Nitrogen Fertilizer Effects on Yield, Oil, Protein Content, Pollinators of Winter Canola
Abstract
Winter canola is an oilseed crop that can produce edible oil, animal feed byproducts and biofuel. Excessive nitrogen could lead to high input costs, excessive vegetative growth and decreases in crop yield. The populations of pollinators is decreasing worldwide. There is very little information on optimum nitrogen rates for winter canola production in Tennessee and about pollinators that frequent winter canola during flowering. The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine the effect of N application rates on pollinator type, canola yield, and oil and protein content of specific winter canola varieties and 2) to determine if chemical attractants for pollinators are released by winter canola flowers and if they are affected by variety or N application rate. For the first objective, study was conducted in Springfield, TN during 2020–2021 with three cultivars and five N application rates. Yield, oil and protein content of different cultivars were determined. Pollinator diversity was recorded by installing yellow sticky traps in the field. For the second objective, the study was conducted in Ashland City, TN during 2018-2019 and three varieties were planted under different N rates. Flowers were analyzed using an electronic nose to detect volatile compounds. Seed yield was significantly higher at 112, 168 and 224 kg N ha–1 and Phoenix CL and Hekip had higher yields. Seed oil was highest at 0 kg N ha–1 and Phoenix CL and Plurax CL had higher seed oil content. Seed protein content was highest at 224 kg N ha–1 and Hekip and Plurax CL had higher protein content. Pollinator abundance was highest on the first date of insect collection (April 08th) and at 0 kg N ha−1 but was statistically similar to 168 kg N ha–1. The captured insect of greatest abundance was the mining bee (Andrena spp.). Volatiles produced by winter canola flowers may serve as pollinator attractants, such as 2-methylpropanal, 1-hexanol, 2,3-pentanedione, and ethyl 3-(methylthiopropanoate). N rates at 0 and 56 kg N ha–1in Hekip, 0 to 112 kg N ha–1 in Phoenix CL, and 168 and 224 kg N ha–1 in Inspiration may provide advantages for attracting pollinators
Subject Area
Agriculture
Recommended Citation
Taqdeer Gill,
"Nitrogen Fertilizer Effects on Yield, Oil, Protein Content, Pollinators of Winter Canola"
(2022).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI29061760.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI29061760