Perspective on oil flax yield and dry biomass with reduced nitrogen supply

Field experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design to determine effects of nitrogen (N) application levels (J0: 150 ​kg/hm², J1: 120 ​kg/hm², J2: 90 ​kg/hm², J3: 60 ​kg/hm²) on regulating dry biomass accumulation, allocation and translocation, and grain yield of oil flax during 2018 cropping season. Significant promotion was observed in dry matter during accumulation stage of oil flax, when N rate was reduced by 40% (from 150 to 90 ​kg/hm²). Under J2 treatment, translocation of dry matter from vegetative organs to pod increased by 38.46% and 61.54% respectively, when compared with J1 and J0 treatment. Dry matter distribution proportion of pod at maturity increased 4.47%–7.61%, contribution rate of leaf to grain upgraded 5.09%–8.77%, and number of effective pods and grains per pod increased by 27.16%–45.38% and 6.49%–26.59% respectively compared to other treatments. As a result, seed yield of oil flax under J2 treatment was 2.23%–18.21% higher than those of other treatments. Our study recommended 90 ​kg/hm² as the best N fertilizer level to improve seed yield of oil flax.