Pure sowings versus mixtures of winter cereal species as an effective option for fodder–grain production in temperate zone

• In the field experiment we studied the growth and yields of winter cereal mixtures.
• During growth in mixture, height convergence of cereals was noted.
• Culm length was more responsive to the mixed sowings than ears length.
• Winter cereal mixtures had higher yields than the pure crops.
• In a temperate climate the winter cereal mixtures are a good solution for fodder.

In a three-year field experiment carried out from 2006–2009 in the temperate climate of Central Europe, the growth and yield of four species of winter cereals, namely, barley, rye, wheat and triticale and their four mixtures (barley + rye and wheat + triticale; each mixture of two shares: 67% + 33% and 50% + 50%), were compared. Mixed sowings proved to be an effective agro-technological option for a sustainable agriculture in the region. Mixed sowings of winter cereals yielded approximately 0.94 Mg ha−1 more, as compared to pure sowings, especially in the cooler and wetter growing seasons. In each of the mixtures, height convergence occurred, specifically a shortening of the long-culmed cereal species and an increase in the length of the short-culmed species. It resulted in improved resistance of the canopy to lodging, and an increase in the production of feed grain, in comparison to cereals in the pure sowings.Such a system of interactions between cereals in mixtures resulted in a land equivalent ratio of >1. The length and productivity of the inflorescences and also the harvest index were mostly species-specific. A 50:50 share of species was more effective for the rye and barley mixture, whereas 67:33 was better for the mixture of wheat and triticale. In the mixture, rye showed increased competitiveness as compared to barley.