Abstract Intercropping cereals with legumes is a promising strategy to enhance crop performance, though legume management can significantly affect outcomes. A three-year field study (2019–2022) evaluated the effects of intercropping two wheat varieties (cv. Butterfly and Lorien) with spring pea (cv. Avatar) on wheat yield and quality in organic farming. Results showed that spring pea management influenced both yield and quality. Wheat yield dropped by 19.5 % when spring pea was sown in separate rows in springtime compared to wheat monoculture. Protein content was improved by 5 % in wheat-pea intercropping compared to wheat monoculture. Butterfly outperformed Lorien in baking quality when intercropped. Dough rheology improved with intercropping, with optimal results depending on the timing of spring pea sowing and wheat variety. Overall, tailoring wheat quality and yield requires careful selection of both wheat cultivar and legume management.
Konvalina et al. (Thu,) studied this question.