Response of oilseed rape leaves to sulfur and boron foliar application

Katarzyna Pużyńska,Andrzej Lepiarczyk,Stanisław Pużyński,Bogdan Kulig,Wiktor Halecki

doi:10.1007/s11738-018-2748-y

Katarzyna Pużyńska, Andrzej Lepiarczyk + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-018-2748-y

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Abstract

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) reacts differently to foliar application of sulfur (S) and boron (B), and for that reason it is important to find an early indicator that would inform about the direction of this reaction. This study aimed at evaluating the early response of two double-low cultivars of winter oilseed rape: hybrid (Nelson) and open pollinated (Digger) on the foliar fertilization with S and B in two terms: fall and spring, based on the rate of leaf greenness index (SPAD) and seven indicators of chlorophyll a fluorescence (FL). On 7th or 9th day after the application of liquid fertilizers, the selected parameters of FL and SPAD were determined on the leaves of rape. As a result, a significant effect of foliar B and S supplementation on the yield of oilseed rape was found. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed for a separation for each of the cultivars the two parameters of FL, namely Tfm and Fv/F0, which are sensitive indicators of a physiological state of the rape plants shortly after foliar S and B dressing.

Highlights

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is one of the major oilseed crops worldwide (Shahzadi et al 2015)
In the other seasons the yield increase following the foliar S application, it was in a range of 2.5–3.8% (Table 3)
A simultaneous foliar application of S and B always resulted in the desired yield-forming effect

Summary

Introduction

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is one of the major oilseed crops worldwide (Shahzadi et al 2015). According to a vast literature, oilseed rape has a high demand for sulfur (S) and boron (B) fertilization (Asad et al 2002; Ahmad et al 2012; Sienkiewicz-Cholewa and Kieloch 2015). This is because B and S are necessary for a synthesis of both glucosinolates and sulfur amino acids (Zhao et al 1993). Many authors showed a very good reaction of oilseed rape to the application of both nutrients, but the method of B and S fertilization gives contrary results.

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