Effect of cultivar, production year and row spacing on protein content in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract

The variability of protein content in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) in addition to genetic factors, is greatly influenced by many environmental factors as location, year, temperature. Proper field practices as crop rotation, sowing density, and sowing date can also influence oil and protein content in rapeseed. This study was initiated to determine the impact of cultivar, production year and row spacing (sowing density) on protein content in three cultivars of winter rapeseed grown in Serbia, during two vegetation periods. Experimental factors included three winter rapeseed cultivars (Banaćanka, Slavica and NS-H-R-1) sown in five row spacings of 16 cm (RS1, 25 plants/m2), 10 cm (RS2, 40 plants/m2), 8 cm (RS3, 50 plants/m2), 6 cm (RS4, 67 plants/m2) and 5 cm (RS5, 80 plants/m2). The rows were 25 cm apart. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare means of treatments using STATISTICA 7.0 software. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) based on results of the two-year average showed that the mean squares for main effects year (Y) and cultivar (C) were highly significant (**P < 0.01), but protein content was not significantly affected by row spacing (RS).