Efficacy of starter N fertilizer and rhizobia inoculant in dry pea (Pisum sativum Linn.) production in a semi-arid temperate environment. Issue 3 (4th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Jinwen; Keshavarz Afshar, Reza; Tao, Aifen; Chen, Chengci
• Is Part Of: Soil science and plant nutrition. Volume 63:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 248
• Page End: 253
• Publication Date: 2017-05-04
• Subjects: grain legumes -- inoculation -- Pisum sativum -- protein -- slow-release N -- soil nitrate; Soil science -- Periodicals; Plants -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; 631.4
• DOI: 10.1080/00380768.2017.1315834
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-0768

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Uncertainties exist about the importance of rhizobia inoculant and starter nitrogen (N) application in dry pea ( Pisum sativum L.) production. Three field experiments were conducted to evaluate how rhizobia inoculant and starter N fertilizer affect pea seed yield and protein concentration in a semi-arid environment in central Montana. Commercial rhizobia inoculant was mixed with seed prior to planting at the manufacturer's recommended rate. Starter N fertilizers were applied into the same furrow as seed at 0, 22, 44 and 88 kg ha − 1 as urea, slow-release polymer-coated N fertilizer (ESN), and a combination of both. The application of rhizobia inoculant had no or a very small beneficial effect on pea yield in lands with a previous history of peas. In a land without pea history, application of rhizobia increased pea seed yield by 16%. The positive effect of starter N was only pronounced when initial soil N was low (≤ 10 kg ha −1 nitrate-nitrogen), which increased net return by up to US$ 42 ha − 1 . In this condition, application of slow-release N outperformed urea. However, application of starter N (especially with urea) had a negative effect on pea establishment, vigor and seed yield when soil initial N was high (≥ 44 kg ha −1 NO3 -N). The results indicate that the rate, placement and form of the starter N must be optimized to benefit pea yield and protein without detrimental effects on germination and nodulation. Moreover, application of starter N must be guided by the soil nitrate content.