# Functionally rich crop rotations increase calorie and macronutrient outputs across Europe

## TL;DR

Diverse crop rotations in Europe can boost calorie and nutrient production without harming food security.

## Contribution

The study shows functionally rich crop rotations increase food output compared to cereal monocultures.

## Key findings

- Rotations with three crop types produced more calories and macronutrients than monocultures.
- Functionally rich rotations provided nutrient proportions closer to recommended human diets.
- Benefits increased over time but were lost when forage crops were used for beef or biofuel.

## Abstract

Increased crop diversity in cereal-dominated rotations can enhance crop protection, nutrient use efficiency and climate change adaptation. Nevertheless, it is argued that replacing cereals in rotations diminishes food production, threatening food security. Here we compared outputs of calories and macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) for human consumption from cereal monocultures, cereal-only rotations and rotations including two or three functionally distinct crop types (cereals plus root and oil crops, legumes or ley) in 16 long-term experiments across Europe. Rotations with three functional types produced more calories and macronutrients than cereal monocultures and cereal-only rotations with forage crops used to produce milk. Carbohydrate gains depended on growing conditions and crop choice. Advantages increased over time but were lost with forage crops used for beef or biofuel. Functionally rich rotations provided macronutrient proportions closer to recommended human diets. Our analysis shows no trade-off between functionally rich rotations and food production or agricultural land expansion.

While the benefits of crop diversity are known, doubts remain as to whether replacing cereals in rotations reduces nutrient production. A comparison of 16 long-term field experiments across Europe shows no trade-off between functionally rich rotations and food productivity.