Seed Rate and Cultivar Effect on Contribution of Vicia sativa L. Green Manure to Soil Amendment under Mediterranean Conditions

Evangelia Tigka,Dimitrios Bilalis,Chrysanthi Pankou,Dimitrios Beslemes,Dimitrios N Vlachostergios,Ioanna Kakabouki,Ioannis Tokatlidis

doi:10.3390/agriculture11080733

Evangelia Tigka, Dimitrios Bilalis + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11080733

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Abstract

The performance of Vicia sativa L. cultivars and cultivar mixtures used as green manure under two seed rates in a Mediterranean environment was investigated in a split plot design, over the period 2014–2016. Six common vetch cultivars grown in pure stands or in mixtures were established at two seed rates (S1 = 100 Kg ha−1 and S2 = 180 kg ha−1). Growth traits (e.g., plant height, biomass yield, LAI, CGR) were monitored until incorporation into topsoil. The nitrogen (N) concentration of the incorporated biomass along with the decomposition rate were determined, and the effects on the N supply to the soil were evaluated two, four and six months after biomass incorporation. The increment in residual soil Ν four months after green manuring fluctuated from 17 to 45 kg ha−1 among cultivars, and after six months, from 22 to 50 kg ha−1. The average decomposition rate of organic substances was slightly higher for S2 for all time intervals; however the highest value (62.6%) was recorded for S1 six months after biomass incorporation. Seed rate-independent genotypes were identified with regard to the decomposition of organic matter and are suggested as being suitable for green-manuring farming systems with a low seed rate, a fact that offers options with economic and environmental benefits.

Highlights

The knowledge of being on the verge of global climate change and the assumption that one of the main driving forces behind these changes is overwhelmingly of anthropogenic origin leads us to the adoption of cultivation strategies that will play a key role in sustainable land use
Significant differences (p < 0.05) for plant height were detected between the two seed rates (S1 : 92.12 cm vs. S2 : 101.21 cm) averaged across genotypes, while significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the cultivars and mixtures within each seed rate, suggesting that genotype had a significant effect on plant height
Concerning plant height, the obtained results show that when the comparison was applied within cultivars, very few differences could be attributed to the seed rate effect; significant differences were detected among the genotypes within each seed rate

Summary

Introduction

The knowledge of being on the verge of global climate change and the assumption that one of the main driving forces behind these changes is overwhelmingly of anthropogenic origin leads us to the adoption of cultivation strategies that will play a key role in sustainable land use In this context, the introduction of traditional agricultural practices such as green manuring may represent a viable and robust path to increase productivity and sustainability and preserve the planet’s natural resources for future generations to come. Legumes enhance the availability and conservation of N for subsequent crops either via the slow release of N from decomposing green manure residues or through the mineralization of soil N pools [14] This has a direct impact on the reduction in the excessive application of synthetic N fertilizer, which has caused serious environmental damage, including soil deterioration, inefficient fertilizer use, and nitrate contamination of surface and groundwater [15]

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