Can Annual Intercrops Help Control Weeds and Improve Productivity?

A.G. Nelson¹, S. Quideau², B. Frick³, Jill Clapperton⁴ and D. Spaner¹

1 Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, 2 Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB,
3 Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada at University of Saskatchewan,
4 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1

Abstract
Weed control and low productivity continue to be issues in organic cropping systems.

We examined the use of annual intercrops for weed suppression and yield stabilization at four field sites in 2006. Monocrops of wheat, barley, canola (Brassica napus) and field peas, and all intercrop combinations that include wheat were grown in two conventional and two organic locations in Edmonton, and New Norway, AB. Recommended seeding rates were used, and adjusted according to the number of crops in the mixture.

Ability to compete as well as yields and land equivalent ratios (LER) were determined using biomass and yield samples.

In both organic and conventional systems, the barley monocrop and intercrops that included barley had significantly less weed biomass than other treatments. Yields in the conventional systems were higher than in the organic systems

However, some intercrops were found to improve overall productivity in both systems of production. The intercrop treatments wheat:canola, wheat:barley:canola, wheat:barley:peas and wheat:barley:canola:peashad mean LER’s significantly higher than one. LER’s greater than one mean indicate that more monocropped land would be needed to achieve the intercrop yield. The intercrop treatments had similar LER’s in both the organic and conventional systems.

Intercropping less competitive crops with a competitive crop like barley can improve weed suppression and productivity above that of monocrops. We will be examining the soil biology of intercropped systems in future studies.

Source
Organic Connections Conference 2006 - Research Poster Winner - Second Prize


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Research Extension Courses Consumers -------------------------- Virtual Farm Tours Student & Job Opportunities News Articles Links Standards -------------------------- Market Information Events Issues Animal Welfare Strategic Plans -------------------------- Award-winners Kids Stuff Rural Culture Discussion Forum Classified Ads Weather Site Map	Can Annual Intercrops Help Control Weeds and Improve Productivity? A.G. Nelson¹, S. Quideau², B. Frick³, Jill Clapperton⁴ and D. Spaner¹ 1 Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, 2 Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, 3 Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada at University of Saskatchewan, 4 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1 Abstract Weed control and low productivity continue to be issues in organic cropping systems. We examined the use of annual intercrops for weed suppression and yield stabilization at four field sites in 2006. Monocrops of wheat, barley, canola (Brassica napus) and field peas, and all intercrop combinations that include wheat were grown in two conventional and two organic locations in Edmonton, and New Norway, AB. Recommended seeding rates were used, and adjusted according to the number of crops in the mixture. Ability to compete as well as yields and land equivalent ratios (LER) were determined using biomass and yield samples. In both organic and conventional systems, the barley monocrop and intercrops that included barley had significantly less weed biomass than other treatments. Yields in the conventional systems were higher than in the organic systems However, some intercrops were found to improve overall productivity in both systems of production. The intercrop treatments wheat:canola, wheat:barley:canola, wheat:barley:peas and wheat:barley:canola:peashad mean LER’s significantly higher than one. LER’s greater than one mean indicate that more monocropped land would be needed to achieve the intercrop yield. The intercrop treatments had similar LER’s in both the organic and conventional systems. Intercropping less competitive crops with a competitive crop like barley can improve weed suppression and productivity above that of monocrops. We will be examining the soil biology of intercropped systems in future studies. *Source* Organic Connections Conference 2006 - Research Poster Winner - Second Prize
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Can Annual Intercrops Help Control Weeds and Improve Productivity?

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