wheat-lentil intercropping in South-West France

Intercropping wheat and lentils in South-West France improves yield stability, reduces lodging and weed pressure, and enhances harvest efficiency. This system supports sustainable farming by increasing wheat protein content and enabling mechanical harvesting of both crops. Recommended practices include sowing lentils at 300 g/m² and wheat at 50 plants/m², avoiding high nitrogen, and selecting compatible maturity dates. Harvesting requires specialized equipment like rotary and vibratory separators. Tested on three farms in South-West France with TERRENA support, results showed significant reductions in weeds and lodging. The approach is suitable for lentil-growing regions and promotes crop diversification.