Influence of plant density, nitrogen, water supply and pod or leaf removal on growth of oilseed rape

Abstract

Two species of oilseed rape ( Brassica campestris cv. ‘Torch’ and B. napus cv. ‘Tower’) were grown in a controlled environment room at two plant densities, three levels of nitrogen fertilization, and three levels of irrigation. Pods or lower leaves were removed at flowering. Growth of all plants parts was less at the high plant density although pod growth was least affected. Leaf growth was particularly responsive to nitrogen treatment while stem and pod growth were more responsive to irrigation level. The interaction of nitrogen fertilization and irrigation level confirms that a single limiting factor would prevent growth responses to other environmental factors. Defoliation led to slight reductions in pod, stem and root growth while pod removal led to increases in root, stem and leaf growth.