Growth and Production of Crambe Submitted to Doses of Nitrogen and Potassium

Abstract

The dependence on non-renewable fuels of countries around the world increased the interest for the gradual replacement of fossil fuels with renewable ones. Thus, several development programs for the use of renewable sources for power generation have been created and, in this perspective, biofuels have been highlighted. Crambe is an alternative crop for the production of biodiesel due to its rusticity, precocity, high oil content and adaptability to different climates. Optimum management practices of fertilizer use in crambe cultivation are little known and there are no specific recommendations for its fertilization. Therefore, the objective of this research was to study the effects of mineral fertilizers concerning the nitrogen and potassium elements in the growth and production of crambe. The experiment was installed in a greenhouse, with a completely randomized design. Nitrogen doses used were 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg·ha -1 and 50, 75, 100 to 125 kg·ha -1 for potassium. The increase in production was directly proportional to the increase in nitrogen levels. The potassium doses did not cause significant effect on the growth of crambe.