干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

The oil seed production in Pakistan is not sufficient to fulfill the needs of the country. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the nutrient management practices of oil seed crops to improve their seed yield. This two year field study was conducted at Research Farm of the Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during Rabi season of 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 to optimize the timing of phosphorous (P) and boron (B) application to improve the productivity and economic returns of canola under an arid climate. The experiment consisted of following treatments viz. 1) no application of P and B, 2) 60 kg P and 3 kg B ha(-1) at sowing, 3) half P at sowing and half at 1st irrigation in splits + full B at sowing, 4) P in splits + full B at 1st irrigation, 5) Full P at sowing + half B at sowing and half at 1st irrigation in splits, and 6) P and B in splits. During both years, the highest crop growth rate, leaf area index, plant height (162 cm), 1000 seed weight (4.4 g), seed yield (1868 kg ha(-1)), oil contents (39.2%), net returns (Rs. 42720 ha(-1)) and benefit cost ratio (2.34) was recorded when full dose of P was applied at sowing combined with B application in splits. Hence, application of 60 kg ha(-1) of P at sowing combined with application of 3 kg B (at sowing and 1st irrigation in two splits) proved beneficial for improving the growth, yield, quality and economics of canola under an arid climate. (C) 2018 Friends Science Publishers