MIXED-SPECIES crop systems' have the potential to increase the sustainability of agricultural production – that is the concept coming under the spotlight at an online conference next week.

Focussing on the latest research from lab to field, the event, running from January 18 to 20, is being organised by Scotland's James Hutton Institute, in collaboration with the Association of Applied Biology.

The aim is to highlight how researchers, farmers and other stakeholders are working together to design, test and provide practical solutions for multi-species intercropping, including research from the JHI-supported projects DIVERSify and ReMIX, which were funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme

The conference will include a panel session for farmers, with representatives from both research and industry to discuss uptake of intercropping, plus a film premiere to screen the final episode of the DIVERSify film series 'Growing Beyond Monoculture'.

Speakers from across Europe and further afield will cover topics ranging from basic research to practical application of intercrops, including nutrient and pest management, intercropping for yield benefits, environmental benefits and ecosystem services, innovations and tools, new approaches, species, varieties and sowing arrangements.

Hutton agroecologist, Dr Alison Karley, said: “Join this conference to learn about the knowledge, advice and technologies being developed to support wider use of intercropping as a sustainable farming approach.”

For more information and registration, email diversify@hutton.ac.uk.