzerland is to use a cereal plus a legume.
The main purpose of intercropping grain legumes with cereals is to increase ecological resilience and improve soil fertility. Including legumes in rotations significantly improves soil nitrogen levels, reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers. Intercropping also increases water infiltration, reduces runoff and increases biodiversity. The increase in biodiversity is small in terms of the overall biodiversity of agricultural land (e.g. soil micro-organisms, pollinators). The number of crops grown remains relatively constant. The practice aims to produce higher yields on a given piece of land by using resources that would otherwise not be used by a single crop. The overall yield is higher, although land equivalent ratios (LER) were not measured in this study. However, a cited paper (Chapagain & Riseman, 2014) shows that intercropping barley with peas can increase land productivity by 12-32% compared to monoculture plots, with a 2:1 arrangement producing the highest total land outputs and LER values.
Establishing and maintaining intercropping requires several key activities and inputs: (1) Use of tractors and seed drills for planting and harvesting intercrops. (2) Regular weeding, especially in fields with crops such as soy. (3) Episodic irrigation with water from local irrigation syndicates. (4) Minimal use of fertiliser and homemade manure to maintain soil health.
Intercropping has many benefits: (1) Increases biodiversity, improves soil fertility and increases water infiltration. (2) Reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers, making it economically viable for farmers. (3) Improves drought resistance and reduces the risk of crop failure. (4) Contributes to better water management and resilience to climate change. (5) Surface erosion is reduced by the greater cover of mixed crops (leaf area index).
Farmers appreciate the effectiveness of intercropping in achieving yields similar to monocultures, while adding the benefits of cereals. They also value the reduced need for synthetic fertilisers and improved soil health. However, challenges include seed selection and segregation, particularly for crops such as wheat and faba beans, and weed management in certain fields.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Only one farmer was interviewed who practices mixed cropping on 4 ha.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

All the plots on the farm are connected to a stream. The farmer tries to irrigate as little as possible, as it's time consuming and expensive. As there was enough rain this year, there was no need to irrigate the fields.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• integrated soil fertility management
• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

CHF

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

1.13

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Mixing seeds: For single tank seeders, mix seeds at a ratio of 80% peas and 40% barley. For multi-tank seeders, apply seeds of mixture partners separately.	Before sowing, typically in late summer.
2.	Sowing: Use a row spacing of 12 cm, and place seeds at a depth of 3 to 4 cm.	late october
3.	Assess the mix’s condition after winter.	Spring, depending on winter severity.
4.	Weed Control: Generally not needed due to the competitive nature of the mixed crop. If high weed pressure: Consider harrowing once (2-3 hours per hectare for weeding).	Spring, depending on winter severity.
5.	Harvesting: Adjust harvester sieves for peas. Open threshing concave and hulling bars wide. Maintain low drum rotation. Monitor for grain loss regularly. Adjust Vario-table to an aggressive cutting angle.	Summer.

Comments:

Maintenance activities for a mixed intercropping culture of winter peas/barley.

Cultivate the mixed crop only every seventh year in crop rotation. Avoid growing lupins, vetches, lucerne, or pure stands of red clover in between. No nitrogen fertilisation. Irrigation only in very dry years.

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Ploughing	person-days	1.0	200.0	200.0	100.0
Labour	Sowing the Mixture	person-days	1.0	200.0	200.0	100.0
Labour	Weeding	person-hours	3.0	23.0	69.0	100.0
Equipment	seeder	piece	1.0	10000.0	10000.0	100.0
Equipment	tractor	piece	1.0	30000.0	30000.0	100.0
Equipment	harvester	piece	1.0	15000.0	15000.0	100.0
Equipment	plough	piece	1.0	15000.0	15000.0	100.0
Plant material	Seed mixture protein peas / barley mixture (autumn sowing) organic	kg/ha	200.0	6.0	1200.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					71669.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					63423.89

Comments:

Normal machinery (tractor, seeder, harvester) can be used. In many cases it is already available on the farm.
Weed control is usually not needed. If there is high weed pressure, harrow or hoe it once.
No nitrogen fertilising for the crop. Irrigation would only be needed in an extremely dry year.
In order to avoid legume fatigue in the soil, only cultivate the mixed crop every seventh year. Also do not grow lupins, vetches, Lucerne or pure stands of red clover in between.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

No exceptional investments are needed as existing machines are used.
The cost of seeds and the seed sorting costs by the mills.
Time and labour required for weeding, which can vary based on crop type.
The demand and price for the crops grown. E.g. soy having higher demand and price compared to peas.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

The increasing threat of heavy rainfall events due to climate change enhances the threat of flooding.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Both are in between low and medium, but rather low.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

No

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
seasonal temperature	spring	increase	very well
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	well
seasonal temperature	autumn	increase	well
seasonal temperature	winter	increase	very well
seasonal rainfall	spring	increase	well
seasonal rainfall	summer	decrease	not well
seasonal rainfall	autumn	decrease	moderately
seasonal rainfall	winter	increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local thunderstorm	well
local hailstorm	moderately

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave	moderately
cold wave	well
drought	not well

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	well

Comments:

In a very dry summer with limited irrigation, competition for water availability between the two species in the mix can lead to poor crop quality at harvest.
In the event of a very cold winter and poor legume growth, the technology has the advantage of allowing the farmer to apply fertiliser and still harvest cereals at the end of the season, reducing the risk of crop failure.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 11-50%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Yes

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• changing markets

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Decrease for market reasons (barley has low market price) & more adapted varieties (pea varieties that are more resistant to wind damage).

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Mixed cropping works very well, providing both legume and cereal yields.
Certain crops, like oats, help suppress weeds, reducing the need for additional weeding. Thus saving costs (PPPs & labour) and reducing workload (hours of weeding).
Legumes contribute to nitrogen fixation, improving soil fertility for subsequent crops.
Mixed cropping reduces the risk of total crop failure, as one crop can compensate if the other underperforms.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
If one crop fails, the other can still provide a harvest, ensuring some yield.
Mixed cropping can produce more biomass on the same land compared to monocultures.
It enhances soil diversity, supports pollinators, and contributes to nitrogen enrichment.
Good market price for protein peas. Additionally, the farmer receives a subsidy for grain legumes (including protein peas), if the harvest contains at least 30% grain legume seeds. In addition, the cantons of Jura and Vaud pay cantonal contributions to farmers who cultivate mixed crops. The farmers can also get extra payments by the organic farmer organisation Bio Suisse if certain grain legume species of high demand are cultivated (see Agridea Deckungsbeitrag catalogue for more information).

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Legumes are not growing well due to a cold winter.	Adding fertilizer can help growing the cereal and enables the farmer to still harvest something.
Water competition in a dry summer results in a bad crop quality.	Ensure efficient irrigation to reduce competition for water between mixed crops.
Barley has a very low market value.	Choose crop varieties that are better adapted to market demands.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
During drought stress, competition for water between the two crops can occur, leading to potential yield losses or low quality yield.	Use drought-tolerant varieties or species with deep roots for mixed cropping. This can help reduce competition for water and improve resilience during dry periods.
Limited market demand for certain crops like barley.	Focus on crops with higher market demand.
Need for minimal fertilization in mixed cropping can reduce yield quality of cereals like barley.	Implement targeted fertilization strategies to balance the needs of both crops.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Huss, C. P., Holmes, K. D., & Blubaugh, C. K. (2022). Benefits and risks of intercropping for crop resilience and pest management. Journal of Economic Entomology, 115(5), 1350–1362. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toac045

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Klaiss, M. (2021). Intercropping of grain pea with cereals (Legumes Translated Practice Note 17, S. 1–4). Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL. https://orgprints.org/id/eprint/42384/

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Alföldi, T., Haug, B., Messmer, M., Goldringer, I., Forst, E., Mary-Huard, T., Enjalbert, J., & Hohmann, P. (2020). Mischkulturen Erbsen/Gerste - Braucht es eine eigene Züchtung? EU-Projekt ReMIX (Video). Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau FiBL, CH-Frick. Retrieved 31 July, 2024, from https://orgprints.org/id/eprint/37276/

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Haug, B., Messmer, M., Enjalbert, J., Goldringer, I., Flutre, T., Mary-Huard, T., & Hoh-mann, P. (2023). New insights towards breeding for mixed cropping of spring pea and bar-ley to increase yield and yield stability. Field Crops Research, 297, 108923. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2023.108923

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Hiltbrunner J., Wüst S., Blatter A., Vonzun S., Klaiss M., Messmer M. (2023). Optimierung des Mischkultursystems Erbse-Gerste zur Sicherung der lokalen Eiweissversorgung. Feld-rundgänge & Präsentation Projekt PROMISE 2023. Agroscope. Stiegenhof, Arenenberg, Utzenstorf & Sargans. https://ira.agroscope.ch/de-CH/publication/53643

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Vonzun S., Blatter A., Wüst S., Hiltbrunner J., Schneider M., Messmer M. (2023). Investi-gating mixed cropping systems with pea and lentils for climate-smart and demand oriented agriculture. Fourth International Legume Society Conference 2023. 19 September, Granada. https://ira.agroscope.ch/de-CH/publication/55455

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL. (2017). Erfolgreicher Anbau von Körnerleguminosen in Mischkultur mit Getreide.

URL:

https://www.fibl.org/en/shop-en/1670-koernerleguminosen-mischkulturen

Title/ description:

FiBLFilm. (2020, May 6). Increasing domestic protein supply with intercropping - Diverimpacts success story from Switzerland [Video file].

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BadrJW-b_2g

Title/ description:

FiBLFilm. (2015, September 29). Anbau von Mischkulturen (Colture consociate) - Körnerleguminosen Getreide [Video file].

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAYNXCw2CiE

Title/ description:

Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL. (2024). FiBL projects Grain legumes intercropped with cereals and other partners.

URL:

https://www.fibl.org/de/themen/huelsenfruechte/huelsenfruechte-projekte

Title/ description:

Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL. (2024). Deckungsbeiträge. Praxispublikationen.

URL:

https://www.fibl.org/de/shop/1104-deckungsbeitraege