Optimizing the rate of phosphorus to enhance grain yield and quality in two Camelina sativa (L.) crantz accessions

Abstract

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz is an emerging oil seed crop and research information on its response to different levels of phosphorous (P) fertilizer is lacking. The two years study was performed to investigate the response of C. sativa to various rates of P fertilizer. The experiments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement having four replications. The P was applied in soil at the rate of 0, 30, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 to two C. sativa accessions namely Canadian and Australian. Soil applied phosphorus rates had significant effects on the growth, yield and quality of C. sativa and two accessions were varied to each other. Australian accession performed better in terms of quality traits and Canadian was superior in terms of seed yield. An increase in P rate improved growth, yield and quality and 60 kg P ha-1 resulted in maximal crop growth rate (6.79), seed yield (1239 kg ha-1), total P uptake (0.67%) and oil contents (39.8%). The regression model estimated that each increment in P rate increased the seed yield by 11.5 and 11.2 kg ha-1 in Canadian and Australian accessions, respectively. Conclusively, increases in P rates (0 to 60 kg ha-1) impart a positive impact on C. sativa accessions and 60 kg P ha-1 was most effective to achieve optimum yield and profitability.