Pseudomonas fluorescens and Sulfur Application Affect Rapeseed Growth and Nutrient Uptake in Calcareous Soil

ABSTRACT: This experiment was conducted in 2010-2011 at the Agricultural Experiment Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Damghan branch, to evaluate the effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens and sulfur application on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of two rapeseed cultivars. The experiment was conducted in factorial in the form of a completely randomized design with four replications and three factors: Pseudomonas fluorescens (with and without inoculation), sulfur (0 and 1000 kg/ha) and rapeseed cultivars (Brassica napus cv. Hayola 308 and Hayola 401). Results indicated that although few traits were significantly affected by cultivar and sulfur; however, the bacterial inoculation significantly affected nearly all the measured traits. Pseudomonas inoculation increased root weight by about 35% and oil content by about 62%. Moreover, all the measured traits except for harvest index, root weight and root length were the highest in three-fold interactions in Hayola 401 × Pseudomonas inoculation × 1000 kg/ha sulfur.