Abstract

To evaluate the effect of cover cropping faba bean with maize, compared to maize monocrop cultivation, on yield (dry matter), nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) and N fertilizer recovery fraction of maize, field experiments were carried out over a period of three years. Experimental sites were located in central Greece, on a fertile, clayey soil and on a sandy soil of moderate fertility, A factorial combination of four nitrogen dressings (0, 80, 160, 240 kg ha^-1) and three legume treatments (incorporated into the topsoil or harvested before the sowing of maize and mono-cropping) were tested in a split plot design in three blocks. Results showed a substantial importance of the legume cover crop for both soil types, for all studied factors. Maize total dry biomass yield fluctuated from 13.4 to 20.3 Mg ha^-1 for the control plots, from 15.1 to 21.6 Mg ha^-1 when faba bean was harvested and from 15.3 to 22.4 Mg ha^-1 when incorporated, for clayey soil and from 12.4 to 16.9 Mg ha^-1 for the control plots, from 14.9 to 19.4 Mg ha^-1 when faba bean was harvested and from 14.5 to 19.6 Mg ha^-1 when incorporated, for sandy soil. The NUE was estimated at 56 kg kg^-1 and 55 kg kg^-1 for clayey and sandy soil, respectively. The N recovery fraction was enhanced by 10-15% after faba bean cover cropping, for both soil types. Such systems should be seriously considered in future land use planning, with respect to the sustainable cultivation of maize.

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