Intercrops are crops that are grown between the main agricultural crop as an extension of the crop rotation, green manure and for fodder utilisation. They are cultivated as summer and winter catch crops or as undersown crops in the main crop (cover crop). Intercrops can be cultivated as a pure crop or as a mixture.
The following effects can be achieved by intercropping:
Nitrogen fixation from the air through intercropping with legumes. The nitrogen bound in this way is available for the next crop in the rotation, which can increase yields and save on mineral nitrogen or liquid manure.
Conservation of nutrients in the biomass.
Stimulation and promotion of soil life, improvement of soil structure and thus improvement of soil fertility.
Compacted soils can be regenerated by deep-rooted catch crops.
Separating crop in the crop rotation.
Effect of catch crops in terms of saving herbicides by suppressing weeds.
Soil regeneration through the cultivation of e.g. nematode-resistant catch crops.
Go to content:
Types in the mixture | Family |
|---|---|
Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia) (40.0%) Borage (Borago officinalis) (1.0%) | Broadleaf family (Boraginaceae) |
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) (2.0%) Common Marigold (Calendula officinalis) (5.0%) | Compositae (Asteraceae) |
| Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) (25%) | Knotweed (Polygonaceae) |
| Dill (Anethum graveolens) (2.0%) | Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) |
| Black cumin (Nigella sativa) (5.0%) | Ranunculaceae (Ranunculaceae) |
| Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) (6.0%) | Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) |
White mustard (Sinapis alba) (7.0%) Fodder radish (Rhapanus sativus var. oleiformis) (4.0%) | Cruciferous plants (Brassicaceae) |
| Mallow (Malva) (3.0%) | Mallow family (Malvaceae) |
Types in the mixture | Family |
|---|---|
| Oil linseed (Linum usitatissimum) (15.0%) | Flax family (Linaceae) |
| Sorghum (Sorghum × drummondii) (35.0%) | Sweet grasses (Poaceae) |
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) (20.0%) Ramtilla (Guizotia abyssinica) (8.0%) | Compositae (Asteraceae)
|
Abyssinian mustard (Brassica carinata) (8.0%) Camelina (Camelina sativa) (7.0%) Cress (Lepidium sativum) (7.0%) | Cruciferous plants (Brassiaceae) |
