Nitrogen fertilizer and faba bean density as sources of nitrogen supply in sustainable production of forage corn
Journal Title: Iranian Journal of Pulses Research - Year 2022, Vol 13, Issue 2
Abstract
IntroductionSome studies have reported that application of chemical fertilizers, especially nitrogen, is one of the most appropriate methods to increase crop production and maintain food security in the world. However, it should also be noted that the improper use of nitrogen fertilizers can disrupt natural ecosystems. Alternative methods can be used to prevent this, such as the use of plants with biological nitrogen fixation (e.g., legumes). Faba bean is one of the most important varieties of this family (Fabaceae) and contains 24-30% protein and 51-68% carbohydrates. This plant is one of the most important spices of the genus (Vicia) and has a high yield compared to other legumes. Due to its environmental, economic and agroecological performance, faba bean can improve the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems. Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important annual cereals. However, maize cultivation is not economical because it requires nitrogen fertilizer, and improper use of nitrogen also increases ecosystem instability. Incorporating legumes into cropping systems is critical for sustainable management of agricultural systems and reducing nitrogen fertilizer requirements for corn production. Materials and MethodsA two-year experiment was conducted in 2018-2019 as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, university of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. The experimental treatments were different plant densities of faba bean (25, 35, 40 and 80 plants m-2) and different nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1) of forage corn. In this experiment, the faba bean variety Shadan was planted and manually harvested at the physiological maturity stage. The corn variety was a single cross hybrid 201, which was planted at a density of 80000 plants ha-1 in the rows with faba bean residues. At the V5 stage of corn, N fertilizer (as urea) was applied in 3 stages. Three corn plants were harvested at the milk stage and then oven dried at 70°C for 72 h and weighed. Traits studied in this experiment included chlorophyll index, plant height, root nodule dry weight, root dry weight, number of root nodules, and grain yield in faba bean, and chlorophyll index, protein harvest index, plant height, number of leaves per plant, physiological nitrogen efficiency, nitrogen uptake efficiency, and dry matter yield in forage corn. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SAS 9.4 software, and significant differences between treatment means were tested using the Duncan's Multiple Range Test at P< 0.05. Results and DiscussionFaba beanThe highest grain yield (g m-2), plant height (cm) and chlorophyll index of faba bean were obtained at the density of 80 plant m-2. At the densities of 25 and 35 plants m-2, the number of root nodules and the dry weight of root nodules (g) were the highest. As plant density increased, root dry weight (g m-2) also increased, so that the density of 80 plants m-2 had the highest root dry weight per m2. The highest fertility rate was observed at the densities of 80 and 40 plants m-2.CornOur results showed that the interaction between faba bean density and N fertilizer had effects on plant height, chlorophyll index, protein harvest index, physiological nitrogen efficiency, nitrogen uptake efficiency, and dry forage yield. The results of the mean comparisons showed that the highest dry forage yield was obtained at the density of 40 faba bean plants+200 kg N ha-1 an increase of 155% over the control treatment. The highest number of leaves was observed in the treatments at the density of 40 faba bean plants+100 kg N ha-1, at the density of 40 faba bean plants+200 kg N ha-1 and at the density of 35 faba bean plants+200 kg N ha-1. The density of 40 plant of faba bean+100 kg N ha-1 and the density of 40 plant of faba bean+200 kg N ha-1 had the highest plant height. The highest chlorophyll index was obtained at the the density of 40 faba bean plants+200 kg N ha-1. Finally, the results showed that employment of faba bean in rotation and non-application of nitrogen fertilizer increased nitrogen uptake efficiency of forage corn. ConclusionComparison of the different treatments showed that the density of 40 plants of faba bean and 200 kg N ha-1 was superior in most of the evaluated traits. Overall, the results suggest that the use of faba bean in crop rotation is an appropriate approach to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural systems, according to the results, the use of the density of 40 plants of faba bean and 200 kg N ha-1 were recommended under the same weather conditions.
Authors and Affiliations
Samaneh Ghorbi,Ali Ebadi,Saeid Khomari,Masoud Hashemi,
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP749780
- DOI 10.22067/ijpr.v13i2.2202-1025
- Views 66
- Downloads 0
Study of grain filling components of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) using segmented model under irrigation withholding condition, Methanol application and seed inoculation with bio fertilizers
IntroductionDrought stress is the most influential factors affecting crop yield particularly in irrigated agriculture in arid and semiarid regions. Drought, being the most important environmental stress, severely impairs...
The yield and Physiological Traits of Two Red Bean Cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris) under the Influence of Management and Genotypic Factors
IntroductionPulses, including red beans, constitute a significant protein source in human nutrition. Beans exhibit symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. In recent years, the growing concern for the nutritional quality...
The effect of iron nano-chelate fertilizer on yield, yield components and seed protein content of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under drought stress
IntroductionBean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the second most important legume plant after soybean, accounting for a major share of the diet of more than 300 million people worldwide. However, bean cultivation is always fa...
Use of seaweed )Ascophyllum nodosum) extract in mitigating the negative effects of water deficit stress in chickpea by evaluating morphophysiological indicators
IntroductionSeaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) extract can play an effective role in plant growth and development due to having plenty of nutrients, plant growth regulators and helpful microorganisms can improve soil physicoc...
Etiology of root rot, yellows and wilt diseases of chickpea in Kermanshah province
IntroductionChickpea is a valuable and protein-rich pulse crop which is widely cultivated in more than 50 countries. Cultivation of chickpea in rotation with cereals can improve soil fertility through the process of symb...