Field pea/spring triticale mixtures influenced iron and manganese concentrations in soil and forage plant uptake

Abstract

AbstractThe use of legumes for cultivation in mixtures with cereals has a positive effect not only on the yield of green mass but also on its chemical composition. This research evaluated the influence of different seeding rate proportions of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) with spring triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm.) at different growth stages on Fe and Mn contents in soil and plants. The two factors examined in the study were as follows: proportional seeding rate of components in the mixture (kg ha−1)—field pea/spring triticale 240:0, 180:55, 120:110, 60:165, and 0:220; and harvest stage—field pea flowering versus field pea flat green pod. The greatest soil contents of Fe at 952 mg kg−1 and Mn at 102.2 mg kg−1 were found in the soil at 0–30 cm depth following harvest of field pea. The greatest dry matter concentrations of Fe at 146 mg kg−1 and Mn at 68.5 mg kg−1 in the mixtures were determined in the forage of field pea/spring triticale at 180:55 harvested at the field pea flat green pod stage. The field experiment demonstrated that a 180:55 mixture of pea and spring triticale should be recommended for cultivation. This mixture provides the greatest Fe and Mn content in soil and forage for cattle.