REGULAR ARTICLE
Impact of water regime and phosphorus fertilization and their interaction on the characteristics of rapeseed (Brassica napus) and fatty acid profile of extracted oil
Hussein Abdelbasit Hussein Said-Al Ahl, Hani M. Mehanna, Mohamed Fawzy Ramadan
Commun. Biometry Crop Sci. (2016) 11 (1), 64-76.
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of phosphorus (P) fertilization rates and
water stress levels on the morphological characteristics, seed yield, seed oil content and fatty acid
profile of Brassica napus under the natural conditions of Agricultural Experimental Station (Nobaryia,
Beheira governorate, Egypt). Morphological characteristics, seed yield and seed oil content of rapeseed
were significantly lowered with the rise in water stress levels. Investigated traits increased significantly
with the increase in P dose. The best morphological traits, seed yield and seed oil yield were obtained from
plants irrigated with 1250 (m3 fed-1) combined with P (200 Kg fed-1) calcium super phosphate (15.5%, P2O5).
The highest oil recovery was obtained from plants irrigated with 1000 (m3 fed-1) combined with P (200 Kg fed-1).
Different treatments did not affect fatty acid profile in general. Monounsaturated fatty acids followed by
polyunsaturated fatty acids were the main fatty acids while saturated fatty acids were found in lower levels.
The predominant fatty acids were oleic acid followed by linoleic acid and linolenic acid.
Key Words: irrigation; vegetable oils; phosphorus; morphological traits; seed yield; rapeseed
(Brassica napus).
