The Improvement of Growth Parameters and Intercepted Photosynthetically Active Radiation in Pea Varieties as Influenced by Nitrogen Fertilization

The field experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of different nitrogen rates on accumulation of aboveground dry mass (AGDM), leaves area index (LAI), and intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (iPAR) of pea (<i>Pisum sativum</i> L.) varieties. The experiment was arranged in a factorial randomized block design consisting of three levels of the first factor (variety) and seven levels of the second factor (NPK fertilization treatments were used: (1) NPK 0:0:0 (control), (2) NPK 0:40:80, (3) NPK 15:40:80, (4) NPK 30:40:80, (5) NPK 45:40:80, (6) NPK 15 + 15:40:80, (7) NPK 60:40:80). The growth indicators (LAI and AGDM) and iPAR were assessed three times during the growing season. Nitrogen fertilization positively influenced LAI, but significant differences in LAI were found only under splitted N30 (N15 + N15), N45, and N60 applications, compared to the treatment N0 P40K80. In the dry 2015 and the optimal moisture 2016, N30, N45, and N60 rates significantly increased AGDM. The influence of fertilization on iPAR varied between experimental years, and it was strongest in the dry 2015, when applying N15 + 15 and N60 fertilization significantly increased iPAR, compared to the control. According to LAI and iPAR data, pea varieties were ranked in descending order: Simona, Ieva DS, and Respect. LAI significantly (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.01) correlated with AGDM and iPAR, but the relationship weakened as peas reached later growth stages. These results provide valuable knowledge, and it will be useful for researchers in developing new cultivation methodologies to achieve higher semi-leafless pea productivity by applying different combinations of nutrition and new varieties.