EFFECT OF VARIOUS TYPES OF BACTERIAL INOCULATION ALONG WITH A STARTER DOSE OF N ON GROWTH, YIELD AND YIELD COMPONETS OF CANOLA

Abstract

Canola is a newly introduced oil crop into the Egyptian agriculture, it is absolutely necessary to conduct research work in order to maximize its both productivity and reduce costs. During both seasons (2003/04 and 2004/05) a field experiment was carried out in the Experimental farm of the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) at Giza to evaluate the response of three canola varieties namely Sero4, Pactol and AD204 to inoculation with four types of bacteria (Rhizobia, diazotrophs, Bacillus and a mixture of them). Nitrogen was applied at 15 as starter dose and 50 kg N fed-1 without inocl. (recommended) in two equal spilt doses applied at 21 and 35 days after planting. Results of 140 day old plants indicate that inoculation in general, had a positive effect on seed quality (% germination, shoot and radical length, seedling weight and electrical conductivity). Yield and yield components of inoculated canola plants receiving 15 kg N fed-1 were higher as compared to uninoculated canola plants with full N-fertilizer dose (50 kg N fed-1). Inoculated plants produced seeds with higher oil content.