Abstract
Intercropping is a farming practice involving two or more crop species, or genotypes, growing
together and coexisting for a time.Onthe fringes of modern intensive agriculture, intercropping
is important in many subsistence or low-input/resource-limited agricultural systems. By allowing
genuine yield gains without increased inputs, or greater stability of yield with decreased inputs,
intercropping could be one route to delivering ‘sustainable intensification’. We discuss how
recent knowledge from agronomy, plant physiology and ecology can be combined with the aim
of improving intercropping systems. Recent advances in agronomy and plant physiology include
better understanding of the mechanisms of interactions between crop genotypes and species –
for example, enhanced resource availability through niche complementarity. Ecological
advances include better understanding of the context-dependency of interactions, the
mechanisms behind disease and pest avoidance, the links between above- and below-ground
systems, and the role of microtopographic variation in coexistence. This improved understanding
can guide approaches for improving intercropping systems, including breeding crops for
intercropping. Although such advances can help to improve intercropping systems, we suggest
that other topics also need addressing. These include better assessment of the wider benefits of
intercropping in terms of multiple ecosystem services, collaboration with agricultural engineering,
and more effective interdisciplinary research.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 107 - 117 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | New Phytologist |
Volume | 206 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | First published - 2014 |
Bibliographical note
10233241023377
Keywords
- Agriculture
- Ecosystem services
- Intercropping
- Organismal interactions
- Resource use
- Soil biodiversity
- Sustainable intensification