Camelina Yield and Quality Response to Combined Nitrogen and Sulfur

Abstract

Camelina [Camelina sativa L. Crantz], an oilseed crop in the Brassicaceae family, was field tested at multiple locations in the Maritime Provinces of eastern Canada in 2012 to evaluate the effects of N and S on seed yield, protein content, protein yield, oil content, and fatty acid profile. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block factorial design with six N rates (20, 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 kg ha–1 N), two S rates (0 and 25 kg ha–1 S) and two lines of camelina (CDI005 and CDI007). The application of N increased the seed yield, protein content, protein yield, and percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); however, N rate was negatively correlated with oil content and resulted in a reduction of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). The optimum N rate for yield ranged from 120 to 160 kg ha–1 N. Sulfur affected yield, protein content, protein yield, oil content, percentage of MUFA, and percentage of PUFA only when the N level was sufficient.