Difference in dry matter accumulation with variable rates of sulphur and potassium application under calcareous soils in Brassica napus vs. B. juncea

Abstract

Improper sulphur (S) and potassium (K) fertilizer management decrease dry mater (DM) accumulation and
yield in Brassica under calcareous soils. A field experiment was conducted at The University of Agriculture,
Peshawar, Pakistan. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of S and K fertilization on
DM accumulation of Brassica species under calcareous soil at the study area. The experiment was
conducted in a randomized complete block design using three replications. Each replication consisted of 20
treatments having two Brassica species [rape (B. napus) and Indian mustard (B. juncea)], three rates of S
(15, 30, and 45 kg ha-1), three rates of K (30, 60, and 90 kg ha-1) and one control (no S and K applied). The
DM accumulation at various growth stages increased with K and S fertilization as compared to the zero-S/
zero-K control plots. Both species responded positively to K and S fertilization, but the magnitude of response
varied with levels of S and K. It was concluded that a combination of 60 kg K + 30 kg S ha-1 could improve
DM accumulation and yield in Brassica species.