Promoting diversification within the farming system increases biodiversity and results in greater land use efficiency and higher overall farm yield while enhancing carbon sequestration, especially when trees are included. Within a PQNK system, it is important to consider multiple strategies for achieving greater crop biodiversity. Introducing cover crops between seasons or using crop associations such as intercropping, alley cropping, relay cropping, and under-sowing are valuable options. As raised beds need to be permanently covered with organic mulch, diversification strategies can provide the needed amount of biomass to keep the soil covered all throughout the year. Crop diversification also reduces farmers’ economic vulnerability and the risks connected to crop failures.
