| Popis: |
Regulation services are the benefits for human well-being obtained from the performance of ecosystems, for instance in terms of carbon sequestration, nitrogen fixation or weed control. The aim of the presented study was to evaluate regulating ecosystem services and their dependency on the genetic diversity of the faba bean as a key staple food in Near East and Central Asia. For this purpose, we carried out an experiment in the form of randomized complete blocks design at Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (Gorgan, Golestan province), Iran, during 2019–2020. In this experiment, genetic diversity of faba bean and its impact on selected regulating services was evaluated through cultivation of five genetic varieties of this plant. Studied varieties were selected from three grain groups (fine, medium and coarse). We included eco-physiological indicators in our study such as soil microbial respiration rate, weed control and nitrogen biofixation potential. The results showed that the provision of some services such as soil carbon sequestration, nitrogen biofixation potential, soil microbial respiration and weed control depend on genetic diversity of the faba bean. New faba bean varieties can better compete with weeds through their production of massive foliage and their growth form. Based on the obtained results, we elaborated on recommendations for how faba bean cultivation can contribute to an increase in the soil microbial respiration rate and carbon sequestration. We found that especially the medium grain variety of faba bean increased the capacity to provide regulating ecosystem services. |
