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Which pea traits for agroecological weed management in pea-wheat intercrops. A simulation study

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Context Intercropping pea ( Pisum sativum L.) with cereals is a promising lever to reduce weed infestation and damages. A large phenotypic diversity exists in pea which could be used for breeding varieties adapted to intercropping and weed management. Objective We aimed to identify, depending on cropping system and weed flora, (1) the key pea parameters (traits) that drive crop production and weed control in pea intercropped with wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), (2) optimal combinations of pea and wheat parameter values, and intercrop management techniques, to maximise these goals. Material and methods Virtual experiments were run, using FLORSYS. This individual-based 3D model simulates daily crop-weed seed and plant dynamics over the years, from cropping system and pedoclimate, focusing on competition for light. The model includes five winter pea and three winter wheat varieties. Virtual varieties (5 pea and 10 wheat) were created by randomly combining variety-parameter values according to a Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) plan, respecting parameter ranges and 2-by-2 Pearson correlations observed in real varieties. 3600 cropping systems were simulated following another LHS plan, combining pea and wheat varieties, crop rotations and management techniques in nine contrasting situations (e.g., conventional, organic, no-till, type of weed flora). Simulated data were analysed with classification and regression trees (CART). Another simulation plan followed the same method, but pea was grown as a sole crop. Results Intercropping reduced pea yield loss due to weeds (by 30% for the least weed-tolerant varieties, e.g. Enduro) and field infestation (by 14% for the least weed-suppressive varieties, e.g., 886–1). We highlighted (1) key pea parameters (e.g., biomass allocation to leaves until full maturity, increased plant width per unit biomass when shaded, frost tolerance) and (2) how to combine them to maximise potential yield and weed suppression. The combination of parameter values that increase light interception (when shaded, allocate a larger proportion of biomass to leaves, grow taller and wider per unit biomass, shift leaves upwards) fitted to most contexts. Other combinations were specific to particular systems (e.g., a large superficial root system to leave less soil moisture for superficial weed seeds only works in no-till). Conclusions A high pea yield in weed-infested intercrops needs a pea variety with a high yield potential, a weed-suppressive wheat variety and weed-preventive management techniques. Implications Our results are pointers for breeding varieties to regulate weeds in intercrops, and rules for farmers to choose pea varieties, depending on the production goal, the intercropped wheat variety and the cropping system. Further research needs to link pea parameters to variables routinely measured in breeding programmes.
DOI: 10.1016/j.eja.2026.128313
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,200
OpenAlex ID: W7213348317
FWCI:
Cites: 68
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Related to: 10