Effect of combined nitrogen and sulphur fertilization on yield and qualitative parameters of Camelina sativa [L.] Crtz. (false flax)

Abstract

Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crtz., false flax) is described as a species requiring fewer inputs than other oilseed crops thus making it an interesting alternative in sustainable cropping systems. As information on the combined effects of nitrogen and sulphur on camelina yield and quality parameters is meagre, a pot fertilization experiment was carried out with nitrogen applied as NH₄NO₃ at three increasing rates equivalent to a range from 63 up to 127 kg ha^?1. These treatments were combined with sulphur additions applied as (NH₄)₂SO₄ to achieve a soil sulphate content of 25 or 45 mg kg^?1, respectively (equivalent to 75 and 135 kg S ha^?1). The medium and high nitrogen rates combined with the low sulphur fertilization level increased the number of branches per plant compared with the lowest nitrogen fertilization at the same sulphur rate. Camelina seed yield increased with increasing nitrogen doses at the same low sulphur level, whereas straw yield increased only at the highest rate of nitrogen. Thousand-seed mass increased at the highest nitrogen dose and with the low sulphur application rate. In addition, the increase in nitrogen fertilization reduced seed oil content from 39.8% to 37.1%. A highly negative correlation was observed between oil and protein content of seeds. Nitrogen fertilization increased total oil yield and total protein yield. Differences in crop parameters between the sulphur treatments were not significant statistically, although the higher sulphur treatment tended to increase seed yield as well as oil and protein content compared with the low sulphur treatment. Thus, the combined application of N and S as mineral fertilizers is only recommended when growing camelina on sulphur-deficient soils if the aim is to achieve both high oil and protein production.     

Soil water conservation and yield of winter sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) as influenced by tillage, organic materials and nitrogen fertilizer in semi-arid tropical India

Soil water and nutrients play an important role in increasing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) yields in the Vertisols of semi-arid tropics during post-rainy season. The effects of tillage practices, organic materials and nitrogen fertilizer on soil properties, water conservation and yield of sorghum were evaluated during winter seasons of 1994–1995 and 1995–1996 on deep Vertisols at Bijapur in the semi-arid tropics of Karnataka State (Zone 3) of south India. Conservation and availability of water and nutrients during different stages of crop growth were increased by deeper tillage resulting in increased grain yield of winter sorghum. Medium and deep tillage increased the grain yield by 23% (1509 kg ha⁻¹) and 57% (1919 kg ha⁻¹) during 1994–1995 and 14% (1562 kg ha⁻¹) and 34% (1835 kg ha⁻¹) during 1995–1996, respectively, over shallow tillage. Water use efficiency increased from shallow (4.90 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) to deep tillage (7.30 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹). Greater water use efficiency during 1994–1995 as compared to 1995–1996 was attributed to lower consumptive use of water during 1994–1995. Among organic materials, application of Leucaena loppings conserved larger amounts of water and increased winter sorghum yield and water use efficiency. Application of Leucaena loppings increased the winter sorghum grain yield by 9% (mean of 1994–1995 and 1995–1996) as compared to vermicompost. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher water use efficiency of 6.32 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ was observed in Leucaena loppings incorporated plots compared to 5.72 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ from vermicompost. Grain yield increased by 245 kg ha⁻¹ with application of 25 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1994–1995, and a further increase in N application to 50 kg ha⁻¹ increased the grain yield by about 349 kg ha⁻¹ in 1995–1996. Deep tillage with application of 25 kg N ha⁻¹ resulted in significantly higher sorghum yield (2047 kg ha⁻¹) than control during 1994–1995. Deep tillage with integrated nutrient management (organic and inorganic N sources) conserved higher amount of soil water and resulted in increased sorghum yields especially during drought years.     

Effect of time of application and amount of nitrogen fertilizer on seed yield and concentration of oil in canola (Brassica napus)

The seed (grain) yield increases (responses) and concentration of oil in seed responses of canola (Brassica napus L.) to applications of fertilizer nitrogen (N), as urea (46% N), was measured in eight field experiments in south-western Australia (SWA). Nitrogen was applied at five different times of application, either at sowing or at three to four weekly intervals until 12–16 weeks (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 or 0, 4, 8, 12, 16) after seedling emergence. Canola, sown in late May to early June, was grown on a range of soil types in different locations of SWA. The greater the amount of N applied and the closer N was applied to the sowing of the canola seed usually gave the largest seed yield increase at both higher rainfall sites (> 500 mm) and lower rainfall sites (<350 mm). Maximum seed yield of canola were reached within nine weeks after seedling emergence. The exception was for a sandy soil (Fluventic Lithic Xerochrept; Brown Tenosol) at Narrogin where applications of N at six, nine, or 12 weeks after emergence gave higher yields compared to N applied earlier mainly due to N leaching in June and July.

The amount of N required for 90% of maximum seed (N_90%Y) yield ranged from five to 58 kg N ha^?1 with the amount depended on location and growing season. For six of the eight sites the higher amounts of N for N_90%Y were required at sowing and three weeks after emergence. Similarly, N use efficiency (NUE, kg grain produced kg N applied^?1) tended was highest for either the N applied at sowing or within three to four weeks after emergence of seedlings. The exception was for a sandy soil at Narrogin where applications of N at six, nine, or 12 weeks after emergence gave higher NUE compared to N applied earlier. N use efficiency decreased as the amount of N increased for all times of N application. Generally, the amount of N applied decreased the oil concentration of canola seed at each time of application. However, the effect of the time of application of N fertilizer on the decrease in oil concentration of canola seed was largest with the highest N level applied at 12 or 16 weeks after seedling emergence. The percentage the oil concentrations decreased as the amount of N applied increased varied with location and growing season. Further research work is required to elucidate the interaction between the growing season, possible rainfall and temperature, and the effects of N on grain yield and oil concentration in seed.     

不同水氮组合对全立架栽培伽师瓜产量与品质的影响

全立架露地栽培伽师瓜（Cucumis melo var. saccharinus Naud）是一种集高密度、 覆膜、 立架于一体的立体种植新模式。本文在极端干旱的喀什地区灌溉条件下,研究不同水氮组合对全立架栽培伽师瓜产量、 品质、 水氮资源利用效率的影响,结果表明,施氮肥能使全立架栽培伽师瓜单果重增加而使产量提高31.0%。而当施氮量增至375 kg/hm2 且灌水8250 m3/hm2 时,又显著增加烂果率。灌水量为67507500 m3/hm2时氮素利用效率最高,并随施氮量的增加而降低。施氮量为225 kg/hm2 时灌水利用效率最高。施氮量375 kg/hm2时的果肉维生素C含量较不施氮肥降低11.3%~25.6%。不同灌水量对果实果肉比例及果皮比例无显著影响,而施用氮肥可增加果实的果肉比例、 降低胎座子粒的质量百分比。当全立架露地栽培伽师瓜的产量达81745 kg/hm2时,适宜的水氮组合为全生育期施氮303 kg/hm2、灌水7405 m3/hm2,且能保证果实品质。     

氮钾肥配合施用对桑叶产量品质及蚕茧质量的影响

通过连续4年田间施肥试验和一季养蚕试验,研究了氮肥和钾肥配合施用对桑叶产量、品质及相应桑叶喂饲家蚕对蚕生长及蚕茧品质的影响。结果表明,桑园施用氮钾肥显著提高桑叶产量,在氮钾肥各养分配比中,以高氮高钾处理(N450K300)的产量最高,比N0K0处理年均增产35.2%,与其他各处理产量差异显著。桑叶品质分析结果表明,桑叶中必需氨基酸、氨基酸总量、粗蛋白、油脂含量随氮肥用量增加而提高,但单施氮肥会对蛋氨酸和油脂含量产生负面影响;施钾导致糖分含量下降,其他品质参数值随钾肥施用而提高,氮钾肥配合施用具有提高桑叶品质的作用。养蚕结果表明,桑园增施氮钾肥生产出的桑叶,有助于降低蚕茧的死笼率、具有提高全茧量和茧层率及提高蚕茧产量的作用。蚕茧上茧率、茧丝长、解舒率和茧丝净度随着钾肥用量的增加而提高,在施钾基础上增加氮肥用量有提高蚕茧品质的作用,但不施钾只施氮肥对上茧率有负面影响,说明氮钾肥配合施用能促进蚕茧质量的提高。     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.