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Nitrogen (N) is the major input for cereal grain production. N management in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) is critical for optimizing grain yield, protein concentration, and utilization efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer. A two-year study was conducted in the semi-arid region of the US Northern Great Plains (NGP) to investigate nitrogen input levels and application methods under fallow-durum and pea-durum systems. A durum wheat (cv. Joppa) was planted in the field following fallow or field pea with N input levels of 65 and 135 kg ha−1 and four application methods for each N input level. Results showed that water was the major limiting factor determining grain yield and protein concentration. Grain yield was greater but with similar protein concentration following fallow (1958 kg ha−1, 16.7%) than following field pea (1754 kg ha−1, 16.4%). Increasing N input from 65 kg ha−1 to 135 kg ha−1decreased grain yield from 1933 to 1779 kg ha−1 but improved protein concentration from 16.3 to 16.8%, which resulted in a negative nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Application method of N did not significantly affect yield and protein, but there was a trend of yield increase via split application of N at the lower rate in a wetter year. The drought in 2017 resulted in lower test weight and harvest index (HI). The HI was lower in the135 kg ha−1 N rate than in the 65 kg ha−1 N rate, especially in the dryer year. Excessive N inputs in a water-limited environment may result in 'haying-off'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic and environmental factors lead to a variation in yield and protein content of dry pea (Pisum sativumL.) seeds. The quality of seed, particularly seed vigor, also influences the establishment of crop and thus final grain yield. The area and production for dry peas are increasing in the Northern Great Plains but knowledge is lacking on how the pea lines/varieties differ in the seed vigor at seven leaf stage. This field and greenhouse study evaluated the eight dry pea lines/varieties for seedling vigor indices and correlated them with grain yield and protein concentrations. Significant differences were observed among the lines/varieties for nodule number plant−1in greenhouse, and grain yield in field conditions. The highest number of nodules plant−1was obtained with the line MT632, which were at par with lines MT457, and MT190. The highest Vigor Index I was achieved with line MT632 associated with their more shoot lengths as compared to other lines/varieties. The highest Vigor Index II was obtained by variety Majoret and line MT632. The variety DS Admiral yielded 5205 kg ha−1, which was 17.4 and 33.3% higher than lines MT460 and MT190, respectively. The highest seed protein content was obtained with variety Majoret (23.4%) having highest Vigor Index II and seed yield (4940 kg ha−1) at par with variety DS Admiral. The lowest seed protein was found with variety DS Admiral (20.3%). The line named MT190 showed lowest yield potential along with the lower protein contents also. Studies show a positive and significant correlation between biomass and Vigor Index I only. Plant nitrogen uptake was positively and significantly correlated with biomass and Vigor Index I in greenhouse only. The results also indicated that seed vigor indices did not reveal any significant correlations with dry peas yield and protein content, so more efforts are needed to evaluate varieties for higher yield and protein content during initial stages of growth in order to maximize their acreage and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncertainties exist about the importance of rhizobia inoculant and starter nitrogen (N) application in dry pea (PisumsativumL.) production. Three field experiments were conducted to evaluate how rhizobia inoculant and starter N fertilizer affect pea seed yield and protein concentration in a semi-arid environment in central Montana. Commercial rhizobia inoculant was mixed with seed prior to planting at the manufacturer’s recommended rate. Starter N fertilizers were applied into the same furrow as seed at 0, 22, 44 and 88 kg ha−1as urea, slow-release polymer-coated N fertilizer (ESN), and a combination of both. The application of rhizobia inoculant had no or a very small beneficial effect on pea yield in lands with a previous history of peas. In a land without pea history, application of rhizobia increased pea seed yield by 16%. The positive effect of starter N was only pronounced when initial soil N was low (≤ 10 kg ha−1nitrate-nitrogen), which increased net return by up to US$ 42 ha−1. In this condition, application of slow-release N outperformed urea. However, application of starter N (especially with urea) had a negative effect on pea establishment, vigor and seed yield when soil initial N was high (≥ 44 kg ha−1NO3-N). The results indicate that the rate, placement and form of the starter N must be optimized to benefit pea yield and protein without detrimental effects on germination and nodulation. Moreover, application of starter N must be guided by the soil nitrate content. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Lentils (Lens culinarisL.) are an important component of the dryland farming systems in the western USA. Optimum nitrogen (N) management can enhance yield and quality of lentils. We conducted a field (at two locations, one with previous history of lentil and the other one without lentil history) and a greenhouse study to evaluate response of lentil to the application of rhizobium inoculant and starter N (control, 22 kg N ha−1in the form of urea [U], 22 kg N ha−1in the form of slow-release or environmentally safe nitrogen [ESN], and 22 kg N ha−1U + 22 kg N ha−1ESN). In both, the field and the laboratory studies, lentil yield did not respond positively to the experimental treatments. Lentil average yield was 1216 and 1420 kg ha−1at the field condition. In this rain-fed system, lentil yield was mainly limited by moisture availability, and the application of an external N did not contribute to the yield enhancement. Both of these treatments, however, increased protein content. Compared to the control, the application of rhizobium plus U and ESN enhanced protein content by about 34% (from 23.1 to 30.9%). The application of U+ESN also considerably increased postharvest residual nitrate (NO3)-N in the soil, which can be easily leached and creates environmental pollution. Briefly, the application of U+ESN increases lentil protein content, but more efforts are needed to optimize N management in lentils in order to reduce the environmental concerns in the shallow soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]