Role of agronomic interventions on quality and yield of oil in transplanted Canola (Brassica napus L.)

Canola is an important oilseed crop throughout the world and is grown in more than fifty-three countries. Planting geometry plays an important role in achieving higher production, because of an optimum number of crop plants per unit area and efficient utilization of available nutrients. Planting geometry has an effect on yield through its influence on light interception, rooting pattern and moisture extraction. Besides the research for best plant geometry, it is also essential to screen suitable varieties for procuring a higher yield of seed as well as oil. A field experiment entitled “Role of agronomic interventions on quality and yield of oil in transplanted canola (Brassica napus L.)” was carried out at Student’s Research Farm, P.G. Department of Agriculture, Khalsa College, Amritsar during winter (rabi) season of 2021-2022 on sandy loam soil. The experiment was laid out in split plot design (SPD) with three replications and twelve treatment combinations comprising of three different varieties in main-plots viz., V₁ (Kenola 1001), V₂ (Hyola Adv-45) and V₃ (GSC-7) with four planting geometries viz., S₁ (45 cm × 10 cm), S₂ (45 cm × 20 cm), S₃ (45 cm × 30 cm) and S₄ (45 cm × 40 cm) allotted in sub-plots. Among the varieties, GSC-7 recorded significantly higher oil yield and oil content (8.63 q ha^-1 and 42.31%) as compared to Hyola Adv-45 (6.85 q ha^-1 and 40.17%) and Kenola-1001 (5.70 q ha^-1 and 38.33%). Among various planting geometries, S₁ (45 cm × 10 cm) recorded significantly higher oil yield and oil content (8.44 q ha^-1 and 42.92%). Significantly higher content of stearic acid (2.69%), palmitic acid (5.04%), linoleic acid (16.39%), linolenic acid (7.57%) and erucic acid (1.73%) were recorded in GSC-7 variety. Sub-plot treatment S₁ recorded arithmetically improved stearic acid (2.51%), palmitic acid (4.60%), linoleic acid (15.72%), linolenic acid (7.21%) and erucic acid (1.62%) content compared to other treatments. Statistically improved protein content (24.72%) and NPandK (3.97%, 0.73% and 0.95%) was recorded in GSC-7.