Nitrogen and phosphorus on crambe development after off-season corn cultivation

Abstract

Crambe, a winter crop, is used as forage in crop rotation and soil coverage, besides being a raw material source for biodiesel production. However, information on the crop nutritional requirements in Brazil is scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate nitrogen (0, 30, 60, 90 and120 kg ha^-1) and phosphorus (0, 50, 75, 100 e 125 kg ha^-1) fertilization effects on crambe development and N, P and K leaf contents in an Eutrophic Red Latosol after off-season corn cultivation, at an experimental field in the state of Paraná, Brazil. A randomized block design was used in the experiment, with three repetitions in a 5 x 5 factorial. Nitrogen and phosphorus application and N and P interaction increased the number of branches and grains. Plant dry matter and potassium leaf content were influenced by N application. Plant height was influenced by phos­phorus application and N and P interaction. Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus were not affected by nitrogen and phosphorus application in the soil.

Additional keywords: Crambe abyssinica H.; nitrogen fertilizer; oleaginous plant; phosphate fertilizer; production components.