Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
1,4
1,2
1
0,8
0,6
0,4
0,4
0,5
0,6
0,7
0,8
dominance index SI
oat+pea
oat+vetch
barley+pea
barley+vetch
Figure 2.
Shannon's diversity index (H') and Simpson's dominance index (SI) for weed flora in mixtures [own study]
5. Undersown crop of serradella in cereals
Intercrop cultivation is one of the agrotechnological ways to reduce adverse changes in agro-
ecosystems, which are the result of a large share of cereals in cropping pattern. Their biomass
is a significant source of organic matter, and it also has a positive effect on the physical,
chemical and biological properties of the soil [76]. Serradella is a species of legume which yields
well on poor, slightly acidic soils. Its cultivation provides a number of benefits for animals;
provides a valuable, easily digestible feed, positively affects the milk yield of dairy cows, does
not contain harmful compounds and it is willingly fed by animals [77]. Undersown into cereal
as a support plant, it is more reliable in yielding, less prone to lodging and does not cause
trouble during combine harvest. Growing mixed crops also creates more competition for
weeds, which allows reducing, and in organic farming, to completely resign from herbicides
[72, 78, 79, 80, 81].
Cultivation of serradella has also an ecological importance. The crop residue of this plant
contains about 50 kg ha
-1
of nitrogen, which is largely derived from a biological fixation.
Serradella also plays phytosanitary role, reducing the spread of diseases and pests, regenerates
the soil and improves balance of organic matter and soil fertility [82, 83]. A limitation in the
cultivation of serradella is moisture. The deficiency of water in the initial stages of growth
negatively affects the yield of this species [84].
Serradella can be undersown into spring and winter cereals grown for green matter or grains.
Our findings showed that undersown serradella positively affected on dry matter yield of
spring and winter cereals harvested at the milk-dough stage (for green matter). The highest
increase of cereal yield was achieved in the cultivation of serradella with spring barley (Table
13). In the cultivation of cereals for grains (full maturity stage), undersown serradella did not
significantly affect the yield of spelt wheat and oats, but limited the yield of spring barley and
winter rye compared with the sole crops. The yield of serradella green matter undersown into
