Brassica carinata biomass, yield, and seed chemical composition response to nitrogen rates and timing on southern Coastal Plain soils in the United States

Abstract

Brassica carinata (carinata), a non-food oilseed feedstock mainly used for biofuel, is a relatively new alternative winter crop in the southeastern (SE) United States (US). However, there are limited N rate and N application timing data available at the regional scale. These data are needed to expand production in the SE US. An N rate study was conducted during the winter–spring growing seasons during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 in Florida, US, and at three locations during 2018–2019 in Georgia, US, to quantify the effects of N rate (0, 45, 90, 134, and 179 kg N ha−1) on carinata nutrient uptake, biomass, seed yield, and seed chemical composition. Seed yield showed a linear response up to 134 kg N ha−1. Seed protein and glucosinolate concentrations decreased from 0 to 90 kg N ha−1, then increased from 90 to 179 kg N ha−1. Seed oil concentration was inversely related to seed protein concentration. A two-factor N application timing study (4 N application timing: at-plant, pre-bolting, at-plant + pre-bolting, at-plant + pre-bolting + bolting × 4 N rates: 0, 45, 90, and 134 kg N ha−1) was conducted in Georgia, US, over three site-years to quantify the effect of N application timing on yield and agronomic and economic optimum N rates (AONR and EONR, respectively). All split applications increased AONR by at least 10 kg N ha−1 compared to a single at-plant application. A two-split N application was more profitable than either a single N application or a three-split N application based on marginal return. A two-way split application (at-plant + pre-bolting) at 134 kg N ha−1 is recommended to optimize yield and economical production. Based on uncertainty analyses, the 50% credible interval of EONR occurred between 116 and 152 kg N ha−1, with a median estimate at 130 kg N ha−1.