Diversification through Rotation, Intercropping and Multiple cropping (DRIM)

Trial location and duration

Alnarp, SITES Lönnstorp, Sweden.  Latitude: 55° 39′ 21″N, Longitude: 13° 03′ 30″E. Elevation of 7.0 m.a.sl.

Trial duration: 2017- 2023 (and probably beyond)

Objectives and research question

Current organic crop production in southern Sweden relies heavily on external inputs of organic nitrogen inputs. The inputs are not only becoming more expensive but also difficult to access. Furthermore, weeds competing for resources and relatively low resource-use-efficiency of the system due to nutrient losses and long period of bare soil during autumn-winter periods compounds the problems. The field experiment aims to reduce external nitrogen input, weed pressure and increase resource-use-efficiency by incorporating legumes as intercrops and multi-species cover crops in the rotation.

Experimental design

The field experiment consists of two crop rotations of six years (Reference and Diversified systems, see below figures) which were co-designed by farmers, advisors and researchers with the above aims. All crops are grown in each year in plots of 6x15m and in four replicates in a randomised block design.