Abstract:

In agricultural systems, low soil phosphorus availability is a primary constrain to the improvement of crop yield and quality. In order to investigate the effect of phosphorus on yield and mineral nutrient absorption and accumulation in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), a pot experiment using six cultivars was conducted in Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences during the rape growing season from October, 2001 to May, 2002. The soil used in this study was the Magan soil short of efficient phosphorus, from the South of Dabie Mountains in Hubei province. The results showed that the seedling dry weight and seed weight per plant were increased by 8.33–14.79 and 16.60–68.00 times, respectively in all the six cultivars with phosphorus application compared to those without phosphorus. The yield increasing rate was Zhongshuang 6>Zhongyou 821>Zhongyouza 2>Zhongyouza 1>Zhongshuang 4>Zhongshuang 7. Of them, Zhongshuang 7, Zhongshuang 4 and Zhongyouza 1 might be more tolerant to low soil phosphorus availability. The contents of phosphorus and potassium in aboveground parts at different stages and in seeds at maturity and the contents of molybdenum and magnesium in seeds at maturity were increased, and those of nitrogen, magnesium, sulfur and iron in aboveground parts and sulfur in seeds at maturity were decreased in the treatment of phosphorus application, whereas the contents of calcium and most micronutrients in seedlings and seeds were variegated in different cultivars. However, the accumulation of all the nutrient elements tested in the study was increased largely by phosphorus application.

Key words: Brassica napus, Phosphorus, Mineral nutrients, Absorption, Accumulation