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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366598
Research Project: Enhancing Production and Ecosystem Services of Horticultural and Agricultural Systems in the Southeastern United States

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Influence of nitrogen rate on winter canola production in the Southeastern US

Author
item LIN, YARU - Auburn University
item Watts, Dexter
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item HOWE, JULIE - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2020
Publication Date: 7/3/2020
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/7071208
Citation: Lin, Y., Watts, D.B., Torbert III, H.A., Howe, J.A. 2020. Influence of nitrogen rate on winter canola production in the Southeastern US. Agronomy Journal. 112: 2978–2987. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20197.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20197

Interpretive Summary: Interest in growing canola as a winter crop in the southeastern US has been increasing in recent years. Currently, information about its nitrogen management when grown in this region is limited. Thus, a study was conducted to determine the optimal inorganic N rate need for canola production on Coastal Plain soils. As expected, plant growth and yield were depended on N management. Data from this study suggest that optimal N rate was 197 to 232 kg N ha-1 for Coastal Plain soils.

Technical Abstract: Canola (Brassica napins (L.)) has the potential for being used in a double-cropping system as a winter crop in the southeastern US, but little information is known about its nitrogen management when grown in this region. Thus, a field study was conducted at two locations (Shorter, AL - Compass loamy sand; and Prattville, AL - Lucedale fine sandy loam) to determine the effect of different rates of N fertilizer on plant growth, seed yield, and N uptake of canola. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. The N rates included were 0, 68, 135, 180, 202, and 270 kg N ha-1. The linear-plateau regression was used to evaluate the response of plant growth, seed yield, and N uptake to N rate. Overall, canola growth, yield, and N uptake were highly dependent on N fertility. Applying 180 kg N ha-1 and more for canola production significantly increased plant height, plant biomass accumulation, seed yield, and N uptake compared to the unfertilized control at both locations. The linear-plateau regression model indicated that the optimal N rate was 197 to 232 kg N ha-1 for these southeastern US soils. This study suggests that winter canola production in humid subtropical region can be successful and provide seed yields comparable to yields from major winter canola production areas.