The Impacts of Micronutrient Fertility on the Mineral Uptake and Growth of Brassica carinata

Paul Cockson, Patrick Veazie, Matthew Davis, Gabby Barajas, Angela Post, Carl R. Crozier, Ramon G. Leon, Robert Patterson and Brian E. Whipker
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Paul Cockson: Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Patrick Veazie: Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Matthew Davis: Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Gabby Barajas: Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Angela Post: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Carl R. Crozier: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Ramon G. Leon: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Robert Patterson: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Brian E. Whipker: Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 3, 1-21

Abstract: Many abiotic factors impact the yield and growth of Brassica carinata (commonly referred to as carinata or Ethiopian mustard). Very little is known about carinata and how mineral nutrients impact its growth, and more specifically, the sufficiency values for fertility over the plant’s growth cycle and life stages. This study explored the impacts that plant nutrients, specifically micronutrients, can have on the growth and development of carinata over its distinct life stages (rosette, bolting, flowering, and pod set). Plants were grown under varying micronutrient concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, 87.5, and 100%) of a modified Hoagland’s solution. Data were collected on plant height, canopy diameter, leaf tissue mineral nutrient concentrations, and biomass. The results demonstrated that micronutrient fertility has profound impacts on the production of Brassica carinata during different life stages. Boron (B) exclusion had the greatest impact on the growth and reproduction of Brassica carinata , with the death of the apical meristem that resulted in a lack of siliques or seeds at the lowest rate. Optimal relative elemental leaf tissue concentrations varied among micronutrient fertility concentrations and life stages. Certain elements exhibited linear increases in nutrient leaf tissue accumulation as solution concentration increased without reaching a maximum concentration during specific life stages. Other life stages and/or elements produced distinct plateau leaf tissue mineral concentrations despite increasing fertility treatment concentrations such as B in the rosette stage (47.2–50.0 mg·kg −1 ), copper (Cu) (bolting stage at 6.62–7.57 mg·kg −1 ), zinc (Zn) (bolting stage at 27.47–39.87 and flowering at 33.98–43.50 mg·kg −1 ), molybdenum (Mo) (flowering stage at 2.42–3.23 mg·kg −1 ), and manganese (Mn) (bolting stage at 117.03–161.63 mg·kg −1 ). This work demonstrates that Brassica carinata has different fertility demands and will accumulate differing leaf tissue concentrations during its life stages. This work serves as a baseline for further uptake and portioning work for Brassica carinata .

Keywords: oilseed; Ethiopian mustard; fertility; life cycle; nutrients; rates; symptomology; foliar; aviation; biofuel; biodiesel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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