Gone and forgotten: facilitative effects of intercropping combinations did not carry over to affect barley performance in a follow-up crop rotation

Abstract Aim Intercropping often leads to improved productivity of individual species compared monocultures. We have practically little knowledge facilitation effects in different intercropping systems and their importance creating soil legacies that can indirectly affect the succeeding crop a rotation through plant-soil feedback (PSF) effects. Methods To test this, we used two-phased field experiment where combined rotation. During intercropping, grew maize, faba bean, lupine monocultures or two-species combinations. The following season, winter barley on previously for PSF under conditions. Results found evidence facilitative aboveground biomass production were species-specific with bean maize benefitting when intercropped expected biomasses Lupine, contrast, performed best After phase, total mineral nitrogen was higher legume but this did not microbial parameters follow-up phase. Conclusions support positive negative interactions intercropping. Our results also demonstrated play no significant role moderately high nutrient environments.