INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR FERTILIZATION AND GROWTH REGULATOR ON MILK THISTLE SEED YIELD AND QUALITY

The effects of foliar fertilization and a growth regulator 5-tert-butyl-N-m-tolylpyrazine-2-carboxamide (MD148/II) on the growth, seed yield, and silymarin content of milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn.) plants were evaluated. The study was conducted over two years at an experimental field on a slightly acid-leached cinnamonic meadow soil. The MD148/II was applied in the beginning of milk thistle flowering stage. Foliar fertilizer was applied at different plant developmental stages with different proportions of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Treatments with foliar fertilizer and MD148/II resulted in improvement of plant biomass, number of plant lateral shoots, flowering rate, and seed yield and the content of some active substances in milk thistle seeds. A reduction of high molecular fatty acids was observed. The increase of seed yield was a result of the flower head setting enhancement. Therefore the combined treatment of foliar fertilizer and MD148/II was efficient in elicitation milk thistle production under field conditions.     

Effect of Soil Fertilizer,Foliar Fertilizer,and Growth Regulator Application on Milk Thistle Development,Seed Yield,and Silymarin Content

Abstract

An important consideration for milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) cultivation is regulating development to lengthen the reproductive stage and increase seed yield with high silymarin content. The treatment of milk thistle with foliar fertilizers and growth regulators—thidiazuron (Dropp^®), 2,3,5‐triiodobenzoic acid (Tiba^®), mepiquat chloride (Pix^®), and prohexadione‐Ca (Regalis^®)—resulted in an increase in the proportion of mature flower heads. Highest seed yield was observed in plants treated with Pix^® and mineral soil fertilization, whereas in plants treated with foliar fertilizers, highest yields were observed with Pix^® and Regalis^®. The highest content of silymarin was found in plants treated with Dropp^® and foliar fertilizer. Generally, treatment of milk thistle with plant‐growth regulators in combination with soil or foliar mineral fertilizers increased the total amount of silymarin by increasing seed yield per hectare.     

Risks of Boron Toxicity in Canola and Lupin by Forms of Boron Application in Acid Sands of South-Western Australia

Boron (B) deficiency frequently occurs on soils that are low in organic carbon (C) (<1.0% organic C), pH (soil pH_Ca <5.0), and clay content (<5% clay). Acid sands with these soil properties are common in south-western Australia (SWA). Moreover, hot calcium chloride (CaCl₂) extractable B levels are commonly marginal in the acid sands of SWA. This study examined the effects of soluble and slow release soil-applied B fertilizer and foliar B sprays on crops most likely to respond to B fertilizer on these soils, canola (oil-seed rape, Brassica napus L.) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.).

At 25 sites over three years, canola was grown with (0.34 kg ha-¹) or without B applied as borax [sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O) 11% B], and this was followed by nine experiments with B rates [0, 0.55, 1.1 kg ha^?1, applied as borax or calcium borate (ulexite, NaCaB₅O₆(OH)₆·5(H₂O), 13% B] and foliar sprays (0.1% solution of solubor, 23% B) in 2000–2001. A further five sites of B rates and sources experiments were carried out with lupin in 2000–2001. Finally, foliar B sprays (5% B w/v as a phenolic complex) at flowering were tested on seven sites in farmers’ canola crops for seed yield increases. No seed yield increases to soil-applied B were found while foliar B application at flowering increased canola seed yield in only one season across seven locations. By contrast, borax fertilizer drilled with the seed at sowing decreased canola seed yield in nine of 34-farm sites, and decreased lupin yield in two of five trials. Toxicity from drilled boron fertilizer decreased yield could be explained by decreases in plant density (by 22–40%) to values lower than required for optimum seed yield. Seedling emergence was decreased by borax applied at sowing but less so by calcium borate. Foliar B spray application never reduced seed yield due to toxicity effects.

Boron fertilizer drilled with the seed increased the B concentration in plant dry matter at early to mid-flowering. Boron application decreased the oil concentration of grain of canola at four sites. The oil yield of canola was significantly decreased at seven sites.

Notwithstanding the marginal B levels on acid sands of the SWA region, care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha^?1(3-10 kg borax ha^?1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl₂ soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.     

Effect of dose and type of fertilizer on flowering and fruiting of vanilla plants

Nutritional status affects the processes of flowering and fruiting of plants. This study was conducted to determine the effects of fertilizer application on flowering, fruiting, and leaf nutrient content of Vanilla planifolia (Jacks. ex Andr). Treatments consisted of the application of grade 10-20-20 nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer to the substratum in annual doses of 20, 50, and 100 g/plant plus a monthly application of foliar fertilizer. Two more treatments were foliar fertilization and no fertilization (control). Treatments increased the number of inflorescences and flower buds per plant, as well as the number and weight of fruits per plant, and decreased the abortion of flowers and immature fruits. These effects depended on the type of fertilizer, the amount applied, and the time of evaluation. The best results were obtained with the 100 g/plant/year treatment with an annual production of 1.5 kg of fruits per plant in the second year. Unfertilized plants produced 0.55 kg/plant/year. Differences were also found in foliar content of N, P, K, and copper (Cu) between vegetative and reproductive branches. Application of fertilizer to the substratum appears to improve reproductive parameters of vanilla plants and the production of beans, while foliar fertilization alone was ineffective in increasing crop productivity. Nutrients also seem to translocate from mature leaves to fruit racemes.     

Effects of Topographic Factors of the Site on the Essential Oil Compounds of Artemisia aucheri Aerial Parts Grown in a Mountainous Region

In this study, the chemical compositions of the essential oils from the aerial parts of Artemisia aucheri, grown in a mountainous region in Ghamsar Province, central Iran, have been analyzed by using gas chromatography (GC)–mass spectroscopy (MS) to determine how they are affected by topographic factors (site direction and elevation). Plants were sampled at random in full flowering stage in a completely randomized (CR) design with three replications. The essential oil was extracted by a modified Likens–Nickerson's simultaneous distillation–extraction (SDE) technique. Analysis of the plant oils on the sites [in two directions, north–south (N/S) and east–west (E/W)] and five elevations resulted in 30 identified compounds. Of the oil samples collected, the 99.94% of the components at the N/S site and 99.89% at the E/W site were identified. The main component in the two directions (N/S and E/W) was α-thujone with 19.5% and 18%, respectively. Other significant components in the two directions include α-pinene, davanone, camphor, and camphene. The percentages of all these main compounds on the N/S site were more than on the E/W site. Also, the main compounds increased with increasing altitude and at all five elevations. Among all the oil compounds, the percentages of α-thujone, α-pinene, and camphor were the greatest. Finally, at all the elevations, the percentage of the α-thujone was the greatest among the different oil compounds.     

Effect of Foliar Application of Urea on Reproductive Abscission and Grain Yield of Soybean

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max L., Merr.) is considered to have relatively high level of reproductive abscission, but research information on how fertilizer use influences this problem is scanty. Field trials were therefore carried out for two seasons (1996 and 1998) to investigate the abscission levels of three soybean cultivars (TGX 536‐02D, TGM 579, and Samsoy 11) as affected by foliar application of urea during the early reproductive stages. Flowering was not significantly increased by urea application, although all fertilized plants had fewer flower abortions than control. Fertilizing twice at full‐flowering and pod‐setting (R2–R3) or thrice at first‐flowering, full‐flowering, and pod setting (R1–R2–R3) stages gave the least flower abortion. In TGX 536‐02D the average flower abortion was 61% in 1996 and 57% in 1998. The abortion rate was about 60% for TGM 579 in 1996 and Samsoy 11 in 1998, respectively. Percentage pod abortion was generally reduced especially at the R1–R2–R3 stage, while the proportion of aborted grains was highest in the unfertilized plants. Fertilizing at R2–R3 and R1–R2–R3 reduced seed abortion by about 8% in TGX 536‐02D. The grain yield of fertilized soybean was between 6 and 68% higher than the control. These increases were attributed to higher number of pods and meaningful reductions in flower and pod abortions. Foliar applied urea at R2–R3 gave satisfactory results but the best stage of application was R1–R2–R3.     

Productivity and Chemical Composition of Tomato and Cucumber Plants Growing in Natural Soils Fertilized with Biona‐312

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of small additions of ion exchange substrate, Biona‐312, to soil on the yield and mineral composition of cherry tomato cv. ‘Koralik’ and cucumber cv. ‘Hermes F₁.’ The test plants were grown under greenhouse conditions and subjected to 0, 2, and 5% (mass) Biona‐312 doses introduced into the soil. The study results showed that Biona‐312 introduced into soil significantly increased the yield of the test species at the flowering and fruiting stage. Soil enrichment with 2 and 5% Biona additions generally increased the nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (N‐P‐K) content in tomato and cucumber organs at the flowering and fruiting stage with parallel magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) content decrease. Introduction of nutrients together with the ion exchange substrate did not cause negative effects of overfertilization, and thus the ion exchange substrate can be recommended as a fertilizer in tomato and cucumber cultivation.     

Effects of foliar fertilization on yield,protein, oil and elemental composition of two soybean varieties

Abstract

The effects of foliar fertilization on the yield and seed composition of two soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) varieties were investigated under mid‐Missouri conditions over a 2‐year period. The foliar fertilizer treatments consisted of (i) 80–8–24–4 (NPKS) kg/ha, (ii) 40–4–12–2 (NPKS) kg/ha, and (in) control (no foliar treatment) with the optimum proportion of N:P:K:S in the solution 10:1:3:0.5 respectively. Nutrient sources were urea, potassium polyphosphate, and potassium sulfate. Water solutions of fertilizers (pH 6.9) containing 0.1% Tween 80 (v/v) were sprayed on the plants using a CO₂ ‐ pressurized back‐pack sprayer. Foliar fertilizer was split between four equal applications during the seed filling period. The variety Mitchell at the higher rate and the variety Williams at the lower fertilizer application rate produced slight, though statistically insignificant, yield increases. At the higher rate of application, the seed protein contents of both varieties increased, while the oil contents decreased. The concentrations of P and K in the seeds were not affected by foliar fertilization, but at the higher rate, there was a small decrease in S content of Williams variety.     

Boron fertilization improves seed yield and harvest index of Camelina sativa L. by affecting source-sink

The impact of soil (1, 2 kg ha^?1) and foliar (100, 200 mg L^?1) boron (B) with control (no B) was evaluated on phenology and yield formation of Camelina each applied at stem elongation and flowering stages. Foliar (200 mg L^?1) or soil B (2 kg ha^?1) resulted in earlier flowering and maturity, increased fruit bearing branches (19.68%), number of siliqua, seeds per siliqua (4.6%), biological yield (15%), seed yield (24%), harvest index (11.4%) and oil contents (23%) than no B. Increased fruit bearing branches, seed filled siliqua or seed numbers, harvest index and oil quality can be attributed to changes in dry matter accumulated of stem with simultaneous increase in siliqua dry weight with foliar or soil applied B. In crux, foliar (200 mg L^?1) or soil applied (2 kg ha^?1) B seems promising to improve seed and oil yield, harvest index of Camelina sativa under B deficient condition.     

Effects of Salinity Stress at Different Growth Stages on Tomato Growth,Yield, and Water-Use Efficiency

This study investigated the effects of salinity stress at different growth stages on the growth, yield, fruit quality, and water-use efficiency (WUE) of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants cultivated under soilless conditions. Six different growth stages were exposed to the same salinity stress treatments using a completely randomized design, with three pots (six plants) per treatment. It was found that short-term (<21 days) salinity stress during any of the growth stages did not affect tomato growth or WUE, and during the vegetative stage did not affect yield. Salinity stress during the flowering and fruiting stages caused a reduction in tomato yield, which was due to a reduction in the number of fruit produced rather than the fruit size. However, salt exposure at the fruiting stage also improved fruit quality. The effect of salinity stress on the yield and fruit quality of the frontal and later truss depended on the developmental stage of the truss at the time when the stress occurred.     

Yield and quality of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) in relation to basal and foliar application of nitrogen and phosphorus

A split‐plot field trial was conducted to study the effect of foliar application of 0 kg/ha (control), 20 kg N/ha, 2 kg P/ha or 20 kg N + 2 kg P/ha at two basal levels, viz., 90 kg N + 40 kg P/ha (optimal dose) and 60 kg N + 27 kg P/ha (sub‐optimal dose). Each group received 50 kg K/ha, which was applied uniformly on the yield and quality of fennel. Spray was applied at the flowering stage, 120 days after sowing.

The optimal basal dose gave better results than did the sub‐optimal one. Spray of 20 kg N + 2 kg P/ha proved optimum. This spray proved more effective at sub‐optimal than at optimal basal dose. The percentage of anethole (but not of fenchone) in the essential oil was significantly higher in plants grown with the sub‐optimal basal dose. Foliar application of N, P and N + P, on the other hand, decreased the anethole content of oil and increased that of fenchone significantly. Hence, foliar feeding may be recommended if the oil is required for perfumery and confectionary industries.     

Seasonal growth and composition and accumulation of N‐P‐K in dryland and irrigated pumpkins

Growth and N‐P‐K uptake in pumpkin (Curcubita moschata Poir.) cv ‘Libby‐Select’ were studied in dryland and irrigated culture. In both moisture regimes, maximum rates of dry matter accumulation occurred between the early and mid‐fruiting developmental stages. Higher total dry matter production with irrigated than dryland culture was primarily associated with increased shoot growth. Concentrations of N, P, and K in foliage generally decreased as pumpkin age increased. Irrigated pumpkins in conjunction with higher total vegetative dry matter accumulated more N, P, and K than dryland pumpkins. Up through early fruit development, N, P, and K accumulation was primarily in leaves and vines and by the late growth stages was almost entirely in the fruit. Total N, P, and K uptake at late fruiting was estimated at 219, 32, and 228 kg/ha in irrigated pumpkins and 180, 21, and 177 kg/ha in dryland pumpkins. Approximately 58% of the N, 52% of the K, and 68% of the P accumulated by late‐fruiting was absorbed by the plant after the early‐fruiting stage in both moisture regimes. Potassium redistribution from vegetative tissues during late fruit development decreased foliar K contents 32% in dryland pumpkins and 21% in irrigated pumpkins.     

Alleviation of drought stress in winter wheat by late foliar application of zinc,boron, and manganese

In many regions, drought during flowering and grain‐filling inhibits micronutrient acquisition by roots resulting in yield losses and low micronutrient concentrations in cereal grains. A field and a greenhouse experiment were conducted to study the effect of foliar applications of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and manganese (Mn) at late growth stages of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown with or without drought stress from booting to maturity. Foliar applications of Zn, B, and Mn did not affect grain yield in the absence of drought. However, under drought, foliar application of Zn and B in the field increased grain yield (15% and 19%, respectively) as well as raising grain Zn and B concentration, while Zn and Mn sprays in the greenhouse increased grain yield (13% and 10%, respectively), and also increased grain Zn and Mn concentrations. Furthermore, under drought stress both in the field and greenhouse experiment the rate of photosynthesis, pollen viability, number of fertile spikes, number of grains per spike, and particularly water‐use efficiency (WUE) were increased by late foliar application of micronutrients. These results indicate that by increasing WUE foliar application of Zn, B, and Mn at booting to anthesis can reduce the harmful effects of drought stress that often occur during the late stages of winter wheat production. These findings therefore are of high relevance for farmers' practice, the extension service, and fertilizer industry.     

Effect of nitrogen‐application rate on the biomass,concentration, and composition of essential oils in the leaves and roots of three types of parsley

The effect of four levels of nitrogen (N) application (3.2, 16.2, 32.4, and 48.6 g m^–2) on the biomass and concentration and composition of essential oils of three parsley types (plain leaf, turnip‐rooted, curl leaf) was investigated in order to determine the optimum N level for oil production by this crop. The concentration of essential oils in the roots and leaves of plain leaf parsley and turnip‐rooted parsley was not affected by N application, but decreased with increasing N rate in curl leaf parsley. However, because the mean foliage biomass for all three types was about 2.5 times higher at 16.2 g m^–2 N than in the low‐N‐rate treatment, the mean foliar oil yield increased from 0.68 to 1.38 g m^–2. Root biomass increased by a factor of 1.7 at 16.2 g m^–2 N (compared to the low‐N‐rate treatment), but oil yield increased only marginally from 0.3 to 0.4 g m^–2. The composition of the essential oils of roots and leaves differed between parsley types. Increasing N application caused a reduction in the percentage of β‐phellandrene in the essential oils of parsley leaves. In turnip‐rooted parsley, increasing N caused a reduction in the percentage of myristicin and apiole. Because these three components of the essential oils contribute to parsley aroma, it may be concluded that although application of N fertilizer leads to higher parsley biomass and oil yield per plant, the essential oil components may change and aroma quality may be affected negatively.     

新疆‘叶尔羌’扁桃果实不同生育期叶片氮磷钾光谱特性研究

【目的】通过分析果实不同生育期叶片光谱反射率对N、 P、 K的响应,探寻采用叶片光谱指数诊断N、 P、 K敏感时期,为新疆莎车‘叶尔羌’扁桃简便快捷的非破坏性营养诊断提供最佳时间窗。【方法】采用“3414”肥料效应试验,利用Unispec-SC光谱仪测定莎车‘叶尔羌’扁桃在不同N、 P、 K施肥水平下果实座果期、 膨大期、 硬核期、 成熟期叶片的光谱反射率。【结果】‘叶尔羌’扁桃果实不同生育期叶片光谱反射率波动取决于波长,在可见光波段变异最小。光谱反射率总体上呈现硬核期＞座果期＞膨大期＞成熟期。在不同N、 P、 K施肥水平下,‘叶尔羌’扁桃果实不同生育期光谱指数(ND705)之间均存在显著差异(P＜0.05)或者极显著差异(P＜0.01)。叶尔羌扁桃果实座果期、 膨大期、 硬核期、 成熟期叶片氮素的敏感波段分别为815~894 nm,375~398 nm,608~616 nm,429~437 nm; 磷素的敏感波段为766~802 nm,1023~1063 nm,708~713 nm,1130 nm; 座果期、 膨大期、 成熟期叶片钾素的敏感波段分别为815~894 nm,345~368 nm,475~491 nm。【结论】果实成熟期与硬核期是N、 P、 K叶片光谱营养诊断的敏感时期。叶尔羌扁桃果实座果期、 膨大期、 硬核期、 成熟期叶片N素的敏感波段分别为815~894 nm,375~398 nm,608~616 nm,429~437 nm; P素的敏感波段为766~802 nm,1023~1063 nm,708~713 nm,1130 nm; 座果期、 膨大期、 成熟期叶片钾素的敏感波段分别为815~894 nm,345~368 nm,475~491 nm。     

Determination of Optimum Rate and Growth Stage for Foliar‐Applied Phosphorus in Corn

Abstract

Foliar applications of fertilizer phosphorus (P) could improve use efficiency by minimizing soil applications. Nine experiments were conducted in 2002 and 2003 to determine foliar P rates and appropriate growth stages for application. Treatments comprised of 10 factorial combinations of three foliar P application timings and four rates of foliar P. Foliar application times were V4 (collar of fourth leaf visible), V8 (collar of eighth leaf visible), and VT (last branch of the tassel completely visible but silks not yet emerged) corn growth stages. Foliar P rates were 0, 2, 4, and 8 kg ha^?1. Foliar P applied at the VT growth stage improved grain and forage P concentration, which was reflected in increased grain yield in some of the experiments. A foliar P rate of 8 kg ha^?1 improved yield to some extent and forage and grain P concentration more than the smaller rates. The results suggest that foliar P could be used as an efficient P‐management tool in corn when applied at the appropriate growth stage and rate.     

“Szampion” Apple Tree Response to Foliar Titanium Application

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine effect of foliar titanium (Ti) application on vigor, fruiting, and quality and fruit storability of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees. The experiment was carried out during 2000–2001 on mature “Szampion” apple trees/M.26 planted in a course-textured soil with a low level of organic matter and optimal status of nutrients. The trees were sprayed with TiCl₄ solution: (1) before blooming, at the stage of green and pink bud; (2) during blooming, at the beginning of flowering and the petal fall; (3) after blooming, 1 and 3 weeks after petal fall; and (4) before fruit picking, 4 and 2 weeks before commercial harvest. In each spray, Ti was applied at a rate of 2.5 g ha^?1. Trees sprayed with water served as a control. The results showed that foliar Ti sprays had no effect on vigor, fruit set, yielding, and appearance and apple storability. Foliar Ti application after flowering increased leaf Ti 30, 60, and 90 days after full bloom. Titanium sprays before harvest enhanced status of this element in fruit and leaves 90 days after bloom. Concentrations of essential macro- and microelements in leaf and fruit tissues were not affected by foliar Ti sprays. These results indicate that foliar Ti sprays of apple trees are not beneficial under conditions of optimal nutrition.     

Alfalfa responses to foliar and soil applications of manganese

Abstract

Manganese (Mn) deficiency often occurs in crops grown on well‐limed sandy soils of the Atlantic Coastal Plain region of the United States. This study was conducted to compare the responses of established alfalfa (Medicago sativa S.) to various application methods of manganese sulfate (MnSO₄) fertilizer. Experiments conducted in farmers’ fields at three New Jersey locations determined the effects of applied Mn on forage yield, tissue Mn concentration, and leaf chlorophyll meter readings. An untreated control was compared to the following treatments: foliar Mn applied once before each harvest, foliar Mn applied twice before each harvest, and a one‐time broadcast Mn application in April Or May at 22.4 kg Mn/ha to the soil surface. The rate of foliar Mn used in 1990 was 1.12 kg Mn/ha and in 1991 was 0.56 kg Mn/ha at each treatment time. Forage yield increases were greater with foliar than soil‐applied Mn but there were no differences between foliar‐applied Mn treatments. Total seasonal forage yields were increased (P<0.05) at all three locations with foliar‐applied Mn but at only one location with soil‐applied Mn. When averaged across all locations, forage yields were 6.4% higher than the control for the foliar‐applied Mn treatments compared to 2.9% higher for the soil‐applied Mn treatment. A Mn concentration of 21 mg/kg was determined as the critical level in the upper 15 cm of alfalfa tissue at the early bloom growth stage. Foliar Mn applied twice between harvests most effectively increased tissue Mn concentrations. Soil‐applied Mn initially increased tissue Mn concentration, but there was little long‐term benefit from this treatment. Applied Mn was observed to improve leaf color and chlorophyll meter readings of Mn‐deficient alfalfa. Results indicate that foliar Mn applied before each harvest was a more effective treatment for correction of Mn deficiency of alfalfa than a one‐time soil application of Mn.     

Uptake and translocation of nitrogen in patumma (Curcuma alismatifolia) by leaves or root

An adequate supply of nitrogen (N) is important for patumma growth and flower quality. This study aimed to compare the uptake and translocation of N by foliar and root application. Fertilization with ¹⁵ nitrate (NO₃)-N via roots or leaves was carried out at four stages, at the 1st to 4th fully expanded leaf (FEL) stages, and the plants were sampled at each successive stage. The uptake and translocation of ¹⁵N from foliar or root applications showed relatively similar patterns at all stages. Although the N fertilizer utilization rate by roots was higher than that via leaves, the foliar application stimulated reproductive growth by earlier flowering. The N supplied at the 1st FEL and the 2nd FEL was utilized mainly in leaves, whereas supplying N at the 3rd and 4th FEL promoted flower quality. Fertilizer application method and stage of application influence the utilization rate and translocation of N to the sink organs.     

Effect of nitrogen application at the flowering stage on the quality of soybean seeds

Application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer at the flowering stage changed the contents of storage compounds in seeds of Soybean (Glycine max L. cvs Enrei and Tamahomare). The effects of the N application on the maturation of soybean seeds were examined by comparing changes in the contents of amino acids, sugars, water, protein, and oil in seeds from N‐dressed plants (NDS) with those from undressed plants (UDS) during maturation. The application resulted in a decrease of contents of total and some amino acids (glutamine and asparagine) in developing seeds except for at the early maturation stage and in a decreased protein content of mature seeds. On the other hand, the N application led to faster accumulation of oil in developing seeds and to an increased oil content of mature seeds. Based on these results, it was concluded that the N application at the flowering stage changed the composition of solutes imported by developing seeds and resulted in variations in the contents of storage compounds. The results indicate that it is possible to improve seed quality by fine control of N application.