Camelina seed yield response to nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus fertilizer in South Central Chile

Camelina (Camelina sativa L.), Brassicaceae, is a new oilseed crop with potential as a low cost feedstock for biodiesel for cool temperate climates. The objective of this study was to evaluate seed and oil yield response of camelina to nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur nutrition in South Central Chile. Two experiments were conducted in four environments in 2008 and 2009: Experiment 1 was conducted at El Carmen and Osorno as a RCBD with 4 replicates in a factorial arrangement of 4 rates of nitrogen (0, 75, 150, and 300 kg N ha−1), three rates of phosphorus (0, 50, 100 kg P2O5 ha−1) and two rates of sulfur (0 and 40 kg S ha−1). The experiment 2 was conducted at Los Angeles, and Gorbea as a RCBD, with 4 replicates, in a factorial arrangement of 4 rates of N (0, 75, 150, and 300 kg N ha−1) and two rates of S (0 and 40 kg S ha−1). Results for Exp. 1 indicated the N by environment interaction was significant for seed yield; also the interactions N by P and P by S were significant. Maximum seed yield (1840 kg ha−1) was obtained at Osorno with 150 kg N ha−1. Maximum predicted seed yield was obtained with 185 kg N ha−1 and 0 kg P2O5 ha−1 based on regression analysis when averaged across environments. The response in Exp. 2 was different than in Exp. 1. In Exp. 2 the N by environment interaction was significant for seed yield and number of seed silicle−1. Maximum seed yield (2390 kg ha−1) was obtained at Los Angeles with 300 kg N ha−1. The difference between these two experiments was that in Exp. 2 there was less plant lodging and seed shattering, this allowed camelina to express the maximum seed yield potential at the maximum N rate. Seed yield increase as N rates were increased was due mainly to a greater number of silicles plant−1. A negative correlation between seed oil content and N fertilizer was detected in Exp. 1, the highest oil content (440 g kg−1) was obtained with no N or P. Results indicate that camelina, usually regarded as a low-input crop, may respond to high N fertilization rates when grown in environmental conditions that maximize seed yield potential.

► Camelina usually regarded as a low-input crop responds to high N fertilization rates. ► Camelina seed yield was predicted to increase with N fertilization up to 185 kg N/ha. ► Seed yield increase was due to an increased no. of silicles per plant and no. of seeds per silicle. ► Camelina seed yield did not respond to phosphorus and sulfur fertilization.