Plastic-covered ridge-furrow planting increases pea (Pisum sativum L.) grain yield and rainwater use efficiency

Abstract

ABSTRACT Drought is the most important cause of plant yield reduction in dry areas. Plastic mulch is one of the methods of maintaining soil moisture in these areas. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of plastic mulch and planting beds on rainwater use efficiency and yield in pea over two years. The experimental factors included plastic mulch (without plastic, plastic on the plant, and plastic on the soil) and planting bed (flat planting, planting in a 50 cm furrow, and planting in a 100 cm furrow). The results showed that the treatment of plastic mulch on the soil with planting in 50 cm furrows in the first year had the highest seed number per pod, single plant weight, fresh weight of empty pods, fresh pod yield, harvest index, leaf stomatal conductance, and rainwater use efficiency. Plastic mulch on the soil with planting in 50 cm furrows in the second year had the highest seed number per pod, leaf stomatal conductance, and soil moisture at a depth of 20 cm. In conclusion, plastic mulch with planting in a 50 cm furrow for the production of pea in dry and semi-dry conditions is recommended.