Vertical Distribution of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Seed Yield Depending on the Applied Bacterial Inoculants

Among legumes, pea (Pisum sativum L.) is the second most important grain legume crop in the world, which is widely used both in human nutrition and as fodder. The yield potential of cultivars is one of the major factors that determine the use of field pea. Currently, pre-sowing inoculation of pea seeds is a promising treatment and is one of agronomic solutions for sustainable agriculture development. The objective of the research was to estimate the productivity of the ‘afila’ and ‘semileafs’ morphotypes of field pea, depending on different inoculants based on symbiotic bacteria (Rhizobium)-commercial (NitragineTM) and noncommercial, produced by the Polish Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG). The research was based on the precise field experiment, conducted in four replicates and carried out in the experimental field of Bayer company located in Modzurów, Silesian viovodeship. The experimental field soil was classified as Umbrisol-slightly degraded chernozem, formed from loess. The examined inoculants were applied during sowing. The presented results of the studies on the symbiotic nitrogen fixation by leguminous plants indicate that the productivity of pea was positively affected by the application of IUNG (noncommercial) inoculant. On the other hand, it is not recommended to use NitragineTM separately, as it inhibits the growth of pea. Plants of the ‘Klif’ variety used the symbiotically fixed nitrogen more effectively and demonstrated higher yield component and better phenotypic parameters.