Productivity of Three Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Varieties as Influenced by Nutrient Supply and Meteorological Conditions in Boreal Environmental Zone

In order to grow crops that reduce the negative impact on the environment, as well as meet the nutritional needs of the increasing human population, it is necessary to include new and more sustainable production strategies into current agricultural systems. The aim of our study was to evaluate the optimal nutritional conditions of semi-leafless pea productivity and ascertain the influence of meteorological factors on the productivity of these plants under boreal environmental conditions. The test involved three semi-leafless pea varieties, one of which was a new variety, and eight N fertilization treatments were used: (1) without fertilizers (N-0), (2) without N fertilizers (N-0), (3) N-15, (4) N-30, (5) N-45, (6) N15+15, (7) N-60, and (8) N-60. Plots of the second-seventh treatment received a base application of P40K80; the eighth treatment received P80K160. Fertilizer efficiency depended on the meteorological conditions. Based on their productivity, the pea varieties were arranged in the following descending order: Ieva DS > Respect > Simona. Compared with unfertilized peas, NPK fertilizers enhanced the seed yield by 10.6-12.9% on average. Splitting the N-30 rate and applying N-60, under a background of P40K80, was not efficient. The optimal rate of N15-45P40K80 fertilizers for peas was determined. Meteorological factors significantly influenced seed yield by 75.2%, 44.1%, and 79.9% for varieties Ieva DS, Simona, and Respect, respectively.

Automated summary

In order to meet the nutritional needs of the growing human population and reduce negative environmental impact, new and sustainable production strategies need to be implemented into current agricultural systems. This study aimed to determine the optimal nutritional conditions for semi-leafless pea productivity and assess the impact of meteorological factors under boreal environmental conditions. The experiment included three pea varieties and eight N fertilization treatments, with fertilizer efficiency depending on meteorological conditions. Based on productivity, the pea varieties were ranked as Ieva DS > Respect > Simona. NPK fertilizers increased seed yield by 10.6-12.9% on average compared to unfertilized peas.