Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXIX, Issue 1
Written by Oana MIHAI-FLOREA, Traian Ciprian STROE, Liliana PANAITESCU
This study assessed the agronomic and environmental effects of pea (Pisum sativum L.) green cover crops, implemented under the PD-04_DR-02_P4 agri-environmental scheme of the Romanian Strategic Plan (PNS 2023-2027), on droughttolerant maize hybrids cultivated in the semi-arid Dobrogea region. Field trials (2024-2025) at Săcele, Constanța County, used two Pioneer AQUAmax® hybrids: P8834 (FAO 360) and P9903 (FAO 390), to evaluate the contribution of legumebased cover crops to soil improvement and yield stability. The 2025 season was extremely dry (124 mm rainfall), resulting in severe water stress. Plots previously cultivated with pea produced 25-30% higher yields (1.10-1.30 t ha⁻¹) than the control, due to improved soil friability, 10-12% higher NDVI, and enhanced biological nitrogen input (≈ 30-40 kg N ha⁻¹). The early hybrid P8834 achieved yields comparable to P9903, confirming its drought-escape advantage. These findings demonstrate that integrating pea cover crops with drought-tolerant maize hybrids strengthens soil structure, increases water retention, and stabilizes yield under extreme drought. The results validate the PD-04 eco-scheme as a cost-effective measure for climate-smart agriculture in southern Romania and similar semi-arid regions.
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{simplepopup popup="false" name="Citation47"}MIHAI-FLOREA O., STROE T.C., PANAITESCU L. 2026, IMPACT OF PD-04_DR-02_P4 GREEN COVER CROPS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF MAIZE HYBRIDS. Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXIX, Issue 1, ISSN 2285-5785, 394-400. {/simplepopup}