Biomass and Protein Yields of Field Peas and Oats Intercrop Affected by Sowing Norms and Nitrogen Fertilizer at Two Different Stages of Growth

Ivan Krga, Aleksandar Simić, Željko Dželetović, Snežana Babić, Snežana Katanski, Svetlana Roljević Nikolić and Jelena Damnjanović
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Ivan Krga: Institute for Vegetable Crops, Karađorđeva 71, 11420 Smederevska Palanka, Serbia
Aleksandar Simić: Faculty of Agriculture, Department for Field and Vegetable Crops, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
Željko Dželetović: Institute for Applied Nuclear Energy, Banatska 31b, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
Snežana Babić: Institute for Forage Crops, Globoder, 37251 Kruševac, Serbia
Snežana Katanski: Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Maksima Gorkog 30, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Svetlana Roljević Nikolić: Institute of Agricultural Economics, Volgina 15, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
Jelena Damnjanović: Institute for Vegetable Crops, Karađorđeva 71, 11420 Smederevska Palanka, Serbia

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: In limited growing conditions, intercropped field peas and oats can represent a significant source of forage rich in protein. If applied correctly, factors such as nitrogen fertilizer, the mowing phase, and sowing norms can significantly increase the productivity of these mixtures. Field trials were conducted to examine their productivity under different nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80 kg ha −1 ), different sowing norms/mixtures (field peas: oats—100:15%; 100:30%), and two stages of growth (full flowering, full pod formation). Nitrogen fertilizer and different sowing norms had a significant effect on the biomass, hay, and crude protein yields. On average, the highest hay yields were achieved with 80 kg ha −1 N (4.96 t ha −1 ), followed by 40 kg ha −1 N (4.27 t ha −1 ). The highest protein yields were achieved with 40 kg ha −1 N (CP—704.1 kg ha −1 ), followed by 80 kg ha −1 N (CP—637.6 kg ha −1 ). Sowing norm 100:30% achieved higher hay yields: 100:30%—4.82 t ha −1 ; 100:15%—4.44 t ha −1 , while 100:15% achieved higher crude protein yields: 100:15%—730.4 kg ha −1 ; 100:30%—692.7 kg ha −1 on average. The costs were not significantly increased with the nitrogen fertilizer, but the net profits were increased by as much as 163%, depending on the nitrogen level and the mixture. Nitrogen fertilizer also achieves higher economic efficiency for the mixture 100:15% compared to the 100:30% mixture. Mixtures of field peas and oats outperform single-grown crops and provide cost-effective feed for a short time. Using optimal seed ratios and nitrogen fertilizer can significantly increase the productivity and profitability of the feed with minimal impact on the overall production costs.

Keywords: additive series; cereals; forage; intercropping; legumes; mixture; nitrogen fertilizer; phenophase (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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