Optimization of intercropping for biomass production

Background and Objective

The integration of lupins with high biomass potential into new cultivation systems will enable the development of ecosystem services of leguminous crops for energy crop cultivation in the planned project.

Approach

The system of intercropping maize with Andean lupins (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet.) is to be based on the hybrid breeding methodology of the optimized combination of partners, that have been tested for their suitability for combination with the respective complementary partner species. This will result in a more sustainable biomass production and an increase in the crop species diversity in this area. Exemplary, this system will also be tested for the combination of oats (Avena byzantina resp. A. sativa) with white lupin (Lupinus albus L.).

The Institute for Breeding Research on Agricultural Crops (JKI-ZL, coordination) and the Institute for Crop and Soil Science (JKI-PB) of the Julius Kühn Institute, the Thünen Institute of Organic Farming (TI-OL), the Institute for Animal Science and Technology of the University of Rostock and the Agricultural Institute (LLA) in Triesdorf are involved in this joint research project includes.