The effect of foliar application of zinc element and transplanting time on agronomic and physiological characteristics of two rapeseed cultivars

In order to investigate the effect of Zinc (Zn) foliar application and transplanting stages in two spring rapeseed cultivars, this experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at research field of Seed and Plant Improvement Research Institute (SPII) in 2016-2017. There were 10 treatments including (seed planting of Hyola 420 hybrid and Delgan cultivar on 5 March, transplanting of Hyola 420 hybrid and Delgan cultivar in 2 and 4 leaf stage with and without foliar application of Zn). The results showed that the highest and lowest mean seed yields were belonged to Hyola 420 transplanting treatments at 2 leaf stage with Zn foliar appliction and seed planting of Hyola 420 hybrid as 2628 and 1046 kg ha-1, respectively. Transplanting of Hyola 420 at 2 and 4 leaves with Zn foliar application increased by 51% and 86% seed yield compared to seed planting method. In addition, transplanting of the Dalgan cultivar at 2 and 4 leaves stage was significantly increased by 93% and 35% seed yield compared to seed planting method. Generally, in transplanting cultivation and especially in zinc spraying treatment, irrigation frequency was reduced one to two times compared to seed planting method. In transplanting cultivation and especially in zinc spraying treatment, harvest index was higher compared to seed planting method due to increased SPAD value and leaf area index (LAI), better absorption of light radiation, higher number of silique and number of seeds per siliques and seed yield.