A review of sulphur fertilizer management for optimum yield and quality of canola in the Canadian Great Plains

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukhdev S. Malhi ◽  
Jeff J. Schoenau ◽  
Cynthia A. Grant

In the Parkland region of the Canadian prairies, Canola (Brassica napus L. or Brassica rapa L.) is an important cash crop. Canola has a high requirement for sulphur (S). However, many soils in this region are deficient or potentially deficient in plant-available S for optimum canola seed yield. Application of sulphate-S at about 15–30 kg S ha-1 is usually sufficient to prevent S deficiency in canola on most of the S-deficient soils. Application of sulphate-S to canola at seeding time gives the highest increase in yield and S uptake. Deficiencies of S in canola plants can be prevented and/or corrected and seed yield improved with the use of sulphate-S fertilizers in the growing season. Application of sulphate-S at bolting can substantially restore seed yield, while an application at early flowering can moderately correct S deficiency damage. Side-banding is the most effective way to apply sulphate-S fertilizers to produce maximum seed yield and to prevent any damage to canola seedlings from seed-row placement. In relatively moist areas, broadcast-incorporation methods can produce seed yield similar to side-banding in most years. Elemental S fertilizers were not effective in increasing seed yield in the year of application, and were generally less effective than sulphate-S fertilizer even after multiyear annual applications, especially when applied in spring. Autumn-applied elemental S was more effective than spring-applied elemental S. Banding delayed availability of elemental S as compared to broadcast application. Use of granular elemental S products is not reliable for optimum seed yield of canola under Canadian prairie conditions on S-deficient soils, particularly in the initial year and with spring application or band placement. Elemental S fertilizers may have a role to maintain or build-up sulphate-S levels in soils marginally low in S where residual benefits are desirable, but management decisions should consider both immediate and long-term effects of S fertilizer on seed yield, seed quality and economics. The findings suggest the need of future research to increase dispersion and distribution of S particles from granules for faster oxidation of elemental S in soil, and to develop elemental S fertilizer products/formulations that can be used on a commercial scale to prevent and/or correct S deficiency in the growing season to optimize seed yield and quality of canola. Research is also required to determine the long-term effects of balanced application of S with other nutrients on soil quality, accumulation and distribution of nitrate-N, sulphate-S and other nutrients in the soil profile, efficiency of nutrient, water and energy use, and crop diseases. More research should be conducted in relation to soil/plant tissue testing issues for optimum seed yield and quality of canola. Key words: Balanced fertilization, canola, elemental S fertilizers, method of application, rate of S, seed quality, seed yield, sulphate-S fertilizers

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márcio S. de Lima ◽  
Antonio I. I. Cardoso ◽  
Marcelo F. Verdial

Squash seeds yield and quality can be improved by proper population plant spacing and the pollen quantity, which influences the pollination quality and fertilization. Nine experiments were conducted as a factorial combination of three spacing between plants (0.8 x 0.3, 0.8 x 0.6 and 0.8 x 0.9 m), two quantities of pollen (50% of an anther and another entire one) and natural insect pollination. Seed and fruit production parameters, and seed quality were evaluated. A randomized complete block design, five replications, with ten plants per plot was adopted. Larger plant spacing increased the average number of mature fruits and seed yield per plant. Seed yield was directly proportional to the amount of pollen used during pollination. Higher amounts of pollen resulted in higher seed yield per area, but the plant spacing did not affect this characteristic. Manual pollination, using a whole anther, did not differ from natural pollination in relation to seed yield and quality.


2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 433-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Darwent ◽  
K. J. Kirkland ◽  
L. Townley-Smith ◽  
K. N. Harker ◽  
A. J. Cessna

Potential use of preharvest applications of glyphosate in canola (Brassica rapa L.) in western Canada both as a harvest aid and to control weeds prompted this study. Experiments were conducted from 1988 to 1990 at four locations in the region to document the effectiveness of preharvest applications of glyphosate to enhance canola seed and foliage drydown and to measure the effect of such applications on seed yield and quality. Glyphosate was applied in early August to early September at rates of 0.45, 0.90 and 1.70 kg acid equivalent ha−1 to canola with seed moisture contents ranging from 79 to 12%. Seed and foliage moisture drydown were not enhanced by glyphosate treatment. Glyphosate treatments generally had little or no effect on canola seed yields, seed weight, seed germination, green seed content or oil content except when applied when the pods were green and when seed moisture contents were high. Seed/pod moisture was not a reliable indicator of stage of canola development and thus, should not be used alone as an indicator of when preharvest applications of glyphosate can be applied to canola without decreasing seed yield and quality. Key words: Glyphosate, canola, Brassica rapa L., preharvest application, desiccation, seed quality


1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 1115-1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. BETTS ◽  
I. N. MORRISON

Fababean plants were swathed or desiccated with diquat [6,7-dihydrodipyrido (1,2-A:2′, 1′-C) pyrazinediium salt] at four stages of maturity corresponding to the time when 0, 10, 25 and 50% of the pods had turned from green to black. Over the 3 yr of the study no significant differences were observed between seed yields from swathed or desiccated plants. Regardless of whether the plants were swathed or desiccated, yields and seed quality tended to be higher from plants which had 25% or more black pods at the time of treatment. Desiccating before 25% of the pods have turned black may have a more serious effect on reducing seed quality than swathing before the recommended time. By desiccating prematurely, there is a risk of reducing seed quality by significantly increasing the number of discolored or shrivelled seeds.


2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Malhi ◽  
R. E. Karamanos

Deficiency of copper (Cu) in Canadian prairie soils is not widespread, but whenever it occurs it can cause a drastic reduction in seed yield and quality of most cereals, especially wheat. Field experiments conducted in western Canada indicated that broadcast-incorporation of granular Cu fertilizers prior to seeding at 3-5.6 kg Cu ha-1 was usually sufficient to prevent Cu deficiency in wheat, and improve seed yield and quality. At lower rates (< 2.0 kg Cu ha-1), broadcast-incorporation of granular Cu fertilizers was not effective, while surface spray-broadcast followed by incorporation of liquid Cu fertilizers was much more effective in increasing seed yield of wheat in the first year of application. Surface broadcast without incorporation and seedrow-placed granular Cu fertilizers were much less effective in improving seed yield of wheat than their foliar or soil-incorporated applications. In the growing season, foliar applications of Cu at 0.20 to 0.28 kg Cu ha-1 to wheat at the Feekes 6 (first node of stem visible at base of shoot or stem elongation), Feekes 10 (sheath of last leaf completely grown or flag-leaf) and early boot growth stages were very effective in restoring seed yield, while Cu applications at the Feekes 2 (four-leaf) or Feekes 10.5 (complete heading) growth stage did not have a consistent effect to correct damage caused by Cu deficiency. Some Cu fertilizers (e.g., Cu oxide) were less effective than others in preventing/correcting Cu deficiency. Soil application at relatively high rates produced residual benefits in increasing seed yield for a number of years. The sensitivity of crops to Cu deficiency is usually in the order (wheat, flax, canary seed) > (barley, alfalfa) > (timothy seed, oats, corn) > (peas, clovers) > (canola, rye, forage grasses). Stem melanosis in wheat was associated with deficiency of Cu in soil, and the disease was reduced substantially with Cu application. A high level of available P in soil was observed to induce/increase severity of Cu deficiency in wheat. Soil analysis for diethylene triamine pentacetic acid- (DTPA) extractable Cu in soil can be used as a good diagnostic tool to predict Cu deficiency, but there was a poor relationship between total Cu concentration in shoots and the degree of Cu deficiency in crops. Application of Cu fertilizers to wheat on Cu-deficient soils also generally improved seed quality. Key words: Application time, Cu source, foliar application, granular Cu, growth stage, placement method, rate of Cu, seedrow-placed Cu, soil incorporation, wheat


2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. PELTONEN-SAINIO ◽  
L. JAUHIAINEN ◽  
K. HAKALA

As the northern hemisphere will experience the greatest increases in temperature and indications of climatic change are already visible in the north (in the 2000s average temperatures exceeded the long-term mean), we sought to establish if there are already signs of increased variability in yield and quality of the major field crops grown under the northernmost European growing conditions: spring and winter cereals (barley Hordeum vulgare L., oat Avena sativa L., wheat Triticum aestivum L., rye Secale cereale L.), spring rapeseed (turnip rape Brassica rapa L., oilseed rape B. napus L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). We used long-term yield datasets of FAO for Finland (1960s to date) and MTT Agrifood Research Finland (MTT) Official Variety Trial datasets on yield and quality of major field crops in Finland since the 1970s. Yield variability was exceptionally high in the 1980s and 1990s, but previously and subsequently national yields were clearly more stable. No progressive increase in yield variability was recorded. No marked and systematic changes in variability of quality traits were recorded, except for rapeseed, which exhibited reduced variability in seed chlorophyll content. This may at least partly attribute to the differences in intensity of input use and thereby responsiveness of the crops before and after 1980 and 1990 decades. We also noted that in the 2000s average temperatures were higher than in earlier decades and this was the case for all months of the growing season except June, which represents, however, the most critical phase for yield determination in most of the field crops in Finland. Also in the 2000s precipitation increased in the first three months of the growing season and thereafter decreased, but without signs of significantly increased numbers of heavy showers (extreme rain events). Hence, in general constant, increased average temperatures during the growing seasons of the 2000s were identified, but with reduced yield variability, which was partly attributable to the diminished use of inputs, especially fertilisers.;


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-50
Author(s):  
Syed Nazrul Islam ◽  
Md. Lutfar Rahman ◽  
Md. Zablul Tareq ◽  
Bornali Mostofa ◽  
Md. Meftahul Karim ◽  
...  

Plants are naturally growing on the soil without hampering the eco-friendly environment. Intensive cultivation of crops with high yielding verities (HYV) hampering the soil health resulting unfertile soil. In addition, frequent uses of chemicals as well as overdose of synthetic fertilizer creating hazardous environment for the living things. However, to meet up the demand of foods as well as other basic requirements of increasing population of the world crop cultivation techniques need to be modernized. To overcome this situation, application of organic fertilizer need to apply regularly. Biochar can be a good source of organic fertilizer and it is currently using to improve the soil health globally. To examine the effect of biochar on jute growth and yield an experiment was set up in two different locations (Jute Agriculture Experimental Station (JAES), Manikganj, and Jute Research Sub Station (JRSS), Jashore of Bangladesh) during the period from August to December, 2019. Results revealed that location (JAES) had significant and positive effect on jute physiology and seed yield and as well as seed quality. Among fourteen treatments, treatment T2 (Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)) showed the highest plant height (163.5 cm), base diameter (7.44 mm) and pod per plant (16.5) compare to the rest treatments. Treatment T6 (RDF 75% + 25%[email protected]) showed the best seed weight (2.13 g) and seed yield/ plant (3.98 g) among all treatments. Interaction among treatments and locations, T2 x L2 affected seed germination (99%) and field emergence (92.33%) positively. From this research it was cleared that biochar alone may not enough but combination is required for improving jute seed yield and quality.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 471-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.K. Mehta ◽  
Tarun Singh ◽  
Rajesh Kanwar

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of head decapitation and planting density on plant growth, seed yield and quality of sprouting broccoli, Brassica oleracea var. italica L. using cultivar ‘Green Head’. The twenty treatments comprised of combinations of four head decapitation methods viz., D1 (decapitation of primary head at appearance and harvesting seeds from secondary heads), D2 (decapitation of primary head at marketable stage and harvesting seeds from secondary heads), D3 (removal of secondary heads at appearance and harvesting seeds primary head) and ‘D4’ (No decapitation- control) and five planting densities viz., S1 (60x60 cm), S2 (60x45 cm), S3(45x45 cm), S4 (60x30 cm), and S5 (45x30 cm). Decapitation of primary head at appearance and harvesting seeds from secondary heads (D1) and planting density S3 (45x45 cm) independently as well as in combination gave highest seed yield per plot and per hectare. This combination was also found comparable to other combinations for other characters like days to 50% flowering, days to seed harvesting, plant height at harvesting (cm), number of branches per plant, number of siliqua per plant, siliqua length (cm), number of seeds per siliqua and seed quality parameters. Therefore, it is suggested that decapitation of primary head at appearance and harvesting seeds from secondary heads (D1) in combination with plant spacing of 45x45 cm i.e. D1S3 can be recommended for commercial seed production of sprouting broccoli.


Author(s):  
Ozlem Alan ◽  
Damla Kanturer ◽  
Alison A. Powell ◽  
Hulya Ilbi

Dill seed production was investigated over two seasons, comprising a spring growing cycle (SGC) and an autumn growing cycle (AGC). The effects of growing cycle on phenological traits, yield and quality of dill seeds formed on different umbels of the mother plant were investigated. Significant differences were noted in the flowering period, seed yield and quality parameters. The SGC resulted in a shorter time from sowing to bolting and flowering initiation compared with the AGC. Plant height, number of umbels/plant, number of umbelets/umbel, umbel diameter, umbel length and seed weight/plant increased in the AGC. In contrast, decreased germination at 20/30°C and at 13°C, and increased mean germination time at 20/30°C in AGC indicated lower seed quality compared with SGC. Primary umbels produced the best yield and higher quality seeds, followed by the secondary umbels while tertiary umbels gave poor yield and quality seeds in both SGC and AGC. In conclusion, AGC was advisable for higher seed yield, but SGC resulted in higher seed quality compared with the AGC. This highlights the need to select a suitable growing cycle to guarantee high seed yield and quality for each seed production environment.


2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Vera ◽  
R. K. Downey ◽  
S. M. Woods ◽  
J. P. Raney ◽  
D. I. McGregor ◽  
...  

Swathing is an important canola (Brassica napus L.) harvest operation in western Canada. The determination of the optimum timing for this operation is worth considering, as premature swathing may lead to reduced seed yield and quality. Seed yield and quality of three canola cultivars (44A89, AC Excel and Ebony), as affected by two seeding dates and several harvest times (six or eight swathing times and one direct combined treatment) was investigated on a Black Chernozem silty loam soil at Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada, during 1998, 2000 and 2001. Seed yield, weight, protein content (oil-free meal basis) and oil content generally increased with seed development and swathing time. Early seeding was more conducive to achieving higher seed yield, especially in good growing conditions, and resulted in heavier mature seeds with higher oil content. Seed oil composition also changed during seed development. The proportion of oleic (C18:1) and linolenic (C18:3) acids increased, while that of myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0), palmitoleic (C16:1), stearic (C18:0), linoleic (C18:2) and ara chidic (C20:0) acids decreased. The levels of the long chain fatty acids eicosenoic (C20:1) and erucic (C22:1) acids were unaffected. However, the overall amount of fatty acids synthesized (mg 100 seeds-1) increased as seeds matured. Swathing was advantageous over direct combining in preventing weather-induced shattering. Key words: Brassica napus, canola, fatty acid, oil, protein, seed development, seed quality, shattering, direct combining, swathing


2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yantai Gan ◽  
Alan D Iwaasa ◽  
Myriam R Fernandez ◽  
Ray McVicar

Late maturity often causes substantial losses in yield and quality of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in the short growing season in western Canada. This study determined optimum harvest management practices to minimize losses due to late maturity. Kabuli chickpea was grown in southwestern Saskatchewan from 2002 to 2004, and seed and straw were harvested with various harvest management practices. Seed yield in 2004 was higher compared with 2002 and 2003, but the 2004 seed samples had a high percentage of shrivelled and green seeds. Seed yield, weight per seed and harvest index (HI) were highest when the crop was directly combined at natural maturity either before or after a killing (-5°C) frost. On average, swathing at early or late maturity stages decreased seed yield, weight per seed and HI significantly compared with direct combine practices. Seeds from the swathing treatments had high percentages of green and shrivelled seeds with high levels of fungal colonization. Both seed and straw from swathing had the poorest feeding quality measured as neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and organic matter content and digestibility. Desiccation of chickpea plants with Reglone or low dosages of glyphosate when 80% of pods had turned colour did not advance plant maturity, nor did they affect seed yield or HI compared with direct combine practices. It is concluded that in the short growing season in western Canada, harvest of chickpea at natural maturity either prior to or after a killing frost may optimize the seed yield and quality. Regardless of harvest practices, the quality of both seed and straw in chickpea may be suitable as salvage feed materials for beef livestock. Key words: Cicer arietinum, desiccation, direct-combine, maturity, glyphosate stress, swath, salvage feed


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