The response of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L. (partim)) to foliar application of silicon and calcium in the Zamość region

Abstract

Winter rapeseed yields are reduced by many stress factors, including drought. Innovative ways to reduce losses that are also safe for the natural environment are sought. In 2021/2022–2023/2024, a field experiment was conducted to examine the effect of foliar application of Si + Ca (SmartSil SC Power®) on biometric traits of plants before harvest, seed and fat yield, seed quality, and gross and net production value of winter rapeseed. Fertilizer at a dose of 2 dm3 ha-1 was applied twice: in the BBCH 32 and BBCH 50–51 phases, and the effects were compared with the control combination. The fertilizer used caused a significant increase (by 8.0%) in seed yield compared to the control variant and increase in fat yield by 7.0%. The component features of seed yield included a significant increase in the number of seeds per pod (by 18.8%), and the qualitative features included an increase in NDF content (by 2.0%). For both variants, a significant effect of seed yield and fat content on fat yield was found, which was determined to a greater extent by seed yield than by fat content. Under the influence of foliar application of Si + Ca, the gross production value increased by PLN 769 ha-1 (by 7.4%), and net production when used together with other treatments by PLN 605 ha-1, and when used separately by PLN 545 ha-1.