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This work was supported by the European Commission Horizon 2020 project Diverfarming [grant agreement 728003] . We are grateful to V. Perez Laguardia, E. Luna, E. Medina and F. Ion for laboratory and field assistance.

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Franco-Luesma, SamuelAuthor

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September 8, 2024
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Cereal-maize vs. legume-maize double-cropping: Impact on crop productivity and nitrogen dynamics under flood-irrigated Mediterranean conditions

Publicated to:Journal Of Agriculture And Food Research. 18 101357- - 2024-12-01 18(), DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101357

Authors: Alonso-Ayuso, Maria; Franco-Luesma, Samuel; Lafuente, Victoria; Bielsa, Ana; Alvaro-Fuentes, Jorge

Affiliations

Agr Technol Inst Castilla & Leon, Valladolid, Spain - Author
Spanish Natl Res Council, CSIC, Soil & Water Dept, Expt Stn Aula Dei, Zaragoza, Spain - Author

Abstract

Double-cropping is an interesting diversification strategy to increase profitability and sustainability. Besides, by including legumes, it may reduce the N inputs dependency. However, its management with flood irrigation can be challenging. The was the evaluation of the impact of two double-cropping and different nitrogen (N) rates on productivity and N dynamics under flood irrigation. Two double-cropping (barley-maize; pea-maize) and three N rates (unfertilized, 0N; medium: MN; high rate, HN) were evaluated in a field experiment located in NE Spain during two years. In barley-maize, N rates were 0, 125 and 250 kg N ha 1, and 0, 200 and 400 kg N ha 1 for barley and maize phases, respectively. In pea-maize, pea did not receive N, and the MN and HN rates in the maize were reduced (150 and 350 kg N ha 1, respectively). Crop productivity and N uptake were evaluated. The economic return and N use efficiency (NUE) were calculated. Soil inorganic N (Nmin) was measured after harvest. The pea-maize double-cropping allowed the saving of N fertilizer without yield penalties. Besides, a pre-crop effect of pea in the maize yield was observed. Regarding the cropping system, pea-maize obtained a higher economic return the first year. Besides, the economic return was higher the first year, due to crop penalties. In general, NUE was greater in 0N, and no differences were observed between fertilized treatments. Soil Nmin after pea/barley was higher the first year, coincident with a higher productivity. After maize harvest, the barley-maize led to larger residual Nmin. Therefore, in this study, pea-maize allowed a reduction in the N rate, showed greater potential to increase the economic return and reduced the N leaching risk. However, crop yield penalties associated with flood-irrigation, indicate that farmers should be aware of facing a more challenging management or consider other irrigation method to ensure profitability.

Keywords

BalanceCorCornCover cropsDiversificationEconomic returnEmissionsLLegumeManagementN fertilizationNueUse efficiency

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Journal Of Agriculture And Food Research due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position 36/173, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Food Science & Technology.

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-04:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 8 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.