The simultaneous cultivation of two or more crops on a single field - known as intercropping - increases harvest yields. This was reported by agricultural scientists of the Institute of Crop Science at the University of
Hohenheim in Germany in their current study entitled "Extension and
evaluation of intercropping field trials using spatial models". 
The scientists tested a combination of maize/wheat in China as well as maize/legume and maize/peanuts in Germany. In two out of three cases higher grain and dry matter yields were obtained - an average of 20 to 30 percent higher than in monocultures. The study was included in the Research Highlight Program 2010 of the American Society of Agronomy.

(University of Hohenheim/ib)