Optimization of Spring Rapeseed Nutrition

Response of spring rapeseed to S-containing fertilizer is studied in on-farm field experiments.

IPNI-2015-RUS-5

02 Jun 2018

2017 Annual Interpretive Summary


All components of 4R Nutrient Management are considered in this project. Field studies in the Republic of Bashkortostan in 2017 were conducted at Kalinin Agricultural Enterprise, LLC (Sterlitamak District). The soils here are leached Chernozems (Voronic Chernozems Pachic) with a high organic matter content (7.2%) and a medium concentration (9 ppm) of available sulfur (S), routinely extracted with 1M potassium chloride (KCl) solution. Four fertilizer treatments containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and S were studied in 2017: 1) Grower Practice of 89-20-14 kg N-P-S/ha, including ammonium nitrate (AN) prior to planting and 20-20-14 kg N-P-S/ha at planting; 2) 89-33-16 kg N-P-K/ha, including AN and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) prior to planting, and 16-16-16 kg N-P-K/ha at planting; 3) 84-33-16-4 kg N-P-K-S/ha, including AN and MAP prior to planting, and 13-19-19-5 kg N-P-K-S/ha at planting; 4) Recommended Practice of 88-36-16-18 kg N-P-K-S/ha, including AN and 20-20-14 kg N-P-S/ha prior to planting, and 13-19-19-5 kg N-P-K-S/ha at planting.

The 2017 season was characterized by near-optimal weather conditions. Grower fertilizer practice resulted in 2.7 t seed/ha (moisture content = 12%). At the same time, the recommended practice based on soil fertility and attainable yield level gained a yield improvement to 3.1 t/ha or 12%. The additional profit due to 4R nutrient management was equal to US$74/ha. Moreover, oil concentration in seeds increased from 31 to 38%, respectively. Compared to a zero-S treatment, S fertilizer application at rates of 4 and 18 kg S/ha increased yield by 5 and 13%, respectively.