Two field trials (2017 and 2018) evaluated the performance of barley-pea mixed cropping by comparing different sowing densities (replacement design) and tailoring N fertilization on barley sowing density (split-plot design). High and Low N inputs were applied to whole plots whereas barley and pea, as pure and in mixed crops, were applied to subplots. The 2017 trial suggested the occurrence of an interaction between soil physical properties and N fertilization. Therefore, in 2018 a pedological survey allowed the soil effect to be included in the ANOVA model applied to evaluate crop performance parameters, showing that N fertilization positively affected barley performance only in the soil unit located downslope. A significantly lower presence of weeds was observed in mixed crops rather than in pea pure crops. Overall, increasing pea density and reducing barley density in mixed crops, and tailoring N fertilization were effective approaches to obtain a more balanced mixed grain at harvest. The combination of crop performance evaluation and assessments of soil conditions suggested that more sustainable agricultural systems, based on mixed cropping and a significant reduction of N fertilizers and herbicides, can be achieved with barley-pea mixed cropping as an alternative to pure cropping systems.
Comparisons among barley-pea mixed crop combinations in a replacement design as related to N fertilization and soil variation / Tavoletti, Stefano; Cocco, Stefania; Corti, Giuseppe. - In: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. - ISSN 2045-2322. - 13:1(2023). [10.1038/s41598-023-43050-9]
Comparisons among barley-pea mixed crop combinations in a replacement design as related to N fertilization and soil variation
Tavoletti, Stefano
Primo
;Cocco, Stefania;Corti, Giuseppe
2023-01-01
Abstract
Two field trials (2017 and 2018) evaluated the performance of barley-pea mixed cropping by comparing different sowing densities (replacement design) and tailoring N fertilization on barley sowing density (split-plot design). High and Low N inputs were applied to whole plots whereas barley and pea, as pure and in mixed crops, were applied to subplots. The 2017 trial suggested the occurrence of an interaction between soil physical properties and N fertilization. Therefore, in 2018 a pedological survey allowed the soil effect to be included in the ANOVA model applied to evaluate crop performance parameters, showing that N fertilization positively affected barley performance only in the soil unit located downslope. A significantly lower presence of weeds was observed in mixed crops rather than in pea pure crops. Overall, increasing pea density and reducing barley density in mixed crops, and tailoring N fertilization were effective approaches to obtain a more balanced mixed grain at harvest. The combination of crop performance evaluation and assessments of soil conditions suggested that more sustainable agricultural systems, based on mixed cropping and a significant reduction of N fertilizers and herbicides, can be achieved with barley-pea mixed cropping as an alternative to pure cropping systems.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
Tavoletti_Comparisons-among-barley–pea-mixed-crop_2023.pdf
accesso aperto
Tipologia:
Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza d'uso:
Creative commons
Dimensione
1.53 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
1.53 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.