Assessment of the phosphorus status of oilseed rape by plant analysis

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) concentrations in young plants of rapeseed (Brassica napus cv. Wesway) were related to seed and oil yields to develop a tissue test for the diagnosis of P deficiency. Critical P concentrations were defined as those concentrations required to sustain 90% of maximum yield.

In 2 field experiments in successive seasons on a P-deficient soil, rates of triple superphosphate from 2.5 to 120 kg/ha were banded with the seed. The lowest P concentration in young shoots (17-19 weeks from sowing) associated with a P supply that was adequate for plant growth was approximately 0.31%. The youngest fully-expanded leaf was a reliable plant part to sample, its P concentration being about 0.05% lower than the concentration of the whole shoot.

Critical P concentrations in young plants for sustaining 90% of maximum seed and oil yields were higher, namely 0.33 and 0.28% for whole shoots and youngest fully-expanded leaves respectively. The critical P concentration in seeds was about 0.35%.