Intercropping in vegetable growing – challenge or solution? | Jauktie stādījumi dārzeņkopībā – izaicinājums vai risinājums?
2019
Lepse, L., Latvia Univ. of Life Sciences and Technologies, Cerini, Krimuna Parish, Dobele Municipality (Latvia). Inst. of Horticulture | Dane, S., Latvia Univ. of Life Sciences and Technologies, Cerini, Krimuna Parish, Dobele Municipality (Latvia). Inst. of Horticulture | Zeipiņa, S., Latvia Univ. of Life Sciences and Technologies, Cerini, Krimuna Parish, Dobele Municipality (Latvia). Inst. of Horticulture | Lepsis, J., Latvia Univ. of Life Sciences and Technologies, Cerini, Krimuna Parish, Dobele Municipality (Latvia). Inst. of Horticulture
The demand for organic vegetable products is rapidly growing in Europe and also in Latvia. The depleted soil with decreased productivity is one of the main constrains in organic vegetable production. Therefore seeking new technologies is crucial for the solution of the problem. Intercropping, especially strip cropping, is foreseen as one of the possible improvements in growing technologies. The scientific literature review conducted by the authors on the intercropping efficiency in vegetable production is based on different scientific journals from all around the world. The summary of the findings shows that intercropping approach is considered to be an interaction of different factors influencing crop yield and its performance: insect attraction or repellent properties of particular plants caused by their aromatic volatiles; allelopathy effect for inhibiting or stimulating neighbouring organisms; symbiotic atmosphere nitrogen fixation; optimal physical use of belowground and aboveground space; the increase of plant available nutrients in the soil; increased soil microbiological activity. All abovementioned gains from using of intercropped plants promote environmental sustainability and increase the yield potential for particular cropping systems. The indices can be calculated by means of precise formulas. One of the most widely used method for evaluation of intercropping efficiency is LER (land equivalent ratio), which is defined as the area of monocropped land required to provide the same productivity as the area of intercropped land. It is possible to conclude from the literature reviewed that there is missing scientific data on vegetable intercropping, and especially in northern European agroecological conditions.
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