FORAGE YIELD AND PROTEIN CONTENT OF DIFFERENT FIELD PEA CULTIVARS AND OAT MIXTURES GROWN AS WINTER CROPS

Abstract

Monoculture and intensive use of mechanization and inorganic chemicals are leading to degradation and
 erosion of our soils and agro-ecosystems. At the same time, the production of animal feeds that are rich in
 protein is constantly decreasing in many European countries. Modest cultivation needs, favorable content of
 nutrients, and beneficial effect on the environment, make field pea and oat mixtures promising crops to tackle
 these issues. In three growing seasons and without irrigation or fertilisation, we have examined two basic field
 pea cultivars (Kosmaj, OS Adam) and one leafless cultivar (OS Letin) intercropped with oat (NS Jadar), with
 seeding rates, field pea: oat – 100:10%; 100:20%. Results have shown that basic type cultivars have better
 overall development and higher yields compared to leafless cultivar, whether grown as single crops or in the
 mixture. Basic cultivars (OS Adam, Kosmaj) achieved higher protein content, compared to cultivar Letin,
 163.9 g kg-1
 , 153.3 g kg-1
 , 136 g kg-1
 , respectively. Yields were higher in 100:20% mixtures, compared to
 100:10% mixtures and single grown crops, and we conclude that intercropping these species is superior to
 cultivating them separately. Protein content wasn’t significantly different between two seeding rates, thus seed
 rates shouldn’t be lower than 100:20%.