Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nitrogen (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 kg ha−1) and sulfur (0, 15, and 30 kg ha−1) fertilization on the morphometric parameters of plants, seed yield components, seed and straw yield, N fertilizer use efficiency (NFUE), and quality of crambe seeds. The experiment had a randomized complete block design, and it was carried out in Bałcyny (northeastern Poland) in 2017–2019. In northeastern Poland, the average seed yields ranged from 0.96 to 1.64–1.82 Mg ha−1 (hulled seeds). Seed yield increased significantly in response to 120 kg N ha−1 and 15 kg S ha−1. The NFUE of crambe decreased by 28% with a rise in N rate. Hulled crambe seeds accumulated 324–394 g kg−1 DM of crude fat, 208–238 g kg−1 DM of total protein, and 118–137 g kg−1 DM of crude fiber. Nitrogen fertilization decreased the crude fat content (by 6%), and it increased the total protein content (by 11%) and the crude fiber content (by 14%) of crambe seeds. Sulfur fertilization increased crude fat content (by 4–5%) without inducing significant differences in the total protein content and the crude fat content of seeds.
Highlights
The oil from plants of the family Brassicaceae is a natural source of erucic acid (EA, C22:1 ), one of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs)
The cultivation of HEAR with other rapeseed cultivars is difficult due to high levels of gene flow mediated by pollen and seeds [5,6]
In the group of Brassica crops best suited for cultivation in Poland, C. abyssinica is characterized by high yield variation (65%) next to camelina (74%) and garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) (62%) [35]
Summary
The oil from plants of the family Brassicaceae is a natural source of erucic acid (EA, C22:1 ), one of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). The cultivation of HEAR with other rapeseed cultivars (such as low erucic acid rape, LEAR, for food processing) is difficult due to high levels of gene flow mediated by pollen (cross pollination) and seeds (seed shedding during maturation and harvest, and a long period of secondary dormancy) [5,6]. In LEAR production, the risk of EA contamination from HEAR varieties is difficult to control and requires numerous adjustments, including appropriate crop rotations with a low share of Brassica crops, the establishment of buffer zones, and effective control of weeds, in particular of the family Brassicaceae [6]. The oil from C. abyssinica seeds (synonym: Abyssinian oil) is favored over HEAR oil due to a higher content of EA (50–60% vs. 45–50%)
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