ReMIX aimed at analysing and optimizing the functioning of species mixtures, also called intercrops, in order to help design sustainable and diversified cropping systems for both conventional and organic agriculture. The studied species mixtures were mainly cereals and grain legumes. Eleven multi-actor platforms (MAPs) were set up in ten countries in order to demonstrate potential performances and interests of species mixtures. MAPs were a rich picture of promising species mixtures embedded in local negotiations and adjustments by relevant actors securing developing effective solutions fitted to the social and economic context in which farmers operate. Several knowledge syntheses, new experimental and modelling studies have been carried out to determine how plant traits (e.g. root architecture and canopy morphology), cropping practices (e.g. plant density), and environment (availability of N, P and water, light quality) influence the performances of species mixtures as compared to sole crops for the capture of abiotic resources and the control of animal pests, diseases and weeds. Novel ideas and specific concepts were developed in order to support breeding for intercropping. As much as possible, we aimed at converting scientific results into practical tools and synthetic information disseminated not only to farmers, advisors, and other farming sector stakeholders, but also to policy makers.

• Intercropping
• cereal-legume mixture
• multi-actor approach

Species mixtures for lentil production in Germany

• interropping
• lentil
• Germany

Overview of intercropping practices in Europe

• intercropping
• Europe

Collective knowledge space and needed farmer engagements. Intercropping.

• Collective
• knowledge
• farmer
• engagement
• intercropping

Optimising legume intercropping for pollinators

• legume
• intercropping
• pollinators

Pea breeding for intercropping with cereals

• Pea
• breeding
• intercropping
• cereals

Designing mixtures to control weed pressure

• weed
• intercropping

Living mulches management in conventional wheat farming

• Living mulches
• management
• wheat
• farming

Living mulch of lucerne for the cultivation of soft wheat in organic farming

• Living mulch
• lucerne
• soft wheat
• organic farming

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE OF SPECIES MIXTURES

• intercropping
• practice