The benefits of multi-species cultivated grasslands in the context of mixed crop and livestock farming systems

Multi-species grasslands (MSGs) are increasingly being used, owing to their perceived agronomic benefits. However, the plant composition, environmental and management conditions required to realise the potential agronomic benefits of MSGs, as well as the nature of these benefits, remain to be determined, depending on production objectives and the duration of the rotation. The body of recent experimental data on sown grassland confirms the value of MSGs. Combinations of grasses and legumes often enable productivity to be maintained and feed value to be improved whilst reducing nitrogen fertilisation. Grass mixtures offer real, though less consistent, annual productivity benefits. Furthermore, PMS enable more consistent intra-annual production, greater long-term sustainability and improved resilience. In a mixed cropping and livestock farming context, the choice of species should be adapted according to the intended lifespan of the grassland. Mixed species also help to control weeds. A detailed analysis of the processes of competition and facilitation between species within a mixture helps to guide the choice of diverse mixtures. The benefits of managing intraspecific diversity, which complements species diversity, remain to be clarified.