Diversification improves the performance of cereals in European cropping systems

Abstract In the face of climate change, cropping systems need to achieve a high performance, providing food and feed adapting variable environmental conditions. Diversification can support ecosystem services associated biodiversity, but there is little evidence on which temporal field arrangement affects performance crop yields (productivity stability), partly due lack long-term data appropriate indicators. The objectives this study were quantify effect system diversification yield stability, adaptability, probability diversified outperform less diverse cereal-based in Europe. Spring winter cereal analyzed from experiments Sweden, Scotland, France. We investigated through (i) introduction perennial leys, (ii) increasing proportion ley rotation, (iii) varying order crops are positioned (iv) grain legumes, (v) cover crops. results showed that within incorporating leys outperformed without 60–94% comparisons with higher probabilities at low fertilizer intensities. stability oat did not differ, mean 33% higher, when grown directly after compared two years later sequence under similar management. Durum wheat legumes had lower-yielding conditions rotations legumes. significantly affect stability. conclude increase productivity adaptability more likely especially introducing forage into arable systems. Effects inconsistent indicating achievable reducing variability. These novel findings design high-performing