Yield response in crambe to potassium fertilizer

Crambe (Crambe abssynica Hoechst) is a winter crop, with high oil content and used as a feedstock for biodiesel production. This study was conducted in 2010 and 2011 at Umuarama County, State Parana, aiming to determine the effects of doses of potassium (0, 15, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha−1) on grain yield, oil yield, oil content and plant population. This study used four replications of randomized blocks. The increase of K2O levels resulted in higher grain and oil yield per hectare in the first year, but seed oil content and plant population were not influenced.

► It has the potassium fertilization can effect on yield and oil content per hectare of crambe crop. ► Was quantified the percentage of oil reference each treatment. ► It was found a relationship between higher potassium rates and a higher oil production. ► Fertilization with potassium, just contributes positively to the plant development and higher yield when the potassium rates in the soil is not high.