Nitrogen fixation efficiency, interspecies N transfer, and root growth in barley-field pea intercrop on a Black Chernozemic soil

Abstract

Barley-field pea intercrops have been shown to increase N yield when grown under cryoboreal subhumid conditions. In this study, we extended previous research by testing the hypotheses that (1) the intercropped field pea fixes a greater proportion of its shoot and root N than does sole-cropped field pea; (2) N is transferred from the annual legume to the cereal during the growing season; and (3) root production is greater under intercropped than sole-cropped conditions. Unconfined microplots seeded to barley, field peas, or a barley-field pea intercrop were fertilized with N at 10 kg ha-1 as (NH4)2SO4 (5.21 atom % 15N excess). Both the intercropped and sole-cropped barley derived more than 93% of their N from the soil. In contrast, 40% of N in the intercropped field pea was derived from soil. This study provided no evidence for transfer of N from the legume to the cereal. On average, the proportion of N derived from air by both pea intercrops was 39% higher than that derived by the sole-cropped pea. Root length determined by a grid intersection method following digitization using an image analyzer tended to be higher under intercropping than in sole crops. We conclude that even on fertile soils benefits may accrue from annual intercropping that includes a legume. The benefits arise from (1) increased N production, (2) greater N-fixation efficiency, and/or (3) more shoot and root residue-N mineralization for subsequent crops.