Summary
This modelling study calibrated APSIM NG for oats, winter wheat, and red clover service crops under northern European conditions to assess ecosystem services from intercropping. Using 30 weather scenarios, the authors compared cropping systems with and without an intercropped red clover service crop, finding that whilst the service crop reduced oat yield, it increased winter wheat yield in two-thirds of simulations and substantially increased soil organic carbon whilst reducing nitrogen leaching in winter wheat. The work demonstrates the potential of mechanistic crop models to assess complex trade-offs in multifunctional cropping systems.
Regional applicability
The study was explicitly calibrated for northern European climate conditions using field data from two sites, making findings directly applicable to United Kingdom arable farming practice. The focus on winter cereal-legume intercropping aligns with UK sustainable intensification objectives and the emerging interest in service crops as an alternative to fallow or monoculture.
Key measures
Crop biomass and yield; fresh soil organic carbon; nitrogen uptake by crops; nitrogen leaching losses; gaseous nitrogen emissions; soil water content
Outcomes reported
The study used APSIM NG crop modelling to assess the effects of intercropped red clover service crops on oat and winter wheat yields, soil organic carbon, nitrogen cycling, and water dynamics across 30 simulated weather scenarios in northern European conditions. Outputs measured soil processes including organic carbon accumulation, nitrogen uptake, leaching losses, gaseous emissions, and soil water content.
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