Evaluating the Performance of Intercropping Cereals and Legumes to Reduce Weed Pressure

Weeds are a major contributor to crop yield losses, accounting for up to 30% in conventional systems and exceeding 50% in organic farming.This study evaluated the effectiveness of intercropping as an agroecological strategy for weed suppression in winter crops, using advanced monitoring tools including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).Results showed that the wheat-field pea intercrop achieved superior weed suppression compared to both the wheat-faba bean intercrop and the wheat monoculture.These findings suggest that crop species selection, intercropping strategies, and optimized sowing densities can play a critical role in reducing weed pressure and enhancing the sustainability of cropping systems.