Effect of base saturation and nitrogen dose on cultivation of crambe

Abstract

The grain production potential of crambe reported in literature may vary from 1000 to 1500 kg ha -1 , but there are not yet any recommendations regarding specific nitrogen (N) fertilization for this crop. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of base saturation and the addition of N doses on plant development and productivity of crambe. This study was developed at the São Tomaz Jatobá farm in the municipality of Rio Verde, GO in a Distroferric Red Latosol. The experiment consisted of a factorial (4×3) design with four repetitions totaling 48 plots distributed in random blocks. Four levels of base saturation (V%) were evaluated as follows: 34 (natural soil), 40, 50 and 60. Moreover, the following three N doses were evaluated: Control (without application de N), 40 kg ha -1 N and 80 kg ha -1 N. The experimental plots were rectangular and measured 9 m 2 with five planted lines and a spacing of 0.45 m between rows. Planting was performed on March 8 th , 2011 using the FMS Brilhante cultivar. The following variables were evaluated: Root dry mass and shoot dry mass in three distinct periods (35, 45 and 55 days after emergence); grain yield; and oil content. The addition of the N doses increased the root dry masses, shoot dry masses and yield, but N addition did not influence oil content. In general, the best N dose was 40 kg ha -1 . Base saturation linearly or quadratically influenced all parameters evaluated, and the best base saturation observed in this study was 50%.