Effect of field pea companion crop on alfalfa pigment content

Abstract

Field pea has potential to be a suitable companion crop for alfalfa establishment. It is a fast growing crop, arvested early and thus reduces duration of competition. Compared to other companion crops, such as small grains, it allows better light transmition through canopy to an undersown species. The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of field pea as a companion crop for alfalfa establishment. A two-factor trial was carried out at the experiment field of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops at Rimski Šančevi from 2004 to 2009. The experiment involved two pea varieties (Jezero - semi-leafless and Javor - normal leaves with reduced leaflet size) and four pea densities (0, 30, 60 and 90 plants m-2) and control variant with oat as companion crop. When the field pea had reached the harvestable stage, samples were taken for determining alfalfa chlorophyll and carotenoids content. In average, chlorophyll and carotenoids content were higher in all treatments of companion cropping than in the sole crop of alfalfa.