Buckwheat yields in intercropped systems of walnut and buckwheat

Intercropping involves combining more plant species on the same parcel of land at the same time. The significance of intercropping is in the cultivation of plant species in systems that are less susceptible to different stress conditions. The aim of our research is to investigate buckwheat yields intercropped between alleys of grafted walnuts. The field trial was conducted at two sites in eastern Croatia where on one site walnuts were four years old and on the other eleven years old. Buckwheat yields were significantly lower in intercropped 11-yr old orchard compared to the control plot without walnuts. However, in 4-yr old walnut orchard there was no significant difference between buckwheat yields in the intercropped system and on the control plot. Such results suggest that the shading effect could be the driving force controlling buckwheat yields in such intercropped systems.