Effect of multi-micronutrient fertilizers applied to foliage on nutritional status of winter oilseed rape and development of yield forming elements

Abstract

Yields of oilseed rape harvested by farmers in Poland are usually much below the attainable potential of currently cultivated varieties, mainly because of the insufficient supply of nutrients during the yield foundation period, which determines the final number of secondary branches. This situation is typical of whole Poland, but may take place even on farms where high yields are harvested, for example in 2007. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, the year effect of multi-micronutrient fertilizers on yield of seeds, elements of yield structure and macronutrient content was studied. Multi-micronutrient fertilizers were applied twice over oilseed rape foliage during its pre-anthesis growth (BBCH45 and 53). In 2007, due to a drought in April, the harvested yields of seeds were below the country's average. However, in each year of the study, a significant increase in the seed yield owing to the foliar application of multi-micronutrient fertilizers was found. The increase in the yield of seeds, averaged for the three years, reached 0.486 t ha-1 for the NPK+MiMo treatment (full set of micronutrients) and 0.36 t ha-1 for the NPK + Mi treatment (without molybdenum). The increments of the oilseed rape yield resulted from an increased number of developed secondary branches. This yield-forming element was an indirect result of the application of multi-micronutrient fertilizers, which affected the nitrogen economy by oilseed rape plants during the foundation period of their growth. At the same time, the increase in seed yield was significantly modified by the total number of developed pods, which is shaped during the yield-forming period of oilseed rape crop growth. Under conditions of the study, the magnesium content in secondary branches was found to be an element significantly correcting their number, thus increasing the yield of seeds.

Evaluation of Nitrogen Fertilization Systems Based on the in-Season Variability in the Nitrogenous Growth Factor and Soil Fertility Factors—A Case of Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)

“…The application of 240 kg ha −1 of N as AN resulted in a yield reduction. The observed tendencies are broadly explained by assuming an imbalance of applied nutrients or referring to the low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of WOSR plants [10,[45][46][47][48][49]. In the studied case, this observation was fully corroborated by the trend of partial factor productivity of N indices, which were calculated based on the N-NO 3 content in the soil at BBBCH 30.…”

Effect of Site Specific Nitrogen Management on Seed Nitrogen—A Driving Factor of Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Yield

“…The relationship obtained is corroborated by the simultaneous increase in both N se and yield in response to the progressive N f rate (Tables 3 and 4, and Table A3). An N se increase is also recorded after application of other nutrients, resulting in an increase of N content in WOSR seeds [35,38]. As reported by Fordoński et al [19], the significant relationship between N c in seeds and yield was only found when wheat was a preceding crop for WOSR, but not when this crop followed peas or faba beans.…”

Foliar fertilization with molybdenum in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

“…Yield increase due to foliar application of molybdenum in oilseeds (winter rape) was found according to Grzebisz et al (2010). StanislawskaGlubiak (2008) reported a significant increase of rape yield after fertilization of 60 and 120 g Mo about 2.7% to 3.4% in slightly acid and neutral soil.…”