Comparative Analysis of the Nitrogen Effect of Common Agricultural Practices and Rotation Systems in a Rainfed Mediterranean Environment
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Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Agricultural Research Institute, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus
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Plants 2017, 6(4), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants6040061
Received: 2 November 2017
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Revised: 17 November 2017
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Accepted: 30 November 2017
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Published: 6 December 2017
The nitrogen (N) effect of legumes is one of the main reasons for their inclusion in rotation systems and their success in rainfed agriculture of Mediterranean areas. The comparative analysis of this effect in relation to alternative systems or practices is essential for a comprehensive appreciation in their merit. This field experiment was comprised of four three-year rotation cycles. Wheat (Triticum turgidum durum) was seeded for two consecutive years after common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), treated in three different ways, and after fallow and compared with three wheat monocultures: the conventional one, the continuous straw incorporation, and the sewage sludge incorporation once every three years. Wheat grain and straw yields and N uptake were compared among treatments. Results showed that rotation systems that included vetch were the most promising for improving sustainability. Maximum N uptake and the greatest yield surpluses were obtained when wheat followed vetch incorporated during flowering. When vetch in the rotation was cut for hay or left to fill grains subsequent wheat showed also enhanced yields. Fallow affected the rotation system’s fertility due to the incorporation of volunteer plants into the soil. Sewage sludge sustained production without the need for inorganic fertilization during three years. Straw incorporation always gave the smallest yields and N harvests, presumably due to soil N immobilization.
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Keywords:
nitrogen effect; vetch-wheat rotation; fallow; sewage sludge application; straw incorporation; dry Mediterranean climate
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MDPI and ACS Style
Dalias, P.; Neocleous, D. Comparative Analysis of the Nitrogen Effect of Common Agricultural Practices and Rotation Systems in a Rainfed Mediterranean Environment. Plants 2017, 6, 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants6040061
AMA Style
Dalias P, Neocleous D. Comparative Analysis of the Nitrogen Effect of Common Agricultural Practices and Rotation Systems in a Rainfed Mediterranean Environment. Plants. 2017; 6(4):61. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants6040061
Chicago/Turabian StyleDalias, Panagiotis, and Damianos Neocleous. 2017. "Comparative Analysis of the Nitrogen Effect of Common Agricultural Practices and Rotation Systems in a Rainfed Mediterranean Environment" Plants 6, no. 4: 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants6040061
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