Fuente: PubMed "pollination" Sci Rep. 2026 Jun 20. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-58572-1. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTIntercropping has emerged as a promising strategy to improve agroecosystem biodiversity and mitigate some adverse effects associated with intensive monoculture systems. This study evaluated weed infestation and biodiversity responses in a Paulownia-buckwheat intercropping system compared with buckwheat monoculture under the environmental conditions of southwestern Poland. Weed species composition, abundance, and biomass were assessed at different growth stages of buckwheat. Selected agroecosystem components, including soil microorganisms, soil mesofauna, and pollinator abundance, were evaluated. The intercropping system increased Collembola diversity and Acari abundance, while higher diversity and richness of segetal plant species were also observed compared with monoculture. Higher bacterial abundance and dehydrogenase activity were recorded under intercropping, whereas fungal community composition remained generally stable between cultivation systems. Several melliferous weed species were identified within the intercropping system, potentially supporting pollinator activity. Although no statistically significant differences were observed in pollinator-related parameters, nectar productivity and sugar availability tended to be higher under intercropping conditions, suggesting that the Paulownia-buckwheat system may contribute to maintaining pollinator activity and supporting agroecosystem biodiversity. No significant differences in buckwheat yield or biometric traits were found between cultivation systems. Overall, the results indicate that Paulownia-buckwheat intercropping may enhance selected components of agroecosystem biodiversity without reducing crop productivity.PMID:42323350 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-58572-1