Influence Of Legumes On Soil Fertility In Strawberry - Legume Intercropping

Legumes are becoming more popular in food and feed consumption. They are promoted by EU policy related to healthy lifestyle and environmental policy. Legumes can be grown in crop rotation as monocrop or in different kind of intercropping systems. It is a well known fact that legumes play an important role in fixation of the atmospheric N, whereas their influence on other biological and chemical aspects of the soil ecosystem is only explored partially. The experimental trial was established at the Pure Horticultural Research Centre with the aim of studying the influence of legumes on the soil properties in the intercrop with strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). Different genotypes were included in the trial as intercrops: two local broad bean (Vicia faba var. major L.) genotypes, two pea (Pissum sativum L.) cultivars and clover (Trifolium hybridum L.). Two control treatments were included in the trial: with and without nitrogen fertilizer usage. Strawberries were planted in May of 2014 and maintained in the field for three years. Results showed that there were significant differences between treatments in soil respiration rate (SRR) and SRR dynamic throughout the experiment time. Dehydrogenase activity had similar results, though no significant differences between treatments were observed in the third year. No significant difference between treatments was found in the soil organic matter. Obtained data shows that legumes have a significant influence on the soil biological properties but not on biochemical properties. Further research needs to be carried out to determine legume influence on soil environment in more detail.