EN
Paper presents the issues related to the function of cereal mixtures in crop rotation on the basis of recent literature review. Three types of cereal mixtures were considered: mixtures of different cereal species, mixtures of cereals with leguminous crops and mixtures of the varieties. Collected data showed that the value of the field after growing a mixture depended on the mixture composition (species and varieties) and sowing proportion. Good production results were obtained in the case of cereals- leguminous mixtures as well as cereal mixtures where the oat was one of components. Such mixtures introduced into crop rotation break the continuity of cereals and- as a consequence - attenuate the negative effects of frequent return of cereals on given field. That results from numerous positive changes in soil environment (more abundant biological life, lower concentration of toxic phenol compounds, etc.) and plant coverage (lower infestation by weeds and pathogens developing on the leaves and attacking stalk base). Three-variety mixtures of spring barley in following sovings gave relatively good results. However the inter-species mixtures consisting of barley and wheat as well as wheat and wheat-rye, gave definitely poor results.