Modified Relay Intercropping involves the production of two different crops, with different growth and development requirements, in one growing season. In an MRI system, soybeans are planted into standing wheat between 20 and 30 days prior to wheat harvest. In addition to allowing the harvesting of two crops in the same year, the MRI cropping system has the potential to increase farm income while hedging production risk and protecting the environment at the same time. This system is well adapted to north central Ohio where summer rainfall will generally be from 12 to 20 inches.

For more information on the system go to the Agronomic fact sheet located at [http://ohioline.osu.edu/agf-fact/0504.html ohioline.osu.edu/ agf-fact/0504.html]. Additional information can be found at:

1. James E. Beuerlein and Colleagues. Profitable Wheat Management. (1990).

2. Bulletin 811. Agdex 112/10. Ohio State University Extension. The Ohio State University. Beuerlein, James. (2001).

3. Relay cropping wheat and soybeans. Fact Sheet AGF-106-01. Ohio State University Extension. The Ohio State University. Kline, A., McCoy, S., Vyn, T., West, T., Christmas, E. (2001).

4. Management considerations for relay intercropping: I. Wheat. Agronomy Guide. AY-315. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. McCoy, S., Vyn, T., Kline, A., West, T., Christmas, E. (2001).

5. Management considerations for relay intercropping: II. Soybean. Agronomy Guide. AY-316. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. Ohio Agronomy Guide. 13th Edition (1995).

6. Bulletin 472. Ohio State University Extension. The Ohio State University. Prochaska, S. C. (2003).

7. Three-year summary of effect of modified relay intercropping on wheat yield in 15-inch rows. Rzewnicki, P. (Ed.) Agronomic Crops Team On-Farm Research Projects, 2002.

8. Special Circular 190. Wooster: Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. The Ohio State University. Prochaska, S. C. (2001).

9. Effect of row width on wheat yield in a modified relay intercropping system. Rzewnicki, P. (Ed.) Agronomic Crops Team On-Farm Research Projects, 2000. Special Circular 179. Wooster: Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. The Ohio State University. Prochaska, S. C. (2001).

10. Evaluation of USDA soybean inoculate in a modified relay intercropping system. Rzewnicki, P. (Ed.) Agronomic Crops Team On-Farm Research Projects, 2000.

11. Special Circular 179. Wooster: Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. The Ohio State University. Prochaska, S. C. (2001).

12. Modified relay intercropping. 110th Annual Meeting of Ohio Academy of Sciences. Alliance: Mount Union College. Prochaska, S. C. (2000).

13. Effects of intercropping and tramlines on wheat yield. Rzewnicki, P. (Ed.) Agronomic Crops Team On-Farm Research Projects, 1999.

14. Special Circular 176. Wooster: Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. The Ohio State University. Prochaska, S.C. (1997).

15. Profitability plus environmental sustainability equals modified relay intercropping. Journal of Extension, 35(1).

“For more information on this or other topics related to soybean production, contact your state extension specialist or your local extension educator/agent.” The following is the link to the soybean extension specialists: state extension soybean specialist