Yield performance and seed production pattern of field-grown pea and soybean in relation to N nutrition

Crozat, Y.; Aveline, A.; Coste, F.; Gillet, J.P.; Domenach, A.M.

Yield performance and seed production pattern of field-grown pea and soybean in relation to N nutrition

1994

Crozat, Y. | Aveline, A. | Coste, F. | Gillet, J.P. | Domenach, A.M.

The aim of this study was to compare the yield and seed production of well irrigated indeterminate pea and soybean in relation to N nutrition and plant N status at the beginning of seed-filling (BSF stage). Plant N status was characterized by a N nutrition index (NNI). A large range in nitrogen accumulation and dinitrogen fixation was obtained by means of N fertilizer application (pea and soybean), inoculation (soybean) and increasing soil compaction (pea) carried out at various sites and in different years. Pea displayed a higher dinitrogen fixation ability than soybean and accumulated a larger proportion of nitrogen prior to the BSF stage. The nitrogen requirement for the production of 1 ton of soybean seed was twice that for pea and its maximum grain yield was half that of pea. In response to increasing NNI at the BSF stage, the two species showed differences in seed establishment and seed-filling. These differences in yield response to the treatments are discussed in relation to the seed composition and N nutrition of both species.

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