Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels and Their Application Time on Yield and Some Agronomic Traits of Rapeseed (cv. Hyola 401) in Winter Cultivation in Guilan

To determine the proper nitrogen fertilizer rates and its application times for achieving high grain and oil yields of rapeseed cultivar, Hyola 401, a research was carried out in paddy fields of Rice Research Institute of Iran in Rasht during two cropping seasons. A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications. The experimental factors were pure nitrogen fertilizer rate at five levels of 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 Kg ha-1 and fertilizer application times at five levels of all fertilizer at planting; 1/3 at planting + 2/3 in stem elongation; 1/3 at planting + 1/3 in stem elongation + 1/3 before flowering; 1/3 in 3-4 leaf stages + 1/3 in stem elongation +1/3 before flowering; 1/4 at planting + 1/4 in 3-4 leaf stages + 1/4 in stem elongation + 1/4 before flowering. The results of statistical analyses showed that from amony nitrogen rates, application of 240 Kg N ha-1 and 180 Kg N ha-1 with average production of 2505 Kg ha-1 and 2596 Kg ha-1 respectively showed the highest grain yield and were in the same group. of Nitrogen application times, application of 1/3 at planting + 1/3 in stem elongation + 1/3 before flowering had the highest grain and oil yields with average of 2155.3 Kg ha-1 and 9865 Kg ha-1, respectively. Maximum oil percentage was observed in control treatment (without N-fertilizer application) and the highest oil yield was obtained for nitrogen rates of 180 and 240 Kg ha-1. Also, the highest growth period was observed for the treatment of 240 Kg nitrogen with 206.3 days. The results showed that nonsignificant difference exists between the nitrogen rates of 180 and 240 Kg ha-1 in grain and oil yields. Therefore, the rate of 180 Kg ha-1 is recomended due to less fertilizer consumption and prevention of destructive effect on the environment.