The influence of grain legumes on spring wheat yield formation and phytosanitary state
Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture, Instituto al. 1, Akademija, Kedainiai LT-58344, Lithuania;e-mail: lina@lzi.lt
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of grain legumes on spring wheat yield, its quality and phytosanitary state in an organic farming system. The experiment was carried out in 2007 and 2008 at the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture in Dotnuva on a loamy Endocalcari-Ephypogleyic Cambisol. Grain legumes – pea, lupine, bean, vetch and wheat were sown as intercrops and sole crops, and were grown organically for grain. The productivity and phytosanitary state of spring wheat sole crops or intercrops depended on the species of grain legume, however, the results varied over the experimental years. In 2007, the vetch and wheat intercrop produced a significantly higher grain yield than wheat in sole crop or in other intercrops. In 2008, no advantages of legume and wheat intercrops were revealed. The nitrogen content was higher in wheat when it was grown with legumes.
Key words:
intercrops, leaf diseases, nitrogen content, weed