CANOLA GROWTH AND PHOSPHORUS AMENDMENTS. I. YIELD AND QUALITY RESPONSE OF CANOLA TO DIFFERENT PHOSPHORUS AMENDMENTS

A little is known about the brassica species response to different phosphorus (P) amendments and its effects on accumulation of P, proteins, oil and fatty acids in canola (Brassica napus L.) seeds. The two years field study was conducted to evaluate the yield and quality of canola hybrids (Hyola-401 and Hyola-43) in response to different P management strategies. The two canola hybrids were tested under different P application rates (@ 30 kg ha^-1 or 60 kg ha^-1) applied through broadcasting and side-drilling, alone and in combination with farmyard manure (FYM). Phosphorus applications have significant positive linear (p 0.05%) effects on yield and yield components in the both canola hybrids. The maximum seed yield (2749±6.96 kg ha^-1; 2698±7.67 kg ha^-1), oil contents (43.73±0.18%; 42.20±0.20%), protein contents (26.23±0.12%; 26.37±0.12%) and P accumulated in grains (0.52±0.01%; 0.45±0.02%) were recorded in Hyola-43 when fertilized @ 60 kg P ha^-1 through side drilling along with FYM during 2004-05 and 2005-06, respectively. Hyola-43 appeared a good crop yielding canola hybrid as compared to Hyola-401. The high oleic and low linolenic acid provide good quality oil during frying process. Two folds increase was observed P accumulation in grain and this increase in endogenous grain P may have significant effects on next crop growth on soils having low inherent P. The study result suggests incorporating of FYM along with P fertilizer to overcome the issues of world inorganic P reserves utilization and for the sustainable higher quality canola production.