A weed management strategy in the organic farming consists in increasing the competitiveness of the cultivated system. Intercropping can improve competitiveness thanks of the better use of resources by reducing their availability for weeds. Camelina (Camelina Sativa L. Crantz) is a promising oilseed crop with low input requirements. Its early vigorous growth could compensate for the low vegetative growth of peas, thus reducing weed emergence. A preliminary study was carried to assess the effect of camelina intercropped with pea on soil coverage and weed incidence in organic farming compared with pea sole-cropping.
After 98 days after sowing (DAS), soil coverage significantly differed among treatments, showing the highest values in the intercropping and in sole camelina. The lowest weed density was in the intercropping. The weed control efficiency of intercrops increased by 56% and 23% compared to sole pea and sole camelina, respectively. In conclusio,n camelina-pea intercropping resulted in an interesting herbicide-free alternative crop management enabling to increase soil coverage while reducing weeds
