Effect of Irrigation, Nitrogen Fertilization and Amino Acid Biostimulant on Proximate Composition and Energy Value of Pisum sativum L. Seeds

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of biological and agricultural conditions on the chemical composition and energy value of pea seeds for poultry feed. In the experiment, the species assessed was pea (Pisum sativum L.), a determinate form, cultivar (cv.) Cysterski. During the field experiment, the response of peas to the following experimental factors was assessed: first factor—irrigation (yes, no), second factor—nitrogen fertilization (0, 20 and 40 kg N·ha−1), third factor—amino acid biostimulant (yes, no). In both years of experiments, representative seed samples were collected, in which the chemical composition was assessed for the content of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and nitrogen free extract. Additionally, in order to assess the suitability of the evaluated pea seeds as poultry feed, the energy value expressed in the form of apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) was estimated. The protein content in pea seeds increased after the application of the biostimulant, both with and without irrigation. Statistically significant differences in the crude fiber content in pea seeds were found under the influence of the interaction of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization. The use of the biostimulant significantly increased the energy value of pea seeds.