Yield and water use of grain legumes intercropped with spring canola in Eastern Washington

Summary

Abstract Farmers in the Palouse watershed of Eastern Washington primarily focus on growing wheat but will often rotate with grain legumes and canola. This rotation is profitable and can reduce costs and boost wheat yields. Both legumes and canola have concerning agronomic attributes, such as poor weed competitiveness and the need for additional nitrogen inputs. Intercropping a legume with canola is an attractive option for decreasing inputs and boosting yields. This study reports a 3‐year trial in which canola, peas, and chickpeas were grown solely and intercropped (chickpeas/canola and peas/canola). Each treatment was followed by winter wheat. Land equivalency ratios showed moderate overyielding for chickpea/canola (1.15, p = 0.02) and pea/canola (1.14, p = 0.06) intercrops. Canola was th