GROWTH ANALYSIS OF BRASSICA NAPUS CV. TOWER

Abstract

Growth analysis of field-grown rape (Brassica napus L.) was carried out during 1975 and 1976 at Saskatoon. Plant morphology was altered by the use of four planting densities under three water regimes. High seeding rates and non-irrigated conditions caused a greater proportion of dry matter production to occur before flowering than after flowering, while the reverse occurred at low seeding rates and under irrigated conditions. Leaf area index reached a maximum near the start of flowering, and then declined rapidly. Pod surface area was increased by irrigation and was higher at the high seeding rates than at the low seeding rates. Maximum leaf area index was correlated with seed yield. Correlations between pod area and seed yield were poor, particularly in 1976. The growth functions mean net assimilation rate [Formula: see text] and mean crop growth rate [Formula: see text] were influenced by both seeding rates and irrigation. There was an increase in [Formula: see text] during the ripening phase, suggesting increased photosynthetic efficiency. No evidence of a distinct optimum leaf area index was found.