The Response of Canola (Brassica napus L.) Cultivars to Different Soil K/Mg Ratios in Greenhouse Conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition, Soil and Water Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

2 Department of Soil Science and Engineering, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

3 Department of Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

To investigate the effects of different levels of available potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg), and their interactions, on the growth characteristics of canola cultivars, a factorial experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications in a pot culture. The first factor consisted of five combinations of the K to Mg ratio (existing conditions, 80%, 90%, 110%, and 120% of the existing condition) by adding potassium or magnesium sulfate. The concentration of available K+ and Mg2+ in the existing conditions of soil was 237 and 206 mg kg-1, respectively (K+/Mg2+ ratio 1.15). The second factor included three canola cultivars (Zafar, Dalgan, and Hyola50). After eight weeks (prior to flowering), the plants were harvested and shoot dry weight (SDW), the concentration of K, Mg, sodium (Na), and calcium (Ca) in the soil, shoots, and roots were measured. Based on the results, the Hyola50 cultivar preferred further amounts of K+ to Mg2+ (110%). Still, the Dalgan cultivar preferred higher amounts of Mg2+ (90%) (10.8 and 9.6 gr pot-1 SDW, respectively, for Hyola50 and Dalgan). The highest K concentrations in the shoots of the Dalgan (5.10%) and Zafar (4.4%) cultivars were observed at the 120% ratio. The K concentration in the roots of all cultivars (0.928%) was lower than that in the shoots (4.13%). The Hyola50 cultivar demonstrated a greater need for K+ than Mg2+ in the soil and was found to be less K-efficient compared to the Dalgan and Zafar cultivars. It is not suggested to maintain a consistent K+/Mg2+ ratio in the soil for all canola cultivars.

Graphical Abstract

The Response of Canola (Brassica napus L.) Cultivars to Different Soil K/Mg Ratios in Greenhouse Conditions

Highlights

  • Hyola50 demonstrated a preference for a higher K/Mg ratio (110%), indicating a greater need for potassium than magnesium.
  • Dalgan favored a lower K/Mg ratio (90%), showing a higher relative requirement for magnesium.
  • The highest shoot K concentrations were achieved at the 120% K/Mg ratio, with Dalgan (5.10%) outperforming Zafar (4.4%).
  • Across all cultivars, root K concentrations (0.928%) were markedly lower than those in the shoots (4.13%).
  • Hyola50 exhibited a greater soil requirement for K over Mg but was identified as the least K-efficient cultivar compared to Dalgan and Zafar.
  • A uniform soil K/Mg ratio is not recommended for all canola cultivars, highlighting the need for tailored nutrient management.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Ahmed A., Ali F., Ali A., Ullah A., Naz R., Mahar A., Kalhoro S.A. 2015. Optimizing yield and quality of canola cultivars using various potash levels. American Journal of Plant Sciences 6(8): 1233-1242. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2015.68126
Bandehagh A., Motienoparvar P., Heidari A. 2015. Chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence in canola cultivars in response to salinity. International Journal of Advances in Science, Engineering and Technology. Special Issue-5 (pp. 90-93). http://ijaseat.iraj.in/paper_detail.php?paper_id=3618 
Bell M.J., Ransom M.D., Thompson M.L., Hinsinger P., Florence A.M., Moody P.W., Guppy C.N. 2021. Considering soil potassium pools with dissimilar plant availability. In: Murrell T.S., Mikkelsen R.L., Sulewski G., Norton R., Thompson M.L. (eds) Improving Potassium Recommendations for Agricultural Crops. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59197-7_7
Bleiholder H., Weber E., Lancashire P., Feller C., Buhr L., Hess M., Klose R., 2001. Growth stages of mono-and dicotyledonous plants, BBCH Monograph. Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. https://www.julius-kuehn.de/media/Veroeffentlichungen/bbch%20epaper%20en/page.pdf
Brennan R.F., Bolland M.D.A., Walton G.H. 2007. Comparing the calcium requirements of wheat and canola. Journal of Plant Nutrition 30(7): 1167-1184. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904160701394642
Broadley M.R., Hammond J.P., King G.J., Astley D., Bowen H.C., Meacham M.C., Mead A., Pink D.A., Teakle G.R., Hayden R.M., Spracklen W.P. 2008. Shoot calcium and magnesium concentrations differ between subtaxa, are highly heritable, and associate with potentially pleiotropic loci in Brassica oleracea. Plant Physiology 146(4): 1707-1720. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.107.114645
Chew S.C. 2020. Cold-pressed rapeseed (Brassica napus) oil: Chemistry and functionality. Food Research International 131: 108997. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2020.108997
Choudhury M.R., Christopher J., Das S., Apan A., Menzies N.W., Chapman S., Mellor V., Dang Y.P. 2022. Detection of calcium, magnesium, and chlorophyll variations of wheat genotypes on sodic soils using hyper-spectral red edge parameters. Environmental Technology & Innovation 27: 102469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2022.102469
Cottenie A. 1980. Soil and plant testing as a basis of fertilizer recommendations. FAO Soil Bulletin 38/2. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. http://www.fao.org/3/ar118e/ar118e.pdf
Damon P.M., Osborne L.D., Rengel Z. 2007. Canola genotypes differ in potassium efficiency during vegetative growth. Euphytica 156(3): 387-397. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-007-9388-4
Damon P.M., Rengel Z. 2007. Wheat genotypes differ in potassium efficiency under glasshouse and field conditions. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 58(8): 816-825. https://doi.org/10.1071/AR06402
FAO. 2024. Agricultural Data, FAOSTAT. Available at the food and agriculture organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL [Accessed on: 12 December 2025].
Farahani S., Shahsavari N., Mohammadi Arasteh M. 2020. Effect of potassium sulfate on the physiological characteristics of canola cultivars in late season drought stress conditions. Journal of Plant Nutrition 43(9): 1217-1228. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2020.1727507
Fathi A. 2022. Role of nitrogen (N) in plant growth, photosynthesis pigments, and N use efficiency: a review. Agrisost 28: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7143588
Gee G.W., Bauder J.W. 1986. Particle-size analysis. In Klute A. (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis: Part 1. Physical and mineralogical methods (2nd ed., Agronomy Monograph No. 9, pp. 383-411). Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy & Soil Science Society of America. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.1.2ed.c15
Geng G., Cakmak I., Ren T., Lu Z., Lu J. 2021. Effect of magnesium fertilization on seed yield, seed quality, carbon assimilation, and nutrient uptake of rapeseed plants. Field Crops Research 264: 108082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2021.108082
Geng G., Ye X., Ren T., Zhang Y., Li X., Cong R., Cakmak I., Lu Z., Lu J. 2024. Optimal magnesium management for better seed yield and quality of rapeseed based on native soil magnesium supply. European Journal of Agronomy 161: 127364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2024.127364
Gerendás J., Führs H. 2013. The significance of magnesium for crop quality. Plant and Soil 368(1): 101-128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1555-2
Grzebisz W., Szczepaniak W., Potarzycki J., Łukowiak R. 2012. Sustainable management of soil potassium–a crop rotation oriented concept. Soil Fertility 368: 101-128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1555-2
Hanway J.J., Heidel H. 1952. Soil analysis methods as used in Iowa state college soil testing laboratory. Iowa Agriculture 57: 1-31. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1370581626508233858
Hasanuzzaman M., Bhuyan M.B., Nahar K., Hossain M.S., Mahmud J.A., Hossen M.S., Masud A.A.C., Moumita M., Fujita M. 2018. Potassium: a vital regulator of plant responses and tolerance to abiotic stresses. Agronomy 8(3): 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy8030031
Hu W., Lu Z., Meng F., Li X., Cong R., Ren T., Lu J. 2021. Potassium modulates central carbon metabolism to participate in regulating CO2 transport and assimilation in Brassica napus leaves. Plant Science 307: 110891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2021.110891
Ishfaq M., Wang Y., Yan M., Wang Z., Wu L., Li C., Li X. 2022. Physiological essence of magnesium in plants and its widespread deficiency in the farming system of China. Frontiers in Plant Science 13: 802274. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.802274
Jones C., Olson-Rutz K. 2016. Soil nutrient management for canola. EB0224. Montana State University Extension, Bozeman, MT. https://agresearch.montana.edu/wtarc/producerinfo/agronomy-nutrient-management/Canola/MSUExtensionBulletin.pdf
Korzeniowska J., Stanislawska-Glubiak E. 2022. Differences in the concentration of micronutrients in young shoots of numerous cultivars of wheat, maize, and oilseed rape. Agronomy 12(11): 2639. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112639
Li H.X., Chen Z.J., Zhou T., Liu Y., Zhou J.B. 2018. High potassium to magnesium ratio affected the growth and magnesium uptake of three tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivars. Journal of Integrative Agriculture 17(12): 2813-2821. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(18)61949-5
Li J., Hu W., Lu Z., Meng F., Cong R., Li X., Ren T., Lu J. 2022. Imbalance between nitrogen and potassium fertilization influences potassium deficiency symptoms in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) leaves. The Crop Journal 10(2): 565-576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cj.2021.06.001
Lindsay W.L., Norvell W.A. 1978. Development of a DTPA soil test for zinc, iron, manganese, and copper. Soil Science Society American Journal 42(3): 421-428. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1978.03615995004200030009x
Loeppert R.H., Suarez D.L. 1996. Carbonate and gypsum. In Sparks D.L. (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis: Part 3. Chemical methods (SSSA Book Series No. 5, pp. 437-474). Madison, WI: Soil Science Society of America & American Society of Agronomy. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c15
Lohani N., Jain D., Singh M.B., Bhalla P.L. 2020. Engineering multiple abiotic stress tolerance in canola, Brassica napus. Frontiers in Plant Science 11: 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00003
Menzies N., Bell M., Kopittke P. 2019. Exchangeable-cations-and-what-they-can-do-for-you, grains research and development corporation (GDRC), Australia. https://grdc.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/584750/Combined-papers-Goondi-2023-e-version.pdf
Nelson D.W., Sommers L.E. 1996. Total carbon, organic carbon, and organic matter. In Sparks D.L. (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis: Part 3. Chemical methods (SSSA Book Series No. 5, pp. 961-1010). Madison, WI: Soil Science Society of America & American Society of Agronomy. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c34
Nourgholipour F., Mirseyed Hosseini H., Tehrani M.M., Motesharezadeh B., Moshiri F. 2018. Comparison of phosphorus efficiency among spring oilseed rape cultivars in response to phosphorus deficiency. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science 46(1): 54-71. https://doi.org/10.1080/01140671.2017.1343192
Nourgholipour F., Tohidlu S., Jafarnejadi A., Mohammad Nejad Y., Mirzashahi K., Ghaderi J., Arzanesh M.H., Passandideh M., Bybordi A., Montajabi N., Zolfi Bavariani M., Keshavarz P., Seilsepour M., Asadi A., Izadi P., Sedighi S., Davatgar N., Mohajer A., Dadivar M., Hoseini M. 2022. Comparison of farmer-specific fertilization method and the recommended combined fertilization in parts of Iran. Land Management Journal 10(2): 209-220. (In Farsi). https://doi.org/10.22092/lmj.2022.127564
Olsen S.R., Sommers L.E. 1982. Phosphorus. In Page A.L. (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis: Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties (2nd ed., pp. 403-430). Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy & Soil Science Society of America.
Page A.L. 1982. Methods of soil analysis: Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties (2nd ed., pp. 167-179). Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy & Soil Science Society of America.
Rawat J., Pandey N., Saxena J. 2022. Role of potassium in plant photosynthesis, transport, growth, and yield. In: Iqbal N., Umar S. (eds) Role of Potassium in Abiotic Stress. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4461-0_1
Réthoré E., Jing L., Ali N., Yvin J.C., Pluchon S., Hosseini S.A. 2021. K deprivation modulates the primary metabolites and increases putrescine concentration in Brassica napus. Frontiers in Plant Science 12: 681895. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.681895
Rhodes R., Miles N., Hughes J.C. 2018. Interactions between potassium, calcium, and magnesium in sugarcane grown on two contrasting soils in South Africa. Field Crops Research 223: 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.01.001
Rietra R.P., Heinen M., Dimkpa C.O., Bindraban P.S. 2017. Effects of nutrient antagonism and synergism on yield and fertilizer use efficiency. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 48(16): 1895-1920. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2017.1407429
Rose T.J., Rengel Z., Ma Q., Bowden J.W. 2007. Differential accumulation patterns of phosphorus and potassium by canola cultivars compared to wheat. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 170(3): 404-411. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.200625163
Sabbahi R., Azzaoui K., Rhazi L., Ayerdi-Gotor A., Aussenac T., Depeint F., Taleb M., Hammouti B. 2023. Factors affecting the quality of canola grains and their implications for grain-based foods. Foods 12(11): 2219. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12112219
Sait G. 2015 .Managing soil mineral ratios. available in: https://reefcatchments.com.au/files/2020/12/Graeme-Sait-Soil-Mineral-Management.pdf
Sparks D.L., Page A.L., Helmke P.A., Loeppert R.H., Soltanpour P.N., Tabatabai M.A., Johnston C.T., Sumner M.E. 1996. Methods of soil analysis: Part 3—Chemical methods. Madison, WI: Soil Science Society of America. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.3
Tariq A., Zeng F., Graciano C., Ullah A., Sadia S., Ahmed Z., Zhang Z. 2023. Regulation of metabolites by nutrients in plants. In Pratap Singh V.P., Siddiqui M.H. (Eds.), Plant Ionomics: Sensing, Signaling, and Regulation. John Wiley & Sons, USA. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119803041.ch1
Xie K., Cakmak I., Wang S., Zhang F., Guo S. 2021. Synergistic and antagonistic interactions between potassium and magnesium in higher plants. The Crop Journal 9(2): 249-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cj.2020.10.005
Xu Q., Fu H., Zhu B., Hussain H.A., Zhang K., Tian X., Duan M., Xie X., Wang L. 2021. Potassium improves drought stress tolerance in plants by affecting root morphology, root exudates, and microbial diversity. Metabolites 11(3): 131. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11030131
Agrotechniques in Industrial Crops
Volume 6, Issue 2
Agrotechniques in Industrial Crops (Agrotech Ind Crops) (Online ISSN: 2783-2945)
July 2026
Pages 195-207

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics