Increasing domestic legume production is a key strategy for achieving Net Zero targets in agriculture. By reducing reliance on mineral nitrogen fertilizers and imported feed, legumes such as faba beans (Vicia faba L.) and peas (Pisum sativum L.) can lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while improving soil health and ecosystem services. Additionally, with growing demand for plant-based proteins, expanding homegrown legume cultivation can strengthen food and feed security in the UK.
This study focuses on legume-legume intercropping, an innovative approach to enhancing yield stability, nitrogen fixation, and soil health. By optimizing varietal combinations, we aim to unlock further environmental and economic benefits from legume cropping systems.
Key Objectives:
- Optimize varietal combinations of faba beans and peas to maximize protein yield and agronomic performance.
- Quantify nitrogen fixation (BNF) using the 15N natural abundance technique, comparing intercropped legumes with monocultures.
- Assess nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) cycling, including soil impacts, GHG emissions, and water quality.
- Evaluate the carbon footprint of legume intercropping using farm carbon accounting tools to support Net Zero goals.
By bridging knowledge gaps in legume intercropping, this research provides actionable insights for sustainable farming, climate resilience, and reduced agrochemical dependence.lenge perceptions and promote its use as a valuable agroecological resource rather than a nuisance.