Nitrogen Fertilization Boosts Pea Yield and Quality in Malt Barley-Pea Rotation

Strategic Insights -

Agricultural research has uncovered the significance of nitrogen fertilization and cover crops in enhancing pea yield and quality in the malt barley-pea rotation. A recent study, conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), analyzed the effects of nitrogen fertilization rates and cover crop usage on soil residual nitrate-nitrogen, pea growth, and quality. The research, spanning from 2014 to 2019 in the US northern Great Plains, provided valuable insights into the role of nitrogen fertilization and cover crops in improving pea yields.

Key Takeaways:

  • Soil residual nitrate-nitrogen content increased with increasing nitrogen fertilization rates, and cover crop biomass yield was 33%-393% greater with than without nitrogen fertilization in 2015 and 2016.
  • Pea grain yield and N uptake were 40%-41% greater for 40 than 60 kg N ha^-1 of nitrogen fertilization in 2015 and 45%-167% greater for 70 than 0 kg N ha^-1 in 2018.
  • Grain test weight was 27% greater with than without nitrogen fertilization in 2014 and 2019.
  • Harvest index was 22%-29% greater for 70 than 40, 60, and 80 kg N ha^-1 in 2014 but 18%-33% greater for 0 than 50 or 80 kg N ha^-1 in 2017 and 2019.
  • Nitrogen harvest index was 13%-14% greater for 0 than 50 and 60 kg N ha^-1 in 2015 and 2019.
  • Straw yield, N concentration, N uptake, and grain protein concentration were 10%-34% greater with than without nitrogen fertilization.

Statistics:

  • Nitrogen fertilization rates of 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 kg N ha^-1 were applied in the study.
  • The cover crop biomass yield was 33%-393% greater with than without nitrogen fertilization in 2015 and 2016.
  • Pea grain yield and N uptake increased by 40%-41% for 40 kg N ha^-1 and 45%-167% for 70 kg N ha^-1 in 2015 and 2018, respectively.
  • Grain test weight was 27% greater with than without nitrogen fertilization in 2014 and 2019.

Sources:

  • Nitrogen Fertilization To Malt Barley Enhances Pea Yield and Quality, Regardless of Cover Cropping, In the Malt Barley-pea Rotation. Agronomy Journal, 2025;117(3).
  • USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, Sidney, MT 59270, United States.
  • Upendra M. Sainju, USA. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, Sidney, MT 59270, United States.