Exploring equipment management logics for species mixtures insights from agronomy

Exploring equipment management logics for species mixtures insights from agronomy | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Exploring equipment management logics for species mixtures insights from agronomy Esther Fouillet, Laurent Bedoussac, Nassim Hamiti, Annabelle Revel, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7053604/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Species mixtures are a key lever for the agroecological transition, as they allow to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining yields. Farmers face challenges in implementing them, however – especially technical difficulties and constraints related to cultivation and post-harvest sorting machinery. This study explores farmers’ agricultural equipment fleet management logics in the context of species mixture cultivation. Our research methodology draws on the innovation tracking approach. Data were collected through interviews with 13 farmers cultivating species mixtures across France. Using concepts from systems agronomy, we examined: (i) the characteristics and management of mixtures, as farmers consider them when selecting and using equipment, (ii) the technical features of the machinery used – including modifications and farmer-driven innovations – and (iii) farmers’ overall logic for managing their machinery fleets. Three main findings emerged. First, we identified six categories of species mixtures, characterized according to their component species’ spatial arrangement and sowing depth – two aspects that, from farmers’ perspective, are closely linked to machinery management strategies. For instance, in one category, species are sown in the same row and at the same depth, while in another, they are sown in alternating rows at different depths. Second, we found that all farmers used a wide range of equipment to manage and sort the mixtures, with many having modified or improvised tools, especially for sowing. For example, one farmer adapted a seed drill to sow wheat and faba bean at two different depths. Third, our interviews showed three contrasting machinery management logics: (i) cost minimization by reusing existing equipment, (ii) adapting sowing practices to the biological characteristics of species, and (iii) equipment choices shaped by local resources. This study offers a new approach to understanding the role of agricultural machinery in species mixture management and provides insights that can support stakeholders in the development of this agroecological practice. Intercrop Agricultural machinery Tracking innovation Tinkering Adaptability Typology Full Text Supplementary Files Supplementarymaterial1.docx Supplementarymaterial2.docx Supplementarymaterial3.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 16 Jul, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 16 Jul, 2025 Editor invited by journal 15 Jul, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 09 Jul, 2025 First submitted to journal 05 Jul, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7053604","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":486249718,"identity":"b5a0d0c7-cc5c-4c5f-be08-bc92c5de1f82","order_by":0,"name":"Esther 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