Intercropping of lupin for weed control and complementary grain production in organic farming

Authors: Nicolas Carton, Georg Carlsson, Erik Steen Jensen, Guenaelle Hellou

Problem: Lupin crops (white lupin, narrow-leafed lupin) fix nitrogen, produce protein-rich seeds and can diversify crop rotations, However, the low competitive ability of lupin towards weeds and its high yield variability is a barrier to increase its cultivation with no or reduced herbicide use.

Solution: A cereal (winter or spring) or camelina (spring) crop can be grown with lupin at a low density. The intercrop can compensate the low utilisation of soil nitrogen and light interception by lupin helping to reduce weed burden for lupin during the early stages of growth. 

zenodo.org: Intercropping of lupin for weed control and complementary grain production in organic farming