The effect of planting date and plant density on nitrogen uptake and nitrogen harvest by Brussels sprouts

Summary

Single and combined effects of three planting dates and three plant densities on nitrogen uptake and nitrogen harvest by Brussels sprouts (Brassica olerácea var. gemmifera) were studied in field experiments. The total amount of nitrogen taken up by the crop at harvest ranged between 220 and 325 kg ha^–1. Although final crop dry matter decreased, total nitrogen uptake was not lower when planting was delayed. This resulted in increased nitrogen concentrations both in the total crop and in the harvested product. Forty to fifty per cent of the nitrogen taken up by the harvest was removed from the field with the product. Within the range of 2.7 to 4.4 plants per m², plant density had no effect on final nitrogen uptake nor on the amount of nitrogen harvested with the product. The results indicate that nitrogen fertilizer recommendations should take planting date into account, because with delayed planting less dry matter will be accumulated with a corresponding lower nitrogen requirement. There was no interaction of effects of planting date and plant density on nitrogen uptake.