The Effect of Autumn Foliar Fertilization on the Yield and Quality of Winter Oilseed Rape Seeds

Krzysztof Józef Jankowski,Mateusz Sokólski,Artur Szatkowski

doi:10.3390/agronomy9120849

Krzysztof Józef Jankowski, Mateusz Sokólski + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9120849

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of a 3-year field experiment conducted in north-eastern (NE) Poland to determine the influence of the autumn application of foliar macronutrient and micronutrient fertilizers (control, one application in BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and Chemische Industrie) stage 16 (six leaves unfolded)), two applications in BBCH stages 14 (four leaves unfolded), and 16 (six leaves unfolded) on the growth and development of winter oilseed rape plants, nutrient accumulation, overwintering success, yield components, yield, nutritional value (crude fat content, fatty acid concentrations), and feed value (total protein content, concentrations of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber, quantitative and qualitative composition of glucosinolates) of seeds. When applied in BBCH stages 14 and 16, foliar fertilizers stimulated the development of leaf rosettes, increased the accumulation of minerals in aerial rosette parts (N, K, and Mg) and roots (K, Cu, Mn, and Fe), and contributed to the overwintering success of winter oilseed rape plants (by 8–11%). The application of foliar macronutrient and micronutrient fertilizers in autumn increased seed yield (by 0.25 Mg ha−1), contributed to a significant increase in the crude fat content of seeds (by 1.3–7.4 g kg−1 dry matter (DM), increased the content of oleic acid, decreased the concentration of linoleic acid, and increased the content of glucosinolates, mostly the alkenyl fraction with antinutritional properties.

Highlights

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is the second most important oilseed crop grown in the world and the second-largest source of protein meal for animal rations [1]
The incorporation of rapeseed into crop rotations with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) delivers economic benefits and effectively breaks weed and pest cycles [2]. This is important in Europe where the average share of cereals in crop rotation systems is estimated at 77% [3]
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of autumn foliar fertilization on the growth and development of winter oilseed rape rosettes, nutrient accumulation, and the plants’ overwintering success

Summary

Introduction

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is the second most important oilseed crop grown in the world and the second-largest source of protein meal for animal rations [1]. The incorporation of rapeseed into crop rotations with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) delivers economic benefits and effectively breaks weed and pest cycles [2]. This is important in Europe where the average share of cereals in crop rotation systems is estimated at 77% [3]. Winter cultivars utilize environmental resources more effectively and better protect the soil against erosion and nutrient leaching in autumn and winter [6] Despite these advantages, the cultivation of winter oilseed rape in north-eastern Europe is problematic due to low overwintering success [7]

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