Interactive effects of N and S fertilizers on canola yield and seed quality on S-deficient Gray Luvisol soils in northeastern Saskatchewan

Abstract

Malhi, S. S. and Gill, K. S. 2007. Interactive effects of N and S fertilizers on canola yield and seed quality on S-deficient Gray Luvisol soils in northeastern Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant Sci. 87: 211-222. On marginally S-deficient soils in the Parkland region, application of high rates of N and other fertilizers in combination with more frequent production of canola (Brassica napus L. or B. rapa L.) causes rapid depletion of S and nutrient imbalance in soil, and S deficiency and yield reduction for canola. Field experiments on Gray Luvisol (Boralfs) soils deficient in available N and S were conducted in northeastern Saskatchewan. Interactive effects of N (0, 50 100 and 150 kg N ha -1 ) and S (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg S ha -1 ) rates on yield, seed quality, and uptake of S and N in canola were determined. In the absence of S application, increasing N rate made the S deficiency symptoms more severe, and reduced yield, S concentration, oil concentration, S uptake and N uptake of seed, but there was a general response of no effect or some increase in protein concentration, S and N uptake in straw up to 50 or 100 kg N ha -1 . When S was applied, canola yield, S concentration, S uptake and N uptake of seed as well as the yield and S uptake of straw increased with increasing N rate. Irrespective of S rate, fertilizer N reduced oil concentration and increased protein concentration in canola seed. With S fertilization, yield, S uptake and N uptake of seed and straw, and total S concentration and oil concentration in seed were substantially increased, whereas there was no consistent change in protein concentration of seed. The response of these parameters to S application was generally greater at higher N rates. Sulphur and N uptake measured data indicated that significant N × S interaction effects were more frequent and pronounced for seed yield than for straw yield, indicating that the response to N rate was relatively more dependent on the S level for seed than for straw. In summary, the results suggest that an increased amount of S is needed on these S-deficient Gray Luvisol soils in northeastern Saskatchewan to adequately meet the S requirements at high N rates for optimum yield and quality of canola. On note aussi une baisse du rendement, de la concentration de S, de la teneur en huile et de l'absorption de S et de N par la semence, mais la concentration de protéines et l'absorption de N et de S par la paille ne sont généralement pas touchées, ou alors augmentent très légèrement jusqu'au taux de 50 ou de 100 kg de N par hectare. Quand on applique un engrais S, l'augmentation du taux d'application des engrais N s'accompagne d'une hausse du rendement du canola, de la concentration de S, de l'absorption de N et de S par la graine ainsi que du rendement en paille et de l'absorption de S par celle-ci. Peu importe la quantité de S appliquée, les engrais N réduisent la teneur en huile et accroissent la concentration de protéines dans la graine. Les engrais S augmentent sensiblement le rendement, l'absorption de S et de N par ...

Optical sensors have potential for determining nitrogen fertilizer topdressing requirements of canola in Saskatchewan

“…These values are comparable with those reported in other studies (Chamorro et al 2002;Malhi and Gill 2007). However, because of the higher seed yields, N yields at Indian Head were higher than those at Scott.…”

“…Because of lower seed yields, less grain N was harvested from the RN treatment than for the combined VRN treatments at Indian Head in 2007 (P 00.031). Both Chamorro et al (2002) and Malhi and Gill (2007) found that grain N yields often increased when the amount of N applied was increased up to 150 kg N ha (Table 8). While the data from Scott in 2005 was highly variable, the observed mean soil NO 3 -N concentrations of both the SFN and NR treatments tended to be higher than the other treatments.…”

Effects of nutritional arrangements of NPK on the yield of grains and Crambe oil cultivation

“…As the Canola and the Colza grainwhich belong to the same family of grains as the Crambe -the seed in study is also composed mainly by protein and oil. According to the studies of Ahmad et al (1999), Brennan et al (2000), Brennan and Bolland (2007), and Malhi and Gill (2007), this effect is caused because the N increases the protein content in the seed and this fact results in reduction of oil content. The treatment with NPK was the one that presented best yield of seed oil, differing significantly from other treatments, except for the arrangement NK and P alone.…”

Effect of Different Levels of Phosphorus and Sulphur on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) under Teak (Tectona grandis L.) based Agroforestry System

“…However, because of generally low phosphorus concentrations in mulch materials, low atmospheric inputs and low release by mineral weathering, adequate applications of phosphorus fertilizers are necessary in permanent agriculture to ensure economic and ecological sustainability (Buresh et al, 1997 andNewman, 1997). The deficiency of S, one of the fourth most important nutrient after N,P and K (McGrath et al, 1996;Walker and Dawson 2003;Matula 2004) is a major constraint to sustainable production of oilseed crops in many parts of the world including India (Saha et al, 2001;Biswas et al, 2003;Grant et al, 2003;Malhi and Gill, 2007). About 41% of soils in India are deficient in S, and yield of oilseed crops is adversely affected (Lakkineni and Abrol, 1992;Tewatia et al, 2007).…”