The Benefits of Legume Crops on Corn and Wheat Yield, Nitrogen Nutrition, and Soil Properties Improvement

Abstract

Legume crops leave N‐rich residues and improve soil properties that can boost the yield of subsequent crops. This study conducted at two sites in Québec, eastern Canada, identified the most appropriate preceding legume crops for subsequent corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and N nutrition. Legumes were established in 2011, in monoculture or mixed with grain crops, for a total of 13 treatments: common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), hairy vetch/wheat, crimson clover/wheat, field pea/wheat, alfalfa/corn, hairy vetch/corn, crimson clover/corn) and a non‐N fixing crop (corn) as the control. In 2012, each plot was split and five N fertilizer rates applied to corn and wheat. Four legume systems (alfalfa, hairy vetch, crimson clover, and hairy vetch/wheat) significantly increased the soil structure stability, alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase activities at warmer St‐Mathieu‐de‐Beloeil location but not at the cooler St‐Lambert‐de‐Lauzon site. These legumes also significantly increased yields and N nutrition of corn and wheat at St Mathieu‐de‐Beloeil and of wheat only at St‐Lambert‐de‐Lauzon. Although legume N credit was found low (∼30 kg N ha−1), the N fertilizer replacement value was 51 to 77 kg N ha−1 for corn and up to 37 kg N ha−1 for wheat, depending on the preceding legume crop. This suggests that indirect effects related to improved soil properties impacted positively corn and wheat yield and N nutrition.

The Effects of Legume Crops (Pea and Faba Bean) on Soil Nutrients Availability and Yield Parameters of Subsequent Cabbage Crops under Organic Production Conditions

“…Authors' results fit well with the conclusion of N'Dayegamiye et al [6] that including legume crops in the rotation can provide a direct N contribution and indirect benefits to crops by improving soil fertility. Compared to wheat, the legume crops provided a significantly higher biomass and a higher yield to the subsequent cabbage crops (Table 3).…”

“…The deposition of legume N is constituted by root exudates, sloughed cells and root nodules during plant growth, and the decomposition and mineralization of the complete root system, senescent leaves that are dropped as legume crops reaches maturity, and the shoot residues remaining after grain harvest [3]. Although legume N credit was found low (~30 kgNha -1 ), the N fertilizer replacement value was 51 to 77 kgNha -1 for corn and up to 37 kgNha -1 for wheat, depending on the preceding legume crop [6]. This suggests that indirect effects related to improved soil properties impacts positively the subsequent crop yield and N nutrition.…”

Possibility of Allelopathic and Residues Effects of the Rotated Crops on Productivity, Chemical Composition, Nitrogen Utilization of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Soil Fertility

“…These results may be due to the increase in the activity of antioxidants in response to stresses has been previously reported, which both biotic and a biotic stresses are known to induce plants to produce reactive oxygen species [21]. The increase activity of antioxidant enzymes is perhaps a secondary effect of allelochemicals [22].…”

Review on: Role of Pulse Intercropping for Hindering Rust Disease and Improving Yield of Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.)

“…Under warm climatic conditions, including forage legume crops in the rotation can provide a direct N contribution and indirect benefits to crops by improving soil fertility. Therefore grain crop yield and N nutrition are improve in the years following forage legume crops, which should encourage agricultural producers to include legumes in their crop rotations [1]. [31] worked on intercropping of wheat and chickpea and reported that the total intercrop seed yield was greater than yields of both wheat and chickpea sole crops.…”