Impact of crop stand, Rhizobium inoculation, and foliar fertilization on pea root parameters

Abstract

SummaryEcological intensification of crop production involves the use of intercrops and the rational use of inoculation and fertilization in case of intercrops including legume species. The root system plays an important role in the productivity of crops. Therefore, effects of the inoculation treatments (Nitragina) or foliar fertilization (Photrel) or a combination of both were assessed on root parameters of pea grown as pure stand or intercrops with linseed or wheat in a 3-year experiment in Poland. Crop stand composition influenced the root parameters of pea with a higher root length density (RLD) in the root fractions of 0.1–1 mm of pea in pea/linseed intercrops than in the pure stand, a higher mean root diameter (MRD) in pure pea and intercrops of pea with linseed than with wheat, and also a tendency of a higher root dry matter (RDM) in pure pea and pea/linseed than in pea/wheat in 2 out of the 3 years. RLD was higher with Photrel than with Nitragina in root fractions of 0.1–0.5 mm. Treatments did not affect the MRD, but a combination of Nitragina + Photrel increased the RDM in 1 year. Intercropping of pea with linseed and the application of a foliar fertilizer might be a strategy to improve pea root characteristics.

Bioinoculants as a means of increasing crop tolerance to drought and phosphorus deficiency in legume-cereal intercropping systems

“…3 ). For example, root length, density, mean root diameter, and root dry weight were more enhanced in pea-linseed intercropping compared to pure pea stand or pea-wheat, under Rhizobium inoculation 64 . Moreover, cropping system composition, P fertilization as well as, a microbial consortia-inoculant ( R. irregularis , Streptomyces sp.…”

Energy Efficiency of Oat:Pea Intercrops Affected by Sowing Ratio and Nitrogen Fertilization

“…Yields and nutrient uptake were more enhanced by broiler litter compared to chemical fertilization [2,3]. The intercropping of pea with linseed could improve the root length density and root dry matter of pea [4]. Intercrops are extensively grown in traditional, labor-intensive, small-scale farming systems in tropical countries where their advantages will be higher than in temperate regions [5].…”