Abstract

Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crtz., false flax) is described as a species requiring fewer inputs than other oilseed crops thus making it an interesting alternative in sustainable cropping systems. As information on the combined effects of nitrogen and sulphur on camelina yield and quality parameters is meagre, a pot fertilization experiment was carried out with nitrogen applied as NH(4)NO(3) at three increasing rates equivalent to a range from 63 up to 127 kg ha(-1). These treatments were combined with sulphur additions applied as (NH(4))(2)SO(4) to achieve a soil sulphate content of 25 or 45 mg kg(-1), respectively (equivalent to 75 and 135 kg S ha(-1)). The medium and high nitrogen rates combined with the low sulphur fertilization level increased the number of branches per plant compared with the lowest nitrogen fertilization at the same sulphur rate. Camelina seed yield increased with increasing nitrogen doses at the same low sulphur level, whereas straw yield increased only at the highest rate of nitrogen. Thousand-seed mass increased at the highest nitrogen dose and with the low sulphur application rate. In addition, the increase in nitrogen fertilization reduced seed oil content from 39.8% to 37.1%. A highly negative correlation was observed between oil and protein content of seeds. Nitrogen fertilization increased total oil yield and total protein yield. Differences in crop parameters between the sulphur treatments were not significant statistically, although the higher sulphur treatment tended to increase seed yield as well as oil and protein content compared with the low sulphur treatment. Thus, the combined application of N and S as mineral fertilizers is only recommended when growing camelina on sulphur-deficient soils if the aim is to achieve both high oil and protein production.

Keywords

Oil content; protein content; seed; straw; TSM; yield

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B - Soil and Plant Science
2011, Volume: 61, number: 4, pages: 313-321
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS

SLU Authors

• Strålenhielm, Anna

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Food Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09064710.2010.490234

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/46596