Performance of different sources of sulphur on the yield and quality of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during the winter seasons of 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 in an Aeric Endoaquept (pH 6.67) to study the performance of different sources of sulphur (S) on the yield and quality of rapeseed cultivar B-9. There were three sources of S namely, single superphosphate (SSP), elemental S and S-52, which were applied for growing rapeseed. The 0.15% CaCl2 extractable-S content in the soil and total S content in the dry matter of rapeseed decreased up to 97 days of crop growth. The highest S content in the soil was recorded with the application of 30 kg S ha-1 as SSP throughout the crop growth which resulted in 151, 46.4, 59.8 and 48.8% increase over control, elemental S @ 30 kg ha-1, 1% S-52 and 2% S- 52, respectively. The highest seed and stover yield was 910 and 4380 kg ha-1, respectively in the treatment T3 (30 kg S ha-1 as SSP), resulting in a 41.9 and 18.9% increase in the yield over that of the control during both the years. The mean oil content, crude protein and soluble protein 40.1, 30.5 and 28.8% were highest, respectively, in the treatment T3. The highest benefit-cost ratio was 1.77 with the foliar application of 1% S-52.