The Effect of Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization in Combination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Seaweed on Agricultural Traits and Seed Yield of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) in Fields after Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Harvest

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• seyyed mohammad Akhgar
• Naser Mohammadian roshan
• Hamidreza Dorodian
• Majid Ashouri
• Seyyed mostafa Sadeghi

Department of Agronomy and Plant breeding, Lahijan branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan,Iran

10.22067/agry.2025.91118.1225

Abstract

Introduction
Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops globally, ranking third in oil production after soybean and oil palm. The seeds contain over 40% oil, with rapeseed oil being the only edible oil that includes sulfur-containing fatty acids. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutritional elements and a key factor in achieving optimal yield in rapeseed. The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is used as a plant growth promoter in agriculture. This bacterium helps increase nitrogen uptake and improve root growth in plants. This study aims to assess the combined effects of nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers and a growth regulator on rapeseed performance in a rice-paddy rotation system.
Materials and Methods
A split-factorial experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers, as well as a growth regulator (a blend of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and seaweed), on the yield and quality of rapeseed (Hyola 401 variety) in the second crop following rice cultivation in Gilan Province. The study was designed in a completely randomized block design with three replications over two crop years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023) at a farm located in Bazkiagurab, Lahijan City. The main experimental factors included: (1) the application (or non-application) of a growth regulator at a concentration of 5 mg.L^-1, and (2) nitrogen fertilization at four levels (0, 90, 180, and 270 kg.ha^-1) using urea (46% N) and sulfur fertilization at three levels (0, 35, and 70 kg.ha^-1) using ammonium sulfate (24% S, 12% N).
Results and Discussion
The results revealed that the highest seed yield (4081 kg.ha^-1) and oil yield (1135 kg.ha^-1) were obtained from the treatment involving the growth regulator, 270 kg.ha^-1 of nitrogen, and 70 kg.ha^-1 of sulfur. Conversely, the lowest seed yield (1085 kg.ha^-1) and oil yield (368 kg.ha^-1) were recorded when the growth regulator was applied without nitrogen, and with 70 kg.ha^-1 of sulfur fertilizer. The application of nitrogen fertilizer improved soil microbial activity, enhanced the availability of growth hormones and stimulants, and increased nutrient uptake, all of which contributed to higher photosynthesis and improved plant dry matter. These factors played a significant role in boosting seed yield
The treatment involving 270 kg of nitrogen and 70 kg of sulfur fertilizer resulted in the highest plant height (171.3 cm). In contrast, the lowest plant height (137.3 cm) was observed in the treatment that did not include a growth regulator, nitrogen fertilizer, and only 35 kg.ha^-1 of sulfur fertilizer. Additionally, the growth regulator and the nitrogen and sulfur fertilization treatments significantly affected the duration of flowering, vegetative growth, and seed filling (p ≤ 0.01). The longest durations for flowering (31 days), vegetative growth (207 days), and seed filling (82 days) were recorded in the treatment combining 270 kg.ha^-1 of nitrogen, 70 kg.ha^-1 of sulfur, and the growth regulator.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that plant height is strongly influenced by both the number of nodes and the length of internodes, with a significant relationship observed between plant height and the application of nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers. A positive and significant correlation was found between plant height and seed yield, highlighting the importance of plant height in determining seed production. The highest seed yield (4081 kg.ha^-1) was achieved when nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers were applied along with the growth regulator. Overall, the interactions between nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers were found to impact grain yield and its components significantly. Future research exploring these interactions, particularly in combination with microbial agents, could provide valuable insights for optimizing rapeseed cultivation and better addressing the nutritional needs of plants.







 




 
 

Keywords

• Bacteria
• Flowering period
• Growth regulator
• Oil percentage

Main Subjects

• Sustainable agriculture and food production systems

---

©2023 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source.

 

References

1. Ahmad, G., Jan, A., Arif, M., & Khattak, R.A. (2007). Influence of nitrogen and sulfur fertilization on quality of canola (Brassica napus) under rainfed conditions. Journal of Zhejiang University Science, 8, 731-737. https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2007.B0731
2. Ahmadi, M.R., & Javaidfar, F. (2000). Methods of Evaluation and Correction of Drought Resistance in Oil Species of Brassica (Translation). Publication of Agricultural Education, Karaj, Iran. 141 p. (in Persian).
3. Asare, E., & Scarisbrick, D.H. (1995). Rate of nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers on yield, yield components and seed quality of oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Field Crop Research, 44(1), 41-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4290(95)00051-7
4. Boem, F.H.G., Prystupa, P., & Ferraris, G. (2007). Seed number and yield determination in sulfur deficient soybean crops. Plant Nutrition, 30, 93-104. https://doi.org/1080/01904160601055095
5. Chen, L., & Dick, W.A. (2011). Gypsum as an Agricultural Amendment: General Use Guidelines. Ohio State University Extension. Bulletin 945. 36 p.
6. Das, J., Pathak, K., Das, S., Dey, J., & Debanth, A. (2020). Response of late sown rapeseed varieties for physiological traits under different levels of irrigation. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 10(2), 639-642. https://doi.org/22271/tpi.2021.v10.i2i.5750
7. Fanaei, H.R., Kakha, G., Davtalab, N., & Sarananie, F. (2014). Evaluation of seed yield and yield components of canola (Brassica napus) genotypes in response to delay planting. Agronomy Journal (Pajouhesh and Sazandegi), 108, 65-73. (in Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22092/aj.2015.106713
8. FAO. (2021). FAOSTAT. Available online: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL.
9. Fismes, J., Vong, G., Guckert, P.C., & Frossard, E. (2000). Influence of sulphur on apparent N-use efficiency, yield and quality of oilseed grown on calcareous soil. European Agronomy Journal. 12, 127-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1161-0301(99)00052-0
10. Ghaderi, J., Malkuti, M.J., Khavazi, K., & Davoudi, M.H. (2017). Investigating the effect of applying elemental sulfur on the yield and some quality characteristics of blue wheat. Physiology of Agricultural Plants, 9(33), 69-94. (in Persian with English abstract).
11. Habibi, M., Majidian, M., & Rabiei, M. (2014). The effect of zinc, zinc and sulfur elements on seed yield and fatty acid composition of rapeseed oil. To-Agricultural Agriculture, 16(1), 69-84. (in Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2014.51943
12. Hasanzadeh Ghorttapeh, A., & Javadi, H. (2015). Studying the effects of nitrogen fertilizer application and inoculation with biological fertilizers (Azospirillum and Azotobacter) on yield, yield components and oil of spring rapeseed in West Azerbaijan. Journal of Production and Processing of Agricultural and Horticultural Products, 5(18), 39-49. (in Persian with English abstract).
13. Hama, S.J. (2021). Effect of NPK levels on seed yield and oil contents of Rapeseed (Brassica napus) under Sulaimani Condition-Iraq Kurdistan Region. Tikrit Journal for Agricultural Sciences, 21(2), 99-111. https://doi.org/10.25130/tjas.21.2.11
14. Ibrahim, A.F., Abusteit, E., & Metwall, E.M. (1989). Response of rape seed growth, yield, oil content and its fatty acids to nitrogen rates and application times. Journal of Agronomy Crop Science Egypt,162: 107-112. (in Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/1111/j.1439-037X.1989.tb00695.x
15. Jamal, A., Moon, Y.S., & Abdin, M.Z. (2010). Sulphur: A general overview and interaction with nitrogen. Australian Journal of Crop Sciences, 4, 523-529.
16. Khan, A., Bakhsh, A., & Morteza, G. (2021). GA3 Effects on Potato Growth. Journal of Plant Physiology, 258, 50-58.
17. Klockgether, J., Munder, A., & Tümmler, B. (2011). Interspecies and interspecies diversity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 24 (2), 164-208.
18. Kumar, Vinod., Tyagi, Sh., Paul, S. C., Dubey1, S. K., Suman, Sh., 2018. Effect of sources and doses of sulphur on S uptake and yield of Mustard (Brassica juncea). Intenational Journal Microbiol Science, 7, 5042-5047.
19. Lee, C., Kim, J., & Park, S. (2021). Optimizing fertilizer use and growth regulators for enhancing rice yield and quality. Agronomy Journal, 113(4), 1882-1894.
20. Ljung, K. (2013). Auxin metabolism and homeostasis during plant development. Development, 140(5), 943-945. https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.086363
21. Majidian, M., Qalavand, A., Crimean, N.A., & Kamgar, A.A., (2008). Effects of nitrogen different amounts, manure and irrigation water on yield and yield components of corn. Electronic Journal of Crop Production, 1(2),67-85. (in Persian with English abstract).
22. Malhi, S.S., & Gill, K.S. (2006). Cultivar and fertilizer S rate interaction effects on canola yield, seed quality and S uptake. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 86, 91-98. https://doi.org/4141/P05-058
23. Moraditochaee, M., Motamed, M.K., Azarpour, A., & Khosravi Danesh, R. (2012). Effects of Plant Density on Sweet and Baby Corn (Hybrid KSC 403) Yield and Yield Components. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research. 7(2), 133-137. https://doi.org/22067/GSC.V14I1.34172
24. Mosavian, S.N., Eskandari, H. A., Mossadeghi, A.A., & Kazemi, K. (2022). The effect of the type of pre-sowing plant and different amounts of nitrogen fertilizer on the yield and quality of rapeseed oil. Production and Processing of Crops and Livestock, 12(4): 83-96. (in Persian with English abstract).
25. Mostafavirad, M., Nobahar, A., & Mahjub Khammami, A. (2018). Nutrition management in canola cultivation. Research and training center for agriculture and natural resources of Gilan province. Library registration number 54304. 24 p. (in Persian).
26. Motablipour, S., Ahmadi, M.R., & Jokar, L. (2000). Compatibility study and performance comparison of canola cultivars and lines in Zarghan (Persian). Journal of Agricultural Sciences of Iran, 2(3), 39-50. (in Persian with English abstract).
27. Ohara, N., Naito, Y., Kasama, K., Shindo, T., Yoshida, H., Nagata, T., & Okuyama, H. (2009). Similar changes in clinical and pathological parameters in Wistar Kyoto rats after a 13-week dietary intake of canola oil or fatty acid composition-based interesterified canola oil mimic. Food Chemistry and Toxicology, 47, 157-162. https://doi.org/1016/j.fct.2008.10.022
28. Ortas, I., Iqbal, T., & Yücel, Y.C. (2019). Mycorrhizae enhances horticultural plant yield and nutrient uptake under phosphorus deficient field soil condition. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 42, 1152-1164. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2019.1609500
29. Paseban Islam, B.M., Shakiba, R., Moghadam, M., & Ahmadi, M. R. (2001). The effects of water deficit stress on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of oil turnip. Scientific Research Journal of the University of Agriculture, Tabriz University, 10, 4. (in Persian with English abstract).
30. Pérez-López, E., Duran, J., & López-Romero, J.M. (2015). Seaweed extracts as bio stimulants in agriculture. Journal of Applied Phycology, 27(6), 2095-2106.
31. Pirasteh-Anosheh, & H., Emam, Y. (2019). The role of plant growth regulators in enhancing crop yield under saline conditions: from theory to practice. Journal of Agricultural Sciences of Iran, 21(3): 188-209. (in Persian with English abstract).
32. Rabiei, M., Kavoosi, M., & Tousi Kehal, P. (2011). Investigating the effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels and its distribution time on seed yield and some agricultural traits of canola (Hyola number 401) in autumn cultivation in Gilan. Agricultural Sciences and Techniques and Natural Resources, 15(58): 199-212. (in Persian with English abstract).
33. Rameeh, V. (2014). Comparison of yield and other dependent traits of seed yield in spring and hybrid canola cultivars. The 8th Congress of Agriculture and Plant Breeding. Gilan University, Iran. 46 p. (in Persian).
34. Safari, M.R., Faraji, A., Dadashi, M.R., & Armin, M. (2021). The effect of nitroxin application and irrigation levels on quantitative and qualitative traits of rapeseed cultivars. Plant Physiology, 13 (44), 43-57. (in Persian with English abstract).
35. Safikhani, S., Biabani, A., Faraji, A., Rahmi Karizki, A., & Qolizadeh, A.A. (2015). The response of some agricultural characteristics of rapeseed cultivars to nitrogen fertilizer and planting date. Ecophysiology of Agricultural Plants, 9(3): 429-446. (in Persian with English abstract).
36. Seyedi, M., & Hamzei, J. (2021). Evaluation of Rapeseed growth and yield under nitrogen fertilizer in rotation with Corn and Chickpea. Journal of Plant Production Research, 28(1): 81-91. https://doi.org/22069/JOPP.2020.17248.2590
37. Sieling, K., & Christen, O. (2015). Crop rotation effects on yield of oilseed rape, wheat and barley and residual effects on the subsequent wheat. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 61, 16531-16549. https://doi.org/1080/03650340.2015.1017569
38. Singh, M.V. (2001). Importance of sulphur in balanced fertilizer use in India. Fertilizer News, 46(10), 13-18, 31-35.
39. Singh, Y.P., Arora, S., Mishra, V.K., & Singh, A.K. (2022). Synergizing microbial enriched municipal solid waste compost and mineral gypsum for optimizing rice-wheat productivity in sodic soils. Sustainability, 14, 7809. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137809
40. Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Davis, M. (2020). Effects of growth regulators and nitrogen fertilizers on grain filling rate in corn. Journal of Agricultural Science, 158(3): 245-259.
41. Soleimanzadeh, H., Latifi, N., & Soltani, A. (2007). Relationship between phenology and physiological traits with seed yield in different rapeseed cultivars under rainfed conditions. Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. 14(5): 25-38.
42. Statistics of the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad. (2022). Ministry of Jihad and Agriculture, Planning and Economic Deputy, Information and Communication Technology Center, Iran. 89 p.
43. Surendra, S., & Singh, A. (1991). Direct and residual effect of pyrites on yield, sulphur content and quality characters of groundnut. Journal of Indian Society of Soil Science, 39(2), 328-331.
44. Taheri, A., & Soleimani. A. (2015). The effect of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer on light absorption in the canopy and growth indicators of rapeseed cultivars. Journal of Agricultural Research, 8(3), 235-258. (in Persian with English abstract).
45. Tedone, L., Ali, S.A., Verdini, L., & De Mastro, G. (2018). Nitrogen management strategy for optimizing agronomic and environmental performance of rainfed durum wheat under Mediterranean climate. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 2058-2074. https://doi.org/1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.215
46. Wang, L., Wang, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2024). Combined effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on chlorophyll and growth performance in oilseed crops. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 26(1), 112-124.
47. Yahyapoor, H., Niknezhad, Y., Fallah, H., Dastan, S., & Barati, D. (2023). Effect of soil amendments on yield components, yield and seed oil percentage of canola (Brassica napus). Journal of Plant Production, 13(1):15-29. (in Persian with English abstract).
48. Yaghoobi, S.R. (2020). Seaweed Extract: Innovation for Organic Agriculture. Journal of Technical and Vocational University, 17(2), 23-31. (in Persian).
49. Yaw, A.J., Richard, A., Osei, S., Kofi, H., Seth, O.D., & Adelaide, A. (2008). Chemical composition of groundnut, Arachis hypogaea (L) landraces. African Journal of Biotechnology, 7(13): 2203-2208.
50. Zhang, Y., Liu, H., & Wang, X. (2020). Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on grain yield and harvest index in rice. Field Crops Research, 244, 107-115.