Physiological Investigation of the Impact of Nitrogen and Sulphur Application on Seed and Oil Yield of Rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) and Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern. and Coss.) Genotypes

Field experiments were conducted to determine the physiological basis of the effects of N and S interactions on seed and oil yield of Brassica species. Five combinations of N and S (in kg ha⁻¹) 0S+100N (T₁), 40S+60N (T₂), 40S+100N (T₃), 60S+100N (T₄) and 60S+150N (T₅), were used for this purpose. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity and ATP-sulphurylase activity in the leaves were measured at various growth stages, as the two enzymes catalyse rate-limiting steps of the assimilatory pathways of nitrate and sulphate, respectively. The activities of these enzymes were strongly correlated with seed and oil yield. The highest nitrate reductase activity, ATP-sulphurylase activity and yield were achieved with the combination T₃ in both species. Any variation from this combination decreased the activity of these enzymes, resulting in a reduction of the seed and oil yield of Brassica species. The higher seed and oil yield achieved in these species at T₃ could be due to optimization of leaf soluble protein and photosynthetic rate, as these parameters are influenced by N and S assimilation.     

Effect of Nitrogen and Sulphur Application on Yield and Fatty acid Composition of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Oil

The effects of nitrogen and sulphur on the yield and fatty acid composition of mustard ( Brassica juncea L.) oil were studied in a field experiment. Significantly higher grain and oil yields were obtained with N and S application. Applications of nitrogen up to 60 kg ha⁻¹ and sulphur up to 40 kg ha⁻¹ favourably influenced the grain yield. Increasing levels of N decreased the oil content while application of sulphur improved the oil content. The contents of linoleic and linolenic acid were maximum (16.82 and 8.73%, respectively) with 60 kg N along with 40 kg S ha⁻¹. No use of fertilizers led to higher contents of undesirable fatty acids such as palmitic (hypercholesterimic) and erucic (do not have food value) acids.     

Effect of Plant Spacing and Nitrogen Levels on Growth, Herb and Oil Yields of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud.) Wats. var. I cauvery)

A field experiment was conducted for 2 years during 1991–93 at the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic plants, Bangalore, India to study the effect of plant spacings (60 × 60, 60 × 45, 60 × 30 and 45 × 45 cm) and nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) on growth, herb and oil yield of lemongrass. A closer plant spacing of 45 × 45 cm resulted in higher herb and oil yields compared to wider spacing of 60 × 60 cm. Application of 150 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ resulted in higher herb and oil yields. Higher nitrogen applications also increased the plant height and number of tillers per clump. The oil content and quality-was not influenced by spacing and nitrogen levels.     

Response of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) to Applied Nitrogen with or without Ethrel Spray under Non-irrigated Conditions

Field studies were conducted during the winter seasons of 1995–96 and 1996–97 at the Agricultural Farm of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India on mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss., var. Alankar) under non-irrigated conditions, to evaluate the effect of foliar spray of 200 p.p.m. ethrel (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) at flowering growth stage along with basal 0, 40, 80 or 120 kg N ha⁻¹ on net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (C_S), stomatal resistance (R_S), leaf K content, relative water content (RWC), leaf area index (LAI) and total dry matter (TDM) production monitored at 20 days after spray application, and plant N content, seed N content, nitrogen harvest index (NHI), nitrogen yield merit (NYM), pods plant⁻¹, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, harvest index (HI), seed yield merit (SYM) and merit of genotype (MOG) at harvest. Results indicated that, at 0 or 40 kg N ha⁻¹, ethrel did not produce any significance effect, but at basal 80 kg N ha⁻¹, ethrel affected the parameters favourably with the exception of 1000 seed weight, HI, seed N and NHI. Ethrel-sprayed plants utilized N from the soil more effectively and showed increased NYM. Yield attributes, seed yield and merit of genotype (in terms of NYM and SYM) were also enhanced. Ethrel spray enhanced seed yield under water stress conditions mainly by increasing K uptake and retaining higher RWC, thereby decreasing R_S and increasing LAI, P_N and TDM production.     

Response of Mustard to Ethrel Spray and Basal and Foliar Application of Nitrogen

In a field trial conducted during 1992–93 and 1993–94, the effect of basal (B) nitrogen (N) (45 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹) and foliar application (F) of water (W) or 10 kg N ha⁻¹ and 400 or 600 ppm ethrel (E) (2-Chloro ethyl phosphonic acid) at 70 days after sowing was studied on leaf area index and dry mass at 90 days and pod number per plant, seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, oil content and oil vield at harvest of mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.) cv. T-59. Recommended basal (B) application of 90 kg N ha (BN₉₀) was used as control. On the basis of 2 year data it was found that basal application of 60 kg N and foliar spray of 10 kg N ha ⁻¹ and 600 ppm ethrel gave higher values for growth and yield characteristics and enhanced seed yield and oil yield by 12.5 and 14.8%, respectively over control BN_90.     

Effect of Gibberellic Acid Spray and Basal Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Productivity and Fatty Acid Composition of Rapeseed-Mustard

Two field experiments were conducted during] 994-95 to study the effect of spray of 10⁻⁵ M GA3 at 40 days after sowing on mustard ( Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.) cv. Varuna grown with basally applied 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ (Expt. 1) and 0,15, 30 and 45 kg P ha⁻¹ (Expt. 2) on pod number per plant, seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, harvest index and fatty acid composition of oil. No significant difference between water and GA3 spray was found when basally applied nitrogen was 0 or 40 kg N ha⁻¹. N₈₀ proved to be the best for yield characteristics. In another experiment on phosphorus, GA₃ and 30 kg P ha⁻¹ individually enhanced the yield, but interaction of GA₃ and P remained non-significant. The fatty acid composition of oil in both experiments was significantly affected only by nitrogen and phosphorus treatments for oleic acid and erucic acid. It was found that return in the form of yield was more for every kg applied fertilizer under GA, spray treatment. The response was more for N fertilizer in comparison to P. GA₃ at a low level of fertilization significantly increased the return from fertilization.     

Effect of Integration of Fertilizer and Green Manure Nitrogen on Yield Attributes, Nitrogen Uptake and Yield of Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, India, during the wet seasons of 1992 and 1993 to study the effect of full and partial substitution of fertiliser N with green manure N (Sesbania rostrata) on nitrogen uptake, yield attributes and yield of rice. The experiment consisted of eight treatments with two levels of N (100 and 200 kg ha⁻¹) and three sources of N application viz., fertilizer, integrated (1:1 fertilizer and green manure N) and green manure N compared to the recommended practice (150 kg fertilizer plus 6.25 t ha⁻¹ (72 kg N) green manure) and a no N control. Nitrogen application markedly increased the N uptake. Combined use of the two N sources at 200 and 222 kg N ha⁻¹ and of single fertilizer N at 200 kg N ha⁻¹ recorded the maximum N uptake, increased the yield attributes such as number of panicles per unit area, weight per panicle, number of total and filled grains per panicle and test weight. At 200 kg N ha⁻¹ full substitution of N by green manure reduced the grain yield but only partial substitution of N by green manure resulted in almost similar yield as single fertilizer N. Thus 200 kg N ha⁻¹ applied in equal proportions of fertilizer and green manure N can be recommended for medium duration rice cultivars.     

Optimum Seed Rate and Nitrogen Fertilizer Requirement of Rice Under Semi-deepwater Ecosystem

The effect of varying seed rates (100–1000 seeds m⁻²) and nitrogen fertilizer (0–60 kg N ha_-1) applied either in a single basal dose or in splits was investigated on a tall elongating, photosensitive rice variety, Nalini, under semi-deepwater conditions (0–100cm) during 1993 and 1994 at Cuttack, India. Seedling emergence was higher in 1993 (53.9 %) than in 1994 (44.1 %) and it increased proportionately with increasing seed rate, Increase in the number of tillers and panicles m⁻² at higher seed rates was associated with a corresponding decrease in panicle weight. Regression analysis indicated a decrease of 0.91–1.28g in panicle weight for an increase of 100 panicles m⁻². The grain yield of rice was significantly higher at 400 seeds m⁻² in 1993 and at 600 seeds m⁻² in 1994 than at low seed rates but further increase in seed rate did not increase the yield. Application of N fertilizer increased the panicle number and thereby grain yield significantly. The effect of basal and split applied N at active or maximum tillering stages as well as between 30 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹ was not significant on the grain yield. The results suggest that a basal dose of 30kg N ha⁻¹ and seeding density of 400–600 seeds m⁻², resulting in 40–50 % seedling emergence and 150–200 panicles m⁻², each with 2.0–2.5 g weight, may be adequate for optimum productivity of rice under semideepwater conditions.     

Partitioning of Biomass, N and S in Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus L.) by Nitrogen and Sulphur Nutrition

Response of sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) to sulphur applied ca. 0, 30, 90 and 150 mg kg^-1 and nitrogen applied ca. 0, 100 and 200 mg kg^-1 soil were studied on a Typic Camborthids in greenhouse. Nitrogen and S application had a significant (P < 0.01) main and interactive effect on seed yield and dry weight of leaves and stem. Cumulative N and S contents of sunflower seeds, stem and leaves were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by N and S application. Sulphur transport and accumulation in sunflower seeds was increased with S application. There were significant (P < 0.01) correlations between seed yield and N and S content of sunflower plants. Critical S concentration (%) in 60 days old plants was 0.36 for 95 % relative yield of the maximum. Application of 90 mg S kg^-1 with 200 mg N kg^-1 resulted in the highest seed yield and maximum total S and N contents in sunflower leaves, stem and seeds. Relative increase in sunflower seeds yield at higher levels of N and S was more than that of dry weight of stem and leaves.     

氮钾配施对油菜产量及氮素利用的影响

实际生产中氮钾肥投入不平衡严重限制了氮肥肥效及作物的产量潜力。为了探明不同施氮量下钾肥施用对油菜产量及氮素利用的影响,于2016—2017年及2017—2018年在湖北省武穴市开展连续2年的田间试验,采用氮钾两因素完全试验设计,设氮0、90、180、270 kg N hm-2和钾0、60、120、180 kg K2O hm-2各4个水平。在油菜成熟期取样测定产量、地上部氮钾积累量以及氮肥利用率。结果表明,在钾供应不足时(K0和K60),冬油菜施用氮肥的平均增产率为113.7%,而在钾供应充足的条件下(K120和K180),施用氮肥的平均增产率高达172.9%;与K0处理相比, K120处理冬油菜氮肥回收利用率平均提高了16.6%,继续增施钾肥对不同施氮量下冬油菜氮肥回收利用率的进一步提高无显著影响;达到区域平均产量时,钾供应充足较低钾(K60)投入平均降低33.9%的氮肥用量。综上所述,氮钾配施显著提高了冬油菜产量和氮肥利用率,在冬油菜实际生产中除了重视氮肥施用外,应增加钾肥投入,通过优化氮钾肥配施比例可进一步提高油菜产量,实现冬油菜高产和养分高效。     

Sulphur and Micronutrient Nutrition of Groundnut in a Calcareous Soil

Field experiments conducted on a calcareous soil have shown that application of elemental sulphur reduced the chlorosis of groundnut leaves and increased the dry matter, nodule biomass, pod, haulms, and oil yields, and concentration of nutrients in leaf tissue and their uptake by groundnut. The application of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) further helped in recovering the chlorosis of groundnut and increased the above parameters. On average, application of 20 kg S ha⁻¹ as elemental sulphur (S) increased pod yield by 8.6–9.8% and oil yield by 8.8–15%. However, application of 10, 2, and 4 kg ha⁻¹ of Fe, Zn and Mn, increased pods by 19.5, 13.6, and 11.7% and oil yield by 20.1, 13.9 and 12.2%, respectively.     

Analysis of Growth and Productivity of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) in Relation to FYM, Nitrogen and Source of Fertilizer

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 1992–93 and 1993–94 at Anand to study the effect of FYM, nitrogen and source of fertilizer on growth and yield of mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson]. The results showed significant variation in leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), dry matter production and seed yield. The direct effect of farmyard manure (FYM) was conspicuous in improving the growth of mustard. FYM application at 10 tonnes ha⁻¹ significantly increased the LAI, CGR and dry matter accumulation per plant at almost all the stages during first year study (1992–93) and in pooled analysis. Similarly, nitrogen application registered maximum LAI, CGR at 75 kg level and RGR and NAR at 50 kg level at almost all the during both years. Sulphur carrying source (Ammonium sulphate plus single super phosphate) increased all stages growth characters. Maximum dry matter accumulation per plant and seed yield were recorded with highest levels of FYM (20 tonnes ha⁻¹), N (75 kg ha⁻¹) and source having S. Seed yield was strongly associated with LAI and dry matter accumulation per plant at all the stages.     

Effect of Split Nitrogen Application on Growth and Yield of Wheat (T. aestivum L.) Genotypes with Different N-Assimilation Potential

A field experiment was conducted with different nitrogen regimes to assess the growth and yield performance of wheat genotypes which differ in nitrate assimilation potential. Genotypic differences in biomass accumulation were observed at different growth stages. The nitrogen treatment had little effect on biomass accumulation at early stages of growth, while at later stages of growth there was enhanced biomass accumulation when N was applied in more than two splits. On an average, genotypes with high nitrate reductase activity (the 'HNR' genotypes) accumulated 14.2 % more biomass than the genotypes with low nitrate reductase activity ('LNR' genotypes) when an extra dose (40 kg N ha⁻¹) of nitrogen was given at the time of anthesis. The application of nitrogen in more than two splits increased grain yield of both 'HNR' and 'LNR' genotypes mainly by increasing grain weight per ear. The application of an extra dose of nitrogen (40 kg N ha⁻¹) at the time of anthesis increased grain yield of 'HNR' genotypes by 38.5 % as compared to 'LNR' genotypes.     

Yield, Quality and Nitrogen Efficiency in Winter Wheat Fertilized with Increasing N Levels at Different Times

Particular problems in N fertilization of winter wheat are found in areas characterized by excessive drainage and rainy springs. A two yearly experiment was carried out in such an environment (Udine, northern Italy) with the objective of testing the effect of increasing levels of total N supply (0, 70, 140 and 210 kg ha⁻¹) and of different times of late N side-dressing (at stem elongation, booting or flowering) on yield, quality traits and on N use efficiency of the wheat cv. Saliente.
The results obtained indicated that yields of about 5 t ha¹ can be obtained if the N supply permits a crop recovery of 130-140 kg ha⁻¹. Supplying the last N fraction at booting increased the fertility of the spike, the overall quality of the product and the efficiency of the fertilization. N supply can be delayed to flowering time in case of high total N, with further positive effects on the quality of the product. The nitrogen use efficiency was inversely and linearly related to total N supply.     

Effect of Integrated Use of Farmyard Manure and Sulphur in a Soybean and Wheat Cropping System on Nodulation, Dry Matter Production and Chlorophyll Content of Soybean on Swell-Shrink Soils in Central India

In a 3-year experiment on a Typic Haplustert low in soil test sulphur (S), the response to applied farmyard manure (FYM) and S was studied in terms of the nodule production, nodule dry weight, chlorophyll content, dry matter production and seed yield of soybean. FYM was applied to soybean at four levels (0–16 t ha⁻¹). S as gypsum was also applied at four levels (0–60 kg ha⁻¹) to both soybean and wheat every year. Both total and active nodule production, nodule dry weight, dry matter production and seed yield of soybean were increased significantly by the application of both FYM and S. However, the proportion of total nodules to active nodules fell sharply for applications higher than 8 t FYM and 40 kg S ha⁻¹.     

Analysis of Wheat Cultivar Differences in Grain Yield, Grain Nitrogen Yield and Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency.

More detailed information on the causes of yield variability among wheat cultivars is needed to further increase wheat yield. Field studies were conducted in Northern Greece over the two cropping seasons of 1985—1986 and 1986—1987 to assess the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and application timing of the various component traits that determine grain yield, grain nitrogen yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency of two bread ( Triticum aestivum L.) and two durum ( Triticum durum Desf.) wheat cultivars, using yield and yield component analysis. Nitrogen at a rate of 150 kg ha^-1 was applied before planting or 100 N kg ha^-1 before planting and then 50 N kg ha^-1 top dressed at early boot stage. Nitrogen and cultivars affected all traits examined, while split nitrogen application affected only some of the traits. Grain yields in the most cases were correlated with number of grains per unit area and grain weight and grain nitrogen yields in all cases with grain number per unit area. The contribution of the number of grains per spike to total variation in grain yield among cultivars was almost consistent (37 to 55 %), while the contribution of grain weight was more significant (up to 55 %) in high yields (>6.500kg ha^-1) and number of spikes per unit area (>500). The number of grains per spike contributed from 60 to 83 % to the total variation in grain nitrogen per spike. Increased grain nitrogen concentration resulted in a reduction of its contribution in grain nitrogen yield variation. Nitrogen utilization efficiency was higher during grain filling than during vegetative biomass accumulation. The contribution of nitrogen harvest index to the variation of utilization efficiency for grain yield was higher in plants receiving nitrogen application.     

On Increasing Mustard Productivity with an Inexpensive Source of Leaf—applied Phosphorus

A simple randomized field experiment was conducted for two years to test the comparative efficacy of three sources of leaf-applied phosphorus (sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate, diammonium phosphate and monocalcium superphosphate) on the yield performance of mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern. and Coss.) var. Varuna. The quantity of P was 3.5 kg ha⁻¹. In addition, 20 kg N and 2 (or 6) kg S ha⁻¹ were included in the spray applied in two equal splits at 70 and 90 days as supplement to the basal application of 60 kg N, 17.5 kg P and 33.2 kg K ha⁻¹. The two-year data revealed that spray treatments were significantly efficacious in augmenting most of the yield attributing parameters as well as seed and oil yield by about 20% over the water-sprayed control. However, as the three sources of phosphorus proved equally effective, commercial grade monocalcium superphosphate could be preferred over others due to its cost effectiveness and easy availability.     

The Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and Population Density of the Field Bean (Vicia faba L. minor) of Indeterminate and Determinate Growth Habit on the Symbiosis with Root Nodule Bacteria and on the Seed Yield

Field beans of indeterminate (cv. Nadwiślański) and determinate (cv. Tibo) growth habits were grown on field plots with a density of 20, 40 and 80 plants m⁻² at two levels of nitrogen fertilization: low (20 kg N ha⁻¹) and very high (150 kg N ha⁻¹). At the phase of intense pod growth the number and the dry matter weight of root nodules as well as their nitrogenase activity and some features of the plants growth were determined, and in the period of ripeness the components of seed yield were established.
It was found that increased density of sowing as well as the high level of nitrogen fertilization inhibited the growth and development of root nodules and limited their nitrogenase activity in both cultivars. Plants of both varieties were characterized by a similar potential of forming the root nodules, however, in plants of the cv. Tibo the nitrogenase activity of nodules was much lower than in the cv. Nadwiślański.
Increased population density of the plants has in both varieties given increased seed yield when calculated per m² of the soil, compensating in excess the depression of the seed yield from one plant. Such compensation did not occur in the case of the depression of nitrogen fixation under intense nitrogen fertilization.     

Estimation and Partitioning of Nitrogen Fixed by Soybean in Mediterranean Climates

A field study was conducted to estimate the nitrogen fixation by soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.], using the A-value and the N-difference methods, and to examine the N partitioning within the plant. The cultivar Clark and its non-nodulating isoline (as reference crop) were grown in a silty clay (Typic Xerothent) soil, in 1991 and 1992. ₁₅N-Labelled fertilizer was surface applied in solution, at rates of 20 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ to the nodulating and non-nodulating soybean, respectively. Plant samples were taken at full bloom (R2), beginning of seed growth (R5) and physiological maturity (R7). There was little nitrogen fixation at the early growth stages but it increased rapidly during the seed filling period. At R7 nitrogen fixed was estimated by the A-value method as 155 kg N ha_-1 in 1991 and as 240 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1992. The corresponding estimates by the N-difference method were significantly smaller. The seeds had a higher, and the vegetative parts smaller, proportion of fixed nitrogen compared to the whole plant. During the seed filling period, the translocation efficiency for fixed nitrogen was greater (93 % in 1991 and 85 % in 1992) compared to the N derived from soil (75 and 56 %, respectively). It was estimated that, after the harvest of pods, the soil was depleted by a net amount of 121 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1991 and 90 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1992.     

Yield and Resource Use Optimization in Late Transplanted Mint (Mentha arvensis) under Subtropical Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during 1994 and 1995 at Lucknow (26.5°N, 80.5°E, 120 m above mean sea level) to optimize planting density and fertilizer-N application for high essential oil yield of late transplanted mint ( Mentha arvensis ). The treatments studied were 2.5, 2.0 and 1.66 × 10⁵ mint seedlings ha⁻¹ and 0, 80, 160 and 240 kg N ha⁻¹. Under 3 months delayed planting conditions using 2-month-old seedlings, the high planting density of 2.5 × 10⁵ plants ha⁻¹combined with 160 kg N ha⁻¹ gave significantly higher herb and essential oil yields compared with those of lower planting densities (2 and 1.66 × 10⁵ plants ha⁻¹) and all other rates of N application. It is demonstrated that a transplanted mini crop, yielding essential oil at a level of 164 kg ha⁻¹, is feasible after the harvest of rabi cereal, oil seed or legume crops in the north Indian plains.