Grain Yield Stability of Cereal-Legume Intercrops Is Greater Than Sole Crops in More Productive Conditions

The intercropping of two or more crop species on the same piece land at a given time has been hypothesized to enhance yield stability. To address this hypothesis, we assessed grain stability various barley-pea and wheat-faba bean mixtures grown in seven experimental field trials (locations) across Europe during years with contrasting weather (2017 2018). Three different measures were used, all based expected variability mixture components as sole crops, corresponding observed 50:50 replacement design. Stability indices calculated ratios between variabilities, values > 1 indicating greater intercrops. Mean yields tended be higher intercrops than crops. However, contrast our (intercrop) was similar lower (sole crop) most locations except one. Furthermore, significantly increased increasing mean when differentially productive locations. results are relevant for designing systems means increase resilience cropping systems.