Field Trial Using the Early Pea "Partner" Variety, Finalised to Nitrogen and Organic Matter Enrichment in a Dry Climate Area

Legumes play an increasing role in mixed cropping systems, crop rotations and as target crops for food, livestock feeding, and in human diets. Among grain legumes, the most important protein-rich crops are peas (Pisum sativum). The availability of early varieties favours the production of grain pea in shorter periods, after the end of rainy seasons and before the long periods of drought before summer. A field trial using an early pea variety was set up in march and lasted until the middle of June, when we measured the soil content in nitrogen and organic matter, to assess the enrichment rate in this period. The data presented in the study support the improvement of carbon and nitrogen input into the soil through a rotation of crops in the same year, to achieve an increase of resource use efficiency, and to reduce agriculture environmental impact with ad hoc climate mitigation solutions.