Optimizing Yield and Quality of Canola Cultivars Using Various Potash Levels

Abstract

The response of several canola cultivars to different potassium (K) levels was investigated in terms of various agronomic parameters including yields, oil and protein contents in a trial conducted at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan in Rabi 2010-11. Three cultivars including Bulbul-98, Abaseen-95 and Dure-NIFA, with five levels of potassium i.e. 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg &middot ha ^-1 were used in Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with four replications and factorial arrangement. A larger number of days to 50% flowering (116.6 days), plant height (203.8 cm), leaf area index (4.4), 1000 grain weight (3.5 g), biological yield (13189.3 kg &middot ha ^-1 ), grain yield (1799.2 kg &middot ha ^-1 ) and harvest index (13.9%) were obtained in K applied plots than the plots where K was not applied. The highest oil (45.1%) and protein (27.7%) was obtained in plots where K was applied at the rate of 120 and 90 kg &middot ha ^-1 , respectively. Among cultivars, Bulbul-98 and Abaseen-95 had higher seed yield and oil percentage. Bulbul-98 had more protein content than Abaseen-95 and Durre-NIFA. On average, cultivars gave higher and at par grain yield at 60, 90 and 120 kg &middot ha ^-1 . However, they produced higher and at par oil and protein percentage at 90 and 120 kg &middot ha ^-1 . Bul-bul-98 and Abaseen-95 are recommended for higher grain yield and oil content for general culti-vation in Peshawar valley. However, for higher protein content, Bulbul-98 is better. Potassium applied at 60 kg &middot ha ^-1 is recommended for higher grain yield, however, for higher oil and protein content, K at 90 kg &middot ha ^-1 is recommended.