Abstract
Many abiotic factors impact the yield and growth of Brassica carinata (commonly referred to as carinata or Ethiopian mustard). Very little is known about carinata and how mineral nutrients impact its growth, and more specifically, the sufficiency values for fertility over the plant’s growth cycle and life stages. This study explored the impacts that plant nutrients, specifically micronutrients, can have on the growth and development of carinata over its distinct life stages (rosette, bolting, flowering, and pod set). Plants were grown under varying micronutrient concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, 87.5, and 100%) of a modified Hoagland’s solution. Data were collected on plant height, canopy diameter, leaf tissue mineral nutrient concentrations, and biomass. The results demonstrated that micronutrient fertility has profound impacts on the production of Brassica carinata during different life stages. Boron (B) exclusion had the greatest impact on the growth and reproduction of Brassica carinata, with the death of the apical meristem that resulted in a lack of siliques or seeds at the lowest rate. Optimal relative elemental leaf tissue concentrations varied among micronutrient fertility concentrations and life stages. Certain elements exhibited linear increases in nutrient leaf tissue accumulation as solution concentration increased without reaching a maximum concentration during specific life stages. Other life stages and/or elements produced distinct plateau leaf tissue mineral concentrations despite increasing fertility treatment concentrations such as B in the rosette stage (47.2–50.0 mg·kg−1), copper (Cu) (bolting stage at 6.62–7.57 mg·kg−1), zinc (Zn) (bolting stage at 27.47–39.87 and flowering at 33.98–43.50 mg·kg−1), molybdenum (Mo) (flowering stage at 2.42–3.23 mg·kg−1), and manganese (Mn) (bolting stage at 117.03–161.63 mg·kg−1). This work demonstrates that Brassica carinata has different fertility demands and will accumulate differing leaf tissue concentrations during its life stages. This work serves as a baseline for further uptake and portioning work for Brassica carinata.
Highlights
Over the past few decades, concerns of global climate change have resulted in increased attention and policy directed toward reducing or mitigating CO2 emissions
Plants were grown in their respective micronutrient treatments until either visual nutrient deficiency symptoms were observed or the respective physiological stage was observed in over 50% of the control plants (100% modified Hoagland’s solution)
Different levels of micronutrients are required at different optimal concentrations over the life stages of B. carinata
Summary
Over the past few decades, concerns of global climate change have resulted in increased attention and policy directed toward reducing or mitigating CO2 emissions. Plant lipid-sourced biofuels already have an established precedent in the form of soybean- and corn-derived ethanol and biodiesels [5,6,7] Another important oil crop exists in the Brassicaceae family of oilseed crops. Abiotic stresses can have deleterious impacts on yield, plant growth, and oil quantity and quality, which may disrupt the continuous supply chain of a bio-derived fuel and other co-products. One such abiotic stress is that of plant nutrients and fertility. At each of the distinct life stages of the crop (rosette stage, bolting, and flowering), the above metrics were taken
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