CAHNRS > Washington Oilseed Cropping Systems > Alternative Production Techniques > Oilseed Intercropping

Oilseed Intercropping

Intercroppped field.

Intercropping is the practice of planting more than one cash crop in the same field at the same time. Oilseeds such as canola, camelina, and flax are typically intercropped with legumes such as garbanzo beans, peas, and lentils. It is thought that the legumes furnish nitrogen to the oilseed crops while the oilseed crops compete with weeds and use moisture not readily accessible to legumes. Additionally, there appear to be beneficial shifts in insect ecology and soil microbial populations.

  • Stubbs, L.R., S. Singh, S. Singh, D. Wysocki, G.C. Heineck, and H. Neely. 2026. Evaluating the Yield and Land-Use Efficiency of Pea-Canola Intercrops in Eastern Washington’s Intermediate Rainfall Zone. pg. 61-62. In 2026 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 26-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Stubbs., L.R., S. Singh, S. Singh, D. Wysocki, G.C. Heineck, and H.L. Neely. 2026. Investigating the Impact of Pea-Canola Intercrops on Soil Health in Eastern Washington’s Intermediate Rainfall Zone. pg. 68-69. In 2026 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 26-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Craine, W. and S. Singh. 2025. Pealina: Investigating the Intercrop Potential of Camelina and Pea. pg. 43-44. In 2025 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 25-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Stubbs, L.R., S. Singh, S. Singh, D. Wysocki, G. Heineck, and H. Neely. 2025. Optimizing Seed and Nitrogen Rates for Pea and Canola Intercropping in the Inland Pacific Northwest. pg. 47-48. In 2025 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 25-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Clark, R. and I. Madsen. 2021. Peaola Intercropping as a Pest and Beneficial Insect Management Tactic. pg. 62. In 2021 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 21-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Madsen, I.J and J. Ford. 2021. Peaola Yield and Land Equivalence Ratio Experiments. pg. 66. In 2021 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 21-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.

  • Stubbs, L. R., Heathman, A. E., Singh, S., Wysocki, D., Heineck, G. C., Esser, A. D., Neely, H. L., & Singh, S. (2026) Can “Peaola” Intercrops Produce More Grain on Less Land at Reduced Fertilizer Rates? [Abstract]. CANVAS 2026, Portland, OR.
  • Stubbs, L. R., Heathman, A. E., Singh, S., Wysocki, D., Heineck, G. C., Hansen, J. C., Esser, A. D., Neely, H. L., & Singh, S. (2026) Using “Peaola” Intercrops to Support Biological Soil Health In Semiarid Agroecosystems [Abstract]. CANVAS 2026, Portland, OR.
  • Desta, K., H. Collins, W. Pan, S. Fransen, S. Norberg, and D. Llewellyn. 2012. Double-Cropping Irrigated Biennial Canola with Green Pea for Biodiesel Feedstock, Crop Diversification, and Animal Feed. Poster. Northwest Bioenergy Research Symposium. Seattle, WA. Nov. 13, 2012.

  • 2013 Oilseed Production and Marketing Conference
    • Intercropping Canola and Triticale to Increase Forage Yields
      Chelsea Walsh, Clark Neely and Jack Brown, University of Idaho