The aftereffect of winter wheat on pea yield, nitrogen surplus and nitrogen use efficiency in different cropping systems

Ivo Voor,Evelin Loit,Maarika Alaru,Viacheslav Eremeev

doi:10.23986/afsci.89726

Abstract

The present study is part of a framework for researching the use of the field pea in cropping systems in order to improve its economic and environmental output. The specific aim was to investigate the effect of differently fertilised preceding winter wheat on subsequent field pea output in the same crop rotation. The field experiment was conducted in Tartu county, Estonia, in 2012–2017. Seven different cropping systems were investigated: four conventional with different treatments of mineral nitrogen fertilisers and three organic including catch crops and cattle manure treatment. The DM yield of field pea in winter wheat mineral N treatments 50–150 kg N ha-1 was 2699–2852 kg ha-1, which was 33% higher than in the organic systems. There were no significant differences (p < 0.05) in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and N surplus between 50–150 kg N ha-1. The first 20 kg ha-1 mineral N with P25 and K95 gave a significantly higher pea yield compared to the treatment without mineral N. The catch crops reduced agronomic NUE and increased N surplus in the organic cropping systems.

Highlights

The field pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a protein crop grown for humans and animal consumption
The bulk density of the soil layer was determined by converting soil total N% (10g N kg-1) to content Nsoil equation (3), which is better to compare when all other N contents are given in kg per hectare: Nsoil = BD x V
The aftereffect of three different mineral N treatments of winter wheat had the same impact on the subsequent pea crop: N50, N100 and N150 gave 2699–2852 kg ha-1 grain dry matter yield (DMY)

Summary

Introduction

The field pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a protein crop grown for humans and animal consumption. While harvested pea grain seed is important as a foodstuff, the N accumulation of shoots and roots is valuable for N recovery in the soil. These pea residues contain a considerable amount of N, which will be available for the subsequent crop. Field peas can fix atmospheric N2 up to 200 kg ha-1 and approximately half of the fixed N remains in the soil and reduces the N-fertiliser demand of subsequent crops (French 2016). Increasing NUE and limiting N-fertiliser use are both important and challenging for the preservation of the environment and improvement of sustainable and productive agriculture (Masclaux-Daubresse et al 2010)

Methods

Results

Conclusion