Legume-cereal intercropping for sustainable agriculture across Europe

Project Information

LEGUMINOSE

Grant agreement ID: 101082289

DOI

10.3030/101082289

EC signature date 3 October 2022

Start date 1 November 2022

End date 31 October 2026

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 7 188 017,50

EU contribution

€ 7 188 013,50

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - LEGUMINOSE (Legume-cereal intercropping for sustainable agriculture across Europe)

Reporting period: 2024-05-01 to 2025-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The primary goal of LEGUMINOSE is to identify the obstacles that hinder intercropping and to increase farmers' acceptance by providing knowledge and demonstrations that highlight the economic, environmental, and social advantages of legume-cereal intercropping. LEGUMINOSE is evaluating the potential for intercropping by focusing on pesticide reduction, plant-microbe mediated nutrient cycling, soil health improvement, and crop quality and health. To overcome the barriers to implementing intercropping, we have established a network of seven research field trials and farm labs (20 farms in each country; 180 on-farm trials with cereal-grain legume intercropping) in different pedo-climatic zones across Europe (IT, DE, DR, ES, PL, CZ, UK) and beyond (EG and PK). Additionally, we plan to create a web-based decision support system for intercropping. With the collaboration of various stakeholders, we will assess and disseminate the economic, ecological, and social benefits of legume-intercropping systems, with international outreach from farm-level to policymakers.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Multi-Actor Analysis of Barriers The project engaged 2,051 farmers and 273 stakeholders to identify legislative and technical barriers to intercropping, such as machinery access and subsidy gaps. Structural Equation Models (SEM) derived from this data revealed that improving guidelines and opportunities significantly dampens perceived barriers. Additionally, socio-technical analyses mapped the "lock-ins" currently preventing the transition to novel cropping systems.

Field Activities and Living Labs A robust network comprising six research field trials and approximately 180 on-farm Living Labs was operationalized across Europe, Pakistan, and Egypt. Using harmonized protocols, these sites served as the primary platform for data generation, resulting in a unified high-quality dataset of over 3,500 soil and root samples collected over two growing seasons.

Soil Functions and Microbiome Analysis Scientific assessments focused on soil health and ecosystem services. Molecular assays (qPCR, NGS) demonstrated that intercropping significantly influences root microbial communities, causing them to converge rather than remaining distinct as in monocultures. While GHG monitoring and carbon stock assessments showed effects on microbial biomass, significant changes in soil organic carbon stocks were not immediately visible in the short term.

Pest and Disease Control Data from 18 specific field trials highlighted mechanisms of natural pest regulation. Key outcomes included high parasitization rates of Bruchus rufimanus in Danish faba bean trials and a faster decline of pea aphid colonies in German intercrops compared to monocultures, confirming the potential for reduced reliance on external inputs.

Decision Support Tools Technical work established a FAIR-compliant European Intercropping Database housing 5.9 million data rows. This data successfully parameterized the InterCrop model, leading to the release of a functional web-based Decision Support System (DSS) prototype. This tool uses multi-criteria optimization to evaluate scenarios based on productivity, nitrogen balance, and Land Equivalent Ratio.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project has advanced beyond the current state of the art by transitioning legume-cereal intercropping research from theoretical concepts and isolated trials to large-scale, data-driven validation. This has resulted in concrete scientific, technological, and socio-economic impacts:

Scientific and Environmental Impact (Quantified Multifunctionality): The project established a robust evidence base to quantify the ecosystem services of intercropping, moving beyond anecdotal benefits. By deploying a network of seven Research Field Trials and approximately 150 on-farm Living Labs, the consortium generated a massive unified dataset of over 3,350 soil and plant samples and 1,100 microbiome samples. This has provided critical insights into how crop diversification directly enhances soil microbial diversity, nutrient cycling, and enzyme activity. Furthermore, data from 18 specific field trials over three seasons have elucidated the specific mechanisms of natural pest control and disease reduction, confirming the potential of intercropping to significantly reduce reliance on external chemical inputs.

Technological Impact (Digital Decision Support): A major leap beyond the state of the art is the development of the "Digital Core" for intercropping, which lowers technical barriers for adoption. The project successfully built a FAIR-compliant European Intercropping Database integrating 5.9 million data rows, including weather, soil, and yield data. This data powers the newly developed InterCrop model and a functional web-based Decision Support System (DSS) prototype. Unlike generic advisory tools, this system allows farmers to simulate competition and facilitation processes, offering site-specific optimization for yield, nitrogen balance, and Land Equivalent Ratio (LER).

Socio-Economic Impact (Barrier Analysis and Market Valorisation): Through the engagement of over 2,051 farmers and 273 stakeholders, the project applied Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to prove that increasing farmer skills and access to competitive varieties significantly dampens perceived barriers. Additionally, the project moved beyond broad market assumptions by identifying the animal feed market (particularly for monogastrics and cattle) as the most immediate and viable economic driver for intercrops, clarifying the business case for farmers

Unearthing the barriers: Investigating challenges to intercropping adoption

Leguminose research field trials' map

Project work packages that clustered into three components: Research, Tools and Dialogs

Discover the benefits of legume-cereal intercropping.

Map of Leguminose confirmed living labs