Sustainable Mixed Cropping Systems for the Boreal-Nemoral Region

Abstract

Mixed cropping, including intercropping, is the oldest form of systemized agricultural production and involves the growing of two or more species or cultivars of the same species simultaneously in the same field. However, mixed cropping has been little by little replaced by sole crop systems, especially in developed countries. Some of the advantages of mixed cropping are, for example, resource use efficiency and yield stability, but there are also several challenges, such as weed management and competition. The boreal-nemoral region lies within the region 55 to 70 • N. In this area, for example in Finland, the length of the thermal growing season varies from >105 to over 185 days. Typically, variation between locations and years is marked. However, during the year, there can be a wide range of temperature extremes between −70 and +30 • C. The majority of cropping systems in this region are usually monocultures, except for forage grass mixtures. The possibility of having several crops in a mixture is very challenging in the region due to the short growing season and extreme cold temperatures, meaning that crop earliness and overwintering capacity are a considerable restriction for year-round mixed cropping. A further restriction is the quality requirements set by the industry. Our review will explore a range of mixed cropping possibilities for the boreal-nemoral region, including different possible combinations of spring, winter, perennial, biennial, catch, and cover crops. The reviewed mixed cropping systems could considerably improve the sustainability and efficiency of crop production.

Influence of farming systems practices on physicochemical properties of soils in wet and dry season in University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

“…Continuous use of an arable farmland exposes the soil to degradation, soil erosion, soil compaction, while mixed cropping of various crops types is in line with the view to maximize the soil for its continuous use and at the same time harvest varieties of crops produced with its challenges both on the soil, crop and equally on the farmer. In mixed cropping, combination of cover crops, will improves the physical, biological and chemical properties of the soil, control soil erosion, degradation and suppression of weed competing with crops [36]; [37].…”

Multiple Antioxidative and Bioactive Molecules of Oats (Avena sativa L.) in Human Health

“…However, farmers prefer crops such as wheat, rice, and barley, which provide higher yields and profits compared to oats, and thus, oat production has gradually decreased over the past few decades globally. As a result, unlike wheat, barley, and rice, agricultural research on oats is limited [ 156 ]. Previous studies by oat breeders mainly focused on phenotype selection and disease resistance related to the yield, and there are fewer studies on genetics and other necessary traits of oats than those of other grains [ 157 , 158 , 159 ].…”

The Comparison of Soil Agrochemical and Biological Properties in the Multi-Cropping Farming Systems

“…Multi-cropping is the cultivation of two or more crops in the same field based on ecological principles [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. The main differences between mono- and multi-cropping are that the cultivation of agricultural crops differs in the length of the growing season as well as in biological and agronomic characteristics [ 11 , 12 ]. According to Lizarazo et al [ 12 ], multi-cropping reduces nutrient leaching into deeper layers of the soil, as well as the abundance of pathogens and weeds.…”

“…The main differences between mono- and multi-cropping are that the cultivation of agricultural crops differs in the length of the growing season as well as in biological and agronomic characteristics [ 11 , 12 ]. According to Lizarazo et al [ 12 ], multi-cropping reduces nutrient leaching into deeper layers of the soil, as well as the abundance of pathogens and weeds. Therefore, the stronger the ecosystem, the higher the possibility for the reduction in fertilisers and pesticides.…”