Managing crop nitrogen and soil dynamics

Despite extensive research grain legume seed protein content and yield remains low and unstable. Grain legume performances in the cropping system are highly dependent upon N nutrition of the crop relying on root assimilation of soil N in combination with symbiotic fixation of atmospheric dinitrogen. In order to improve the competitive ability of grain legumes for growth resources an enlargement of the crop surface area production in combination with a judicious management of both inputs and N acquisition (and allocation to the harvested organs) is needed. Competitive ability implies to take into account economical constraints and the crop production effect on the environment, reducing the a…