Camelina seed yield response to nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus fertilizer in South Central Chile

Camelina (Camelina sativa L.), Brassicaceae, is a new oilseed crop with potential as a low cost feedstock for biodiesel for cool temperate climates. The objective of this study was to evaluate seed and oil yield response of camelina to nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur nutrition in South Central Chile. Two experiments were conducted in four environments in 2008 and 2009: Experiment 1 was conducted at El Carmen and Osorno as a RCBD with 4 replicates in a factorial arrangement of 4 rates of nitrogen (0, 75, 150, and 300kgNha−1), three rates of phosphorus (0, 50, 100kg P2O5ha−1) and two rates of sulfur (0 and 40kgSha−1). The experiment 2 was conducted at Los Angeles, and Gorbea as a RCBD, with 4 replicates, in a factorial arrangement of 4 rates of N (0, 75, 150, and 300kgNha−1) and two rates of S (0 and 40kgSha−1). Results for Exp. 1 indicated the N by environment interaction was significant for seed yield; also the interactions N by P and P by S were significant. Maximum seed yield (1840kgha−1) was obtained at Osorno with 150kgNha−1. Maximum predicted seed yield was obtained with 185kgNha−1 and 0kg P2O5ha−1 based on regression analysis when averaged across environments. The response in Exp. 2 was different than in Exp. 1. In Exp. 2 the N by environment interaction was significant for seed yield and number of seedsilicle−1. Maximum seed yield (2390kgha−1) was obtained at Los Angeles with 300kgNha−1. The difference between these two experiments was that in Exp. 2 there was less plant lodging and seed shattering, this allowed camelina to express the maximum seed yield potential at the maximum N rate. Seed yield increase as N rates were increased was due mainly to a greater number of siliclesplant−1. A negative correlation between seed oil content and N fertilizer was detected in Exp. 1, the highest oil content (440gkg−1) was obtained with no N or P. Results indicate that camelina, usually regarded as a low-input crop, may respond to high N fertilization rates when grown in environmental conditions that maximize seed yield potential.