The present paper covers the results of studies carried out in 1998-2001 on a good rye soil complex at the Mochełek Experiment Station which involved spring barley – winter wheat crop rotation link. There were evaluated the effects of companion crops of catch crop on the yield of spring barley (a cover crop) and winter wheat (a successive crop) as well as on the productivity of the link: spring cereal – winter cereal. Also green matter yield of companion crops was defined and their effect on cereals depending on precipitation and its distribution. Companion crops yielding, especially Fabaceae, varied greatly over the study years. It was found that the highest yield of green matter, both upon spring barley harvest and post-harvest regrowth, was noted for chicory and Italian ryegrass. Companion crops of white clover and serradella, despite lower yields, increased the productivity of spring barley – winter wheat crop rotation link by 1.5-4.1% and chicory and Italian ryegrass decreased it by 5.3-8.7%.

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