Abstract
Improved prediction of biological N2 fixation by grain and forage legume crops will help the design of more efficient, sustainable agricultural systems. We used field pea (Pisum sativum L.) as an example and focused during model development on inputs that are relatively easy to measure. We propose a new algorithm, which uses the aboveground biomass of legume crops to estimate the N2 fixation rate and have incorporated it into the SPACSYS model. The model was parameterized for field pea and validated against published data from two northern European sites in Dijon, France, and Copenhagen, Denmark. The model simulated the dynamic processes of N2 fixation, N accumulation, and aboveground dry matter accumulation of field pea. Sensitivity analysis showed that N2 fixation at Dijon was very sensitive to low temperature and photosynthetic rate and that a larger green leaf area and faster establishment in young pea plants coupled with a high photosynthetic rate would enhance N2 fixation. We suggest that cultivar breeding aimed at cold resistance and a higher photosynthetic rate could increase N2 fixation under a similar climate.
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