Abstract
The response of several canola cultivars to different potassium (K) levels was investigated in terms of various agronomic parameters including yields, oil and protein contents in a trial conducted at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan in Rabi 2010-11. Three cultivars including Bulbul-98, Abaseen-95 and Dure-NIFA, with five levels of potassium i.e. 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg·ha-1 were used in Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with four replications and factorial arrangement. A larger number of days to 50% flowering (116.6 days), plant height (203.8 cm), leaf area index (4.4), 1000 grain weight (3.5 g), biological yield (13189.3 kg·ha-1), grain yield (1799.2 kg·ha-1) and harvest index (13.9%) were obtained in K applied plots than the plots where K was not applied. The highest oil (45.1%) and protein (27.7%) was obtained in plots where K was applied at the rate of 120 and 90 kg·ha-1, respectively. Among cultivars, Bulbul-98 and Abaseen-95 had higher seed yield and oil percentage. Bulbul-98 had more protein content than Abaseen-95 and Durre-NIFA. On average, cultivars gave higher and at par grain yield at 60, 90 and 120 kg·ha-1. However, they produced higher and at par oil and protein percentage at 90 and 120 kg·ha-1. Bul-bul-98 and Abaseen-95 are recommended for higher grain yield and oil content for general culti-vation in Peshawar valley. However, for higher protein content, Bulbul-98 is better. Potassium applied at 60 kg·ha-1 is recommended for higher grain yield, however, for higher oil and protein content, K at 90 kg·ha-1 is recommended.
Highlights
Rapeseed is a prominent affiliate of the family Cruciferae and genus Brassica [1]
Plants in plots where K was not applied, took minimum number of 115.1 days to 50% flowering. This value was statistically similar with plot where K was applied at 30 kg∙ha−1 which took 115.5 days
Non significant Cultivar x K interaction impact was observed on days to 50% flowering of canola cultivars
Summary
Rapeseed is a prominent affiliate of the family Cruciferae and genus Brassica [1]. In 15th century AD, its oil was used for various purposes such as lubrication of machinery [2] It has a good amount of edible oil but the erucic acid and glucosinolate present in its oil and seed cake, respectively, make it distasteful and toxic for human and animal’s health. Due to these substances, Brassica could not get vital place as an oilseed crop until the introduction of canola in 1976 [3]. Decrease in amount of these chemicals in Canada, synthesizes rapeseed the 3rd most important edible oil of the world, preceded by soybean and palm oil respectively [5]
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