Effect of rate and method of phosphorus application on the growth and development of 'Pasja' crops
Abstract
‘Pasja’ (Brassica campestris x napus) was grown at
Lincoln in 2008, with banded or broadcast phosphorus
(P) fertiliser applied at 0, 20, 40 or 60 kg/ha at
establishment on a Templeton silt loam soil of moderate
fertility (Olsen P of 9-17 mg/ kg range for individual
plots). Total dry matter (DM) production, leaf to stem
ratios and leaf area development were measured over
time and related to the biophysical environment. Final
DM yield increased with P rate from 3,730 kg DM/ha
for the control to ~5,000 kg DM/ha at 60 kg P/ha. The
leaf to stem ratio declined from between 22 and 31 at
17 days after emergence to 10.3 at the final harvest.
Leaf area index (LAI) for the control crops was lower
than for those that received P fertiliser, but there were
no differences among the P fertilised crops. Total
accumulated intercepted solar radiation (RIcum) was 8%
greater when P was applied compared with the control.
This difference was the main contributor to differences
in total dry matter yield and was independent of the
application method.
Keywords: Brassica
