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The effect of fertilizers and harvest date on growth and yield of oilseed rape sown in autumn and spring

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

R. K. Scott ,
E. A. Ogunremi ,
J. D. Ivins  and
N. J. Mendham
R. K. Scott
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leics.
E. A. Ogunremi
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leics.
J. D. Ivins
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leics.
N. J. Mendham
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leics.
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Summary

In experiments at Sutton Bonington between 1967 and 1970, which tested 0–300 kg N/ha applied in spring, maximum oil yields of both autumn- and spring-sown oilseed rape were obtained by applying 200 kg N/ha. The seed-oil content was reduced by nitrogen application but only seriously when 300 kg/a was applied. Responses to high levels of potassium (180 rather than 60 kg K20/ha) were only obtained at 200 kg N/a. Successive increments of nitrogen from nil to 300 kg/ha improved plant growth, increasing leaf area and the dry weight of leaves and stems. The last increment from 200 to 300 kg N/ha was less effective and either reduced or did not affect pod production.

In one experiment 300 kg N/ha stimulated husk growth, apparently at the expense of seed growth, with 200 kg/ha giving the highest proportion of pod dry matter as seed. More nitrogen always raised number of seeds per pod, but only increased seed weight in one autumn-sown experiment.

Serial harvests of one experiment indicated that the maximum seed and oil yield was obtained by cutting plants before they were fully ripe, thus avoiding seed loss through pod shatter. The oil content of the bulk samples reached a peak about a week before maximum oil yield, probably because later-ripening seed did not reach full maturity. All nitrogen levels delayed flowering, but only the highest delayed maturity in the autumn-sown crop.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 81 , Issue 2 , October 1973 , pp. 287 - 293
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

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References

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