Research was carried out in the hill area of western Caras-Severin County, on the Slatina Nera territory, an area with a moderate temperate-continental climate, the sub-Banat type, with Mediterranean influences. The annual mean temperature is 110C and seasonal mean temperatures meet the requirements of most crops. Annual mean precipitations reach 680 mm. The soil type is stagnic luvisol, with a pH 5.80 and a low moisture potential. In the experimental cycle 2011-2013, we carried out research on the possibility of introducing in the area the cultivation of white lupin cultivated for beans to reduce the area protein deficit in animal feed and to introduce a legume in the crop rotation. The improving effect of white lupin on acid soils depends on nodosities formation. Research results concerning the influence of fertilisation on nodosities formation because of the activity of symbiotic bacteria (Rhizobium lupini) show that the best variant (the largest number of nodosities per plant) is the one fertilised with N40P60K60. Increasing the rate of nitrogen from N60 to N80, the number of nodosities diminished to 31 and 24, respectively. Among the fertilisation variants, the highest yield was in the variant fertilised with N60P60K60, i.e. 3,033 kg/ha, 45% larger than in the control variant. Protein content increased with the nitrogen rate from 33.8% (the control variant, N0) in the Medi cultivar, a trend obvious also in the Serbian cultivar). Protein yield showed the same increasing trend with the increase of the nitrogen rate. The highest values of 1,077 kg/ha in the Medi cultivar and over 990 kg/ha in the Serbian cultivar were in the variant fertilised with N60P60K60. Cultivating the wheat cultivar Alex after ban white lupin produced an increase of the yield with 26%, i.e. 748 kg/ha, a difference close to the variants fertilised with 20 t/ha of animal manure (an increase of 29%) and with chemical fertilisers N60P60K60 (i.e. 32%). This means that white lupin ensures the most economically advantageous increase in yield.

Lupinus albus L., fertilizers, protein yield

Presentation: oral