Biomass Quality of Brassica Oilseed Crops in Response to Sulfur Fertilization

Abstract

Rapeseed [Brassica napus (L.)], white mustard [Sinapis alba (L.)], and Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. et Coss] belong to the family Brassicaceae. Th ese crop species synthesize substantial amounts of fat, protein, and glucosinolates (GLS). Brassica species can diff er in their concentrations of fat, protein, and GLS in response to S fertilization. Plant material for chemical analyses was harvested from a fi eld experiment conducted in northeastern Poland in 2005 to 2008. Th e examined species of oilseed crops were fertilized or not fertilized with S applied to soil at optimal rates for each species based on S uptake and forecast seed yield. On average, S fertilization increased seed yield of oilseed crops by 8%, but it did not induce signifi cant diff erences in the concentrations of fat and protein in seeds. Sulfur fertilization increased total GLS concentrations by 0.22 and 0.27 µmol g -1 dry matter (DM) in the root residues of white mustard and Indian mustard, respectively, and by 0.52 µmol g -1 DM in winter rapeseed. Total GLS concentration in winter rapeseed straw decreased by 0.18 µmol g -1 DM with S application. In white mustard straw, S fertilization increased total GLS concentration by 0.27 µmol g -1 DM. Sulfur fertilization increased total GLS concentrations in the seeds of spring rapeseed, white mustard and Indian mustard by 11.43, 41.75 and 32.05 µmol g -1 DM, respectively. Sulfur fertilization has a signifi cant eff ect on the seed yield and biomass quality of oilseed crops of the family Brassicaceae.

Thermophysical and chemical properties of seeds of traditional and double low cultivars of white mustard

“…Czern. ), white mustard is well adapted to unfavourable agronomic and environmental conditions, and its yields are 50-70% higher than those of spring oilseed rape (Jankowski et al, 2015). However, oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.…”

“…In those parts of Europe, the predominant oilseed crop is oilseed rape, in particular its winter cultivars. However, winter oilseed rape is characterised by relatively low winter hardiness (lower than winter wheat), and the risk of freeze damage can be as high as 20% in north-eastern Poland (Jankowski et al, 2015). The risk of freeze damage to winter oilseed crops is considerably higher in countries situated further north, including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Norway (Waalen et al, 2014).…”

“…White mustard seeds have high energy value due to their relatively high content of crude fat (250-300 g kg -1 DM) and total protein (250-370 g kg (55%) (Ciubota-Rosie et al, 2013) and glucosinolates in fat-free seed residues (51-93 µmol g -1 DM), mainly sinalbin (97-98% of total glucosinolate content) (Jankowski et al, 2015). The oil extracted from the seeds of traditional white mustard cultivars contains fatty acids with health benefits, including oleic acid (12%), linoleic acid (12%) and linolenic acid (9%) (Ciubota-Rosie et al, 2013).…”

The effect of sulphur fertilization on macronutrient concentrations in the post-harvest biomass of mustard

“…The synthesis of those compounds is directly influenced by the levels of plant-available S (GLS) and K (fat) (Grzebisz 2008, Toboła 2010, Jankowski et al 2015b). Indian mustard accumulates 3-to 10-times more GLS in roots and 8-9% more fat in seeds than white mustard (Jankowski et al 2015b). Therefore, under supportive agricultural conditions, Indian mustard can accumulate more K and S than white mustard.…”

“…The potential fertilizing value of oil cake of Brassica oilseed crops results mostly from its high N content. In the work of Jankowski et al (2015b), the oil-free seed residues of white mustard and Indian mustard contained 49.9 g N/kg DM and 45.6 g N/kg DM, respectively. In the present study, the oil cake of both mustard species accumulated higher concentrations of N, in comparison with the remaining macronutrients, from 4-to 6-fold (P, K and S) up to 12-to 13-fold (Ca and Mg) ( Table 2).…”