Influence of legumes on soil fertility in strawberry – legume intercropping

Abstract

Legumes are becoming more popular in food and feed consumption. They are promoted by EU policy related to healthy lifestyle and environmental policy. Legumes can be grown in crop rotation as monocrop or in different kind of intercropping systems. It is a well known fact that legumes play an important role in fixation of the atmospheric N, whereas their influence on other biological and chemical aspects of the soil ecosystem is only explored partially. The experimental trial was established at the Pūre Horticultural Research Centre with the aim of studying the influence of legumes on the soil properties in the intercrop with strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). Different genotypes were included in the trial as intercrops: two local broad bean (Vicia faba var. major L.) genotypes, two pea (Pissum sativum L.) cultivars and clover (Trifolium hybridum L.). Two control treatments were included in the trial: with and without nitrogen fertilizer usage. Strawberries were planted in May of 2014 and maintained in the field for three years. Results showed that there were significant differences between treatments in soil respiration rate (SRR) and SRR dynamic throughout the experiment time. Dehydrogenase activity had similar results, though no significant differences between treatments were observed in the third year. No significant difference between treatments was found in the soil organic matter. Obtained data shows that legumes have a significant influence on the soil biological properties but not on biochemical properties. Further research needs to be carried out to determine legume influence on soil environment in more detail.

Plant-parasitic nematodes of strawberry in Egypt: a review

“…Festival compared with the untreated control (El-Habashy 2010). Also, the influence of legumes on the soil properties in the intercrop with strawberries was studied (Dane et al 2017). So, broad bean (Vicia faba), pea (Pissum sativum), and clover (Trifolium hybridum) were intercropped with strawberries.…”

“…Results showed that there were significant differences between treatments in soil respiration rate (SRR) and SRR dynamic throughout the experiment time. The intercropping showed that legumes have a significant impact on the biological but not biochemical soil properties (Dane et al 2017). Meanwhile, technical assessment of nematode-plant interaction should be adequately addressed (Abd-Elgawad 2016b).…”

Salt stress tolerance mechanisms and potential applications of legumes for sustainable reclamation of salt‐degraded soils

“…In addition to the significant contribution of legumes to the uptake of salt ions, growing legumes improves soil chemical, physical, and biological properties; however, the extents of these soil improvements depend mainly on the type of legumes used. For example, forage legumes are much effective in improving soil quality than annual grain legumes due to their longer growth period, deeper and larger root system, and greater SNF capacity, enabling them to produce large quantities of organic matter and N in the soils (Bardgett, Mamer, & De Vries, 2014;Dane, Laugale, Lepse, & Siliņa, 2017). The deep and large root system of legumes opens the ways that help increase soil porosity and promote air movement and water drainage even in deeper layers of soils (Bardgett et al, 2014;Dane et al, 2017).…”

“…For example, forage legumes are much effective in improving soil quality than annual grain legumes due to their longer growth period, deeper and larger root system, and greater SNF capacity, enabling them to produce large quantities of organic matter and N in the soils (Bardgett, Mamer, & De Vries, 2014;Dane, Laugale, Lepse, & Siliņa, 2017). The deep and large root system of legumes opens the ways that help increase soil porosity and promote air movement and water drainage even in deeper layers of soils (Bardgett et al, 2014;Dane et al, 2017). In addition, legume root exudates, including carbohydrates and proteins, can increase soil aggregation and reduce soil erosion and crusts (Bardgett et al, 2014;Van Eerd et al, 2013).…”

No-Till Technology as a Factor of Activity of Soil Invertebrate in Agricultural Chernozems of Stavropol Region

“…Черви на полях с удобрениями были выявлены только на делянках гороха. Известно, что при включении в севооборот бобовых численность червей существенно возрастает (26). На полях без внесения удобрений в нашем исследовании люмбрициды A. caliginosa встречались практически на всех делянках под большей частью культур в обоих вариантах обработки почвы.…”