Nitrogen and Sulfur Effects on Macro- and Micronutrient Contents in Canola (Brassica napus L.) Grown on Acidic Soils of the Western Cape Province of South Africa

Abstract

Soil pH and nutrient contents influence the uptake and utilization of nutrients required for plant growth. Soil characteristics in the canola-growing areas of the Western Cape Province of South Africa are often very variable. Hence, the major aim of this research was to determine the effects of soil and climatic differences as experienced at different localities on macro- and micronutrient contents and uptake in canola plants fertilized with different nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) application rates. Plants fertilized with 0, 15, and 30 kg S ha−1 in combination with N rates of 0 and 90 kg ha−1 were sampled at 90 days after planting (DAP) (flowering stage) at Altona, Elsenburg, Langgewens, Roodebloem, and Welgevallen localities in the Western Cape during 2009 2010, and 2011. Nutrient content in canola plants were affected by locality and interactions between locality and N application rates. Sulfur content within the plants remained less than the sufficient quantity of 0.5%, and a dilution effect on elemental concentration in canola especially at greater N rates (plus lack of sufficient S) is apparently evident from the results. The results also reveal that canola S application should match S adsorption capacity of the low pH soils of the Western Cape.