Designing multi-species grassland mixtures to reduce fertiliser use and boost forage yield

Multi-species grassland mixtures, particularly grass-legume combinations like clover and grass, enhance forage yield and quality while reducing fertiliser use, improving nutrient use efficiency, weed suppression, drought resilience, and soil health. The Agroecology-TRANSECT project identifies that 4–8 strategically selected species with complementary traits outperform monocultures, relying on positive species interactions rather than high diversity alone. Tools like the Dinitr R package aid in designing region-specific mixtures. These systems lower input costs, boost productivity, and strengthen ecosystem services, supporting sustainable farming. Co-funded by the EU, UKRI, and the Swiss Confederation, the project promotes agroecological practices across Europe.