Intercropping

Code: 
A05
Sector: 
Agriculture
The complete description of the NWRM: 
PDF icon a5_-_intercropping.pdf
Summary: 

Intercropping is the practice of growing two or more crops in proximity. The most common goal of intercropping is to produce a greater yield on a given piece of land by making use of resources that would otherwise not be utilized by a single crop. Examples of intercropping strategies are planting a deep-rooted crop with a shallow-rooted crop, or planting a tall crop with a shorter crop that requires partial shade. Numerous types of intercropping, all of which vary the temporal and spatial mixture to some degree, have been identified: mixed intercropping, row cropping, relay cropping, etc.

Illustration(s): 

Intercropped cereals with soybeans

Source: Gábor Ungvári’s presentation, NWRM Workshop 1

Possible benefits with level: 
Benefits Levelsort descending
BP6 - Increase infiltration and/or groundwater recharge High
BP10 - Reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery High
BP15 - Enhance precipitation High
ES9 - Filtration of pollutants High
PO9 - Take adequate and co-ordinated measures to reduce flood risks High
PO11 - Better protection for ecosystems and more use of Green Infrastructure High
BP2 - Slow runoff High
BP7 - Increase soil water retention Low
ES1 - Water storage Low
ES5 - Climate change adaptation and mitigation Low
BP11 - Improve soils Medium
ES7 - Flood risk reduction Medium
ES8 - Erosion/sediment control Medium
PO3 - Improving status of hydromorphology quality elements Medium
PO7 - Prevent surface water status deterioration Medium
PO12 - More sustainable agriculture and forestry Medium
PO14 - Prevention of biodiversity loss Medium
ES4 - Biodiversity preservation Medium
Case study(ies): 
Last updated: 08 Jun 2015 | Top