Effect of Nitrogen Application on Camelina‎ (Camelina sativa)‎‏ ‏Oil Seed Yield and Yield Components at Different Planting Dates

Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] oilseed is a low-input crop that grows and yields well in semiarid regions with low-fertility or saline soils in comparison with other crops. Camelina seeds contain 30–40 percent oil. Camelina is an annual plant from the Brassicaceae family that has short and fast growth. Camelina is well adapted to cool temperate and semi-arid climates, it is more tolerant of drought and spring freezing than rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Also, Resistance to some diseases and pests of other members of Brassicaceae plants is another important features of this plant. Research-based information is lacking to provide basic agronomic recommendations for Camelina. In general, yield and yield components of Camelina seeds depends on nitrogen fertilization, planting time and climatic conditions. Camelina responds differently to fertilizer management and planting date in different climatic and soil conditions. Selection of crop managements such as planting date and fertilization can increase the quantitative and the qualitative yield of this plant.

In order to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on agronomic characteristics in Camelina under different planting dates, a study was conducted in split-plot based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the research field of Agricultural College, the Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, located in the southwest of Ahvaz and the western bank of the Karun River with 31°19׳ʹ N; 48° 41׳ʹ an altitude of 22 meters above sea level during 2018-19 growth season. Experimental factors included planting date in three times (November 6, December 6 and January 5) as the main plots and nitrogen fertilizer at four levels (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg.ha-1) as the subplots. The plant material (seed) of this research was Camelina sativa cultivar Soheil which was prepared from the Biston Shafa Knowledge Foundation Company. Half of the nitrogen fertilizer was spread with phosphorus and potassium in the surface of each experimental unit and mixed with soil before planting. The other half of nitrogen fertilizer used in three sections during three stages of plant phenology included True four leaves, beginning of stem elongation and beginning of silicle emergence.

Analysis of variance of traits showed a significant difference between nitrogen levels at each level of planting date in terms of all traits studied, including grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, plant height, percentage and oil yield, etc. Generally, based on the results of the analysis of variance, in all three planting dates. The highest grain yield (2653.8 kg.ha-1) was obtained from the first planting date and 46 kgN.ha-1 treatment and the highest harvest index in second planting date and 46 kg nitrogen treatment was measured. The highest oil yield (737.9 kg.ha-1) belonged to the first planting date and the level of 23 kgN.ha-1. However, the highest protein percentages (28.53) was obtained in the second planting date and 69 kg nitrogen treatment. Regarding to the other traits, it was observed that the optimal use of nitrogen fertilizer led to the improvement of the studied traits such as the number of sub-branches, silicle per plant, seed per silicle and 1000-grain weight, but delay in planting date caused the mean of these traits decreased significantly.

In general, the results of this study showed a significant response of Camelina to the amount of nitrogen used and planting date, so that in early planting (November 6) was obtained the highest grain yield, yield components, biological yield, oil yield and protein percentage. But in late planting, especially the third planting date, all the studied traits were reduced due to the collision of the plant reproductive stage with the high temperature at the end of Khuzestan growth season and the reduction of the plant growth cycle. Under three planting dates, nitrogen fertilizer application up to 46 kgN.ha-1 increased grain yield, oil yield and some yield components. Based on the results of this experiment, in order to obtain maximum grain and oil yield of Camelina, it is important to consider planting date and optimum nitrogen use.