Cultures intercalaires avec arbres feuillus : quel potentiel pour le Québec?

Abstract

Hardwood plantations constitute a good opportunity to intensify the production of high-quality timber. However, in the absence of short-term investment returns, their economic benefits seem uncertain for landowners. Intercropping systems, which are stimulating interest in many temperate countries, could constitute an innovative way to increase the use of hardwood plantations and maximize their profitability, in particular in the mixedwood plain ecozone in Quebec. Results from recent studies show that intercrops do not usually affect tree growth and could even stimulate it in some cases. Furthermore, in addition to their various environmental benefits related to soil fertility, biodiversity and landscape, intercropping systems are quite often more profitable than conventional forest plantations. Finally, even though trees can compete with crops for light, water and nutriments, decreasing crop productivity, the technical itinerary specific to intercropping systems allows for the control of at least part of this competition. The development perspectives of intercropping systems are discussed, taking into account the biophysical and socio-economic context specific to the mixedwood plain ecozone in Quebec. Key words: environmental benefits, high-value wood, resource competition, tree growth, mixedwood plain ecozone, technical itinerary, hardwood plantation, crop productivity, profitability, intercropping systems