Abstract
This research evaluated the NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) and GAI (green area index) in order to indicate the productivity and developmental effects of <em>Rhizobium inoculants</em> and microelement foliar fertilizer on pea crops. Two inoculants, Nitragina (a commercial inoculant) and IUNG (a noncommercial inoculant gel) and a foliar fertilizer (Photrel) were studied over a 4-year period, 2009–2012. The cultivars chosen for the studies were characterized by different foliage types, namely a semileafless pea ‘Tarchalska’ and one with regular foliage, ‘Klif’. Foliar fertilizer significantly increased the length of the generative shoots and the number of fruiting nodes in comparison to the control, which in turn had a negative impact on the harvest index. Pea seed yield was highly dependent on the interaction between the years of growth and the microbial inoculant, and was greater for ‘Tarchalska’ (4.33 t ha<sup>−1</sup>). Presowing inoculation of seeds and foliar fertilization resulted in a significantly higher value of GAI at the flowering (3.91 and 3.81, respectively) and maturity stages (4.82 and 4.77, respectively), whereas the value of NDVI was higher for these treatments only at the maturity stage (0.67 and 0.79, respectively). A significantly greater yield (5.0–5.4 t ha<sup>−1</sup>) was obtained after inoculation with IUNG during the dry years.
Highlights
Nodulation and nitrogen fixation of legumes are very important processes in natural ecosystems, agriculture, and the global circulation of nitrogen [1]
Application of a bacterial inoculant (IUNG) considerably increased seed yield from a single plant by 14.1% and its total mass by 11.9% compared to the control
Nitragina exerted a weaker effect than did IUNG inoculation, for its application caused a slight increase in properties associated with pea yield
Summary
Nodulation and nitrogen fixation of legumes are very important processes in natural ecosystems, agriculture, and the global circulation of nitrogen [1]. Leguminous plants are cultivated on approximately 12–15% of the world’s arable lands, constituting about 25% of basic plant production and they provide 200 million tons of nitrogen a year [2]. Pea is an important food source for man and fodder for animals. New and more productive cultivars of pea species are constantly being developed. To the obvious potential of those with increased yields, it is crucial to understand the interaction between the pea plant (host) and rhizobia and its impact on yield. Zając et al [3] have shown no effect of the inoculant Nitragina on the yield of pea seeds, indicating that weather conditions (notably observed drought or hydration)
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