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Modeling Biological Dinitrogen Fixation of Field Pea with a Process‐Based Simulation Model
Author(s) -
Liu Yanyan,
Wu L.,
Watson C. A.,
Baddeley J. A.,
Pan Xuebiao,
Zhang Lizhen
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj2012.0412
Subject(s) - sativum , field pea , agronomy , legume , photosynthesis , pisum , nitrogen fixation , cultivar , biology , fixation (population genetics) , dry matter , perennial plant , botany , biochemistry , genetics , bacteria , gene
Improved prediction of biological N 2 fixation by grain and forage legume crops will help the design of more efficient, sustainable agricultural systems. We used field pea ( Pisum sativum L.) as an example and focused during model development on inputs that are relatively easy to measure. We propose a new algorithm, which uses the aboveground biomass of legume crops to estimate the N 2 fixation rate and have incorporated it into the SPACSYS model. The model was parameterized for field pea and validated against published data from two northern European sites in Dijon, France, and Copenhagen, Denmark. The model simulated the dynamic processes of N 2 fixation, N accumulation, and aboveground dry matter accumulation of field pea. Sensitivity analysis showed that N 2 fixation at Dijon was very sensitive to low temperature and photosynthetic rate and that a larger green leaf area and faster establishment in young pea plants coupled with a high photosynthetic rate would enhance N 2 fixation. We suggest that cultivar breeding aimed at cold resistance and a higher photosynthetic rate could increase N 2 fixation under a similar climate.