Enhancing of Winter Wheat Productivity by the Introduction of Field Pea into Crop Rotation

Abstract

Abstract The aim of our study was to find out the influence of different preceding crops and weather in particular years on the production ability of winter wheat in crop rotation with 80% share of cereals. The long-term field trial with 40, 60 and 80% share of cereals and two levels of fertilisation (H1 mineral fertilisation + organic manure Veget®; H2 mineral fertilisation only) was carried out in the very warm and dry area of continental climate on Luvi-Haplic Chernozem. In crop rotation with 80% share of cereals, winter wheat was sown after two preceding crops: pea and winter barley. In the years 2013–2015, the weight of 1,000 grains, bulk density, share of grains over 2.8 + 2.5 mm sieve, grain yield and straw yield were investigated. In crop rotation with 80% share of cereals, the significantly higher grain yield of winter wheat was recorded after preceding crop of field pea (6.18 t/ha) by comparison with winter barley as preceding crop (5.19 t/ha). The statistically significantly higher straw yield of winter wheat was observed after field pea (8.38 t/ha)in comparison to winter barley (7.29 t/ha). The weight of 1,000 grains, bulk density, share of grains over 2.8 + 2.5 mm sieve were statistically significantly higher after field pea in comparison to winter barley. The winter wheat grain yield can be increased by the preceding crop pea and the combination of mineral and organic fertilisation in substantial degree.