Brassica foods are among the top 10 economic crops in the world (ie broccoli, kale, cauliflower and Chinese cabbage) These vegetables have been identified as important components of a healthy diet because of their high levels of nutrients and health-promoting phytochemicals (ie phenolics, glucosinolates, vitamins and minerals) Epidemiological studies have shown that increased consumption of Brassica foods is strongly associated with a reduced risk of degenerative diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disease and immune dysfunction Nevertheless, the nutritional content and profile in Brassica vegetables have been reported to vary considerably during the growth period due to agronomical factors including light, temperature, water availability and soil fertility among others Moreover, the conditions of postharvest processing and cooking are also important factors on food quality A better understanding of specific preharvest and postharvest conditions is essential to improve cultivars with value-added nutritional quality Thus, in this article are going to be addressed the effects of the most common crop management strategies and processes on the variation of nutritive compounds present within Brassica from the agri-food perspective

Nutritional and phytochemical value of Brassica crops from the agri‐food perspective

This paper presents the results of a 3-year field experiment conducted on soil with moderate levels of boron (B) in north-eastern Poland to determine the influence of foliar application of B (0, 150 and 300 g ha-1) on the yield components, yield, mineral composition, nutritional value and feed value of winter oilseed rape seeds. Foliar application of B at the beginning of bud formation in winter oilseed rape increased seed yield by 0.19 (3%) at the lower B fertilization level to 0.26 Mg ha-1 (4%) at the higher B fertilization level. The observed increase in the yield of winter oilseed rape seeds in response to foliar application of B can be attributed to this micronutrient’s positive influence on seed production in siliques. Foliar fertilization with B increased B content and decreased Zn and Fe levels in the seeds of winter oilseed rape. When B fertilizer was applied at the rate of 150–300 g ha-1, the N and Ca content of the evaluated seeds increased. The fertilizer improved the nutritional value (crude fat content, fatty acid concentrations) of seeds, but deteriorated their feed value (total protein content, acid detergent fiber concentrations, neutral detergent fiber concentrations, quantitative and qualitative composition of glucosinolates).

https://journal.fi/afs/article/download/57413/20714

Yield and quality of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) seeds in response to foliar application of boron

This article presents the results of a three-year experiment involving a multi-criteria evaluation (productivity, economic and energy balance) of the effectiveness of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) fertilization in different cultivars of winter oilseed rape (open-pollinated, semi-dwarf hybrid, long-stem hybrid) grown in north-eastern (NE) Poland. The yield of the semi-dwarf cultivar was 11% lower than the yield of the long-stem hybrid cultivar and 18% higher than the yield of the open-pollinated cultivar. In all cultivars, N fertilization improved yields up to a rate of 180 kg ha−1 and up to a rate of 230 kg ha−1 in years with low precipitation in spring and summer. Seed yield increased in all cultivars in response to S fertilization at 40 kg ha−1. Higher rates of N fertilizer decreased the content of crude fat and glucosinolates (GLS) and increased the concentration of total protein in all cultivars. Sulfur fertilization increased the content of total protein (in long-stem cultivars) and GLS (in all cultivars). Production costs ranged from €542–624 ha−1 (≤130 kg N ha−1) to €619–697 ha−1 (≥180 kg N ha−1). The demand for energy in the production of winter rapeseed ranged from 14.5–19.3 GJ ha−1 (≤130 kg N ha−1) to 22.4–27.0 GJ ha−1 (≥180 kg N ha−1).

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/18/4654/pdf

A Multi-Criteria Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization in Different Cultivars of Winter Rapeseed—Productivity, Economic and Energy Balance

In this study, the agricultural inputs, energy requirements and costs associated with the production of semi-dwarf (PR45 D03 and Avenir) and long-stem (Visby) cultivars of winter oilseed rape were optimized in an experiment with 35-1 fractional factorial design. A field experiment was carried out in the Agricultural Experiment Station in Balcyny (north-eastern Poland) in 2008–2011. The study investigated the responses of two morphotypes of hybrid cultivars of winter oilseed rape to key yield-forming factors (seeding date, seeding rate, nitrogen fertilization) and yield protection factors (fungal disease control). Agronomic inputs were tested at three levels. Our findings indicate that production technologies (characterized by a different intensity of agricultural inputs) should target the specific requirements of winter oilseed rape cultivars. Semi-dwarf cultivars of winter oilseed rape (PR45 D03 and Avenir) were characterized by higher yield potential at different input levels than the long-stem cultivar (Visby). Semi-dwarf cultivars required higher levels of agricultural inputs than the long-stem cultivar. Semi-dwarf cultivars grown in high-input technologies were characterized by the highest energy efficiency ratio. In contrast, the long-stem cultivar was characterized by the optimal energy input-energy output ratio in the low-input technology. Regardless of cultivar, high-input production technologies were more profitable because the resulting increase in seed yield significantly outweighed the rise in production costs.

Productivity, Energy and Economic Balance in the Production of Different Cultivars of Winter Oilseed Rape. A Case Study in North-Eastern Poland

Discriminating power of selected physical properties of seeds of various rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) cultivars

Sulfur application has a significant effect on the yield of oil bearing plants of the family Brassicaceae, especially when the sulfur content of soil is low. Sulfur fertilization also affects the value of plant raw materials, reflected by the concentrations of mineral and biologically active compounds in biomass. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sulfur application to soil on the concentrations of copper, zinc and manganese in the root residues, straw and oil cake of winter and spring rapeseed. A three-year (2005-2008) field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Experimentation Station in Bałcyny (NE Poland). In both spring and winter rapeseed, oil cake contained the highest levels of copper and zinc, followed by root residues and straw. The highest concentrations of manganese per kg dry matter (DM) were found in the root residues of winter rapeseed and in the cake of spring rapeseed. The concentrations of micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn) were slightly higher in the roots of winter rapeseed, compared with spring rapeseed. Sulfur fertilization decreased copper levels and increased manganese levels in the root residues of spring and winter rapeseed. Sulfur application to soil increased zinc concentrations in winter rapeseed roots, and it had no significant influence on the zinc content of spring rapeseed roots. Spring rapeseed straw contained considerably higher levels of zinc and manganese than winter rapeseed straw. The copper content of dr hab. Krzysztof Jankowski, Chair of Agrotechnology and Crop Management, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 8 Oczapowskiego Street, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland, e-mail: krzysztof.jankowski@uwm.edu.pl * The results presented in this paper were obtained as part of a comprehensive study financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (grant No. N310 031 32/167), titled Multi-criteria evaluation of the forecrop quality of oil-bearing plants grown as energy crops for winter wheat.

http://yadda.icm.edu.pl/yadda/element/bwmeta1.element.agro-bb0002b2-6699-4463-8167-9ef0ea0704c2/c/433_446.pdf

Effect of sulfur fertilization on the concentrations of copper, zinc and manganese in the roots, straw and oil cake of rapeseed (Brassica napus L. ssp. oleifera Metzg).

Brassica oilseed crops have very high sulfur requirements. The progressive decrease in the sulfur content of soil, the growing share of cruciferous vegetables in agricultural ecosystems and a significant drop in annual wet and dry deposition of sulfur have prompted a growing body of research into sulfur as a valuable fertilizer ingredient. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sulfur fertilizers applied to soil on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur concentrations in the root residues, straw and oil cake of winter and spring rapeseed. The experimental material was collected from a field experiment conducted in 2005-2008 at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Balcyny (Poland). The highest concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur were noted in the oil cake of both winter and spring rapeseed. Potassium levels were highest in the root residues of winter and spring rapeseed. Winter rapeseed accumulated the highest amounts of calcium in roots, and spring rapeseed – in straw. Sulfur fertilizers applied to soil decreased nitrogen concentrations and increased calcium and sulfur levels in the roots of both spring and winter rapeseed, whereas phosphorus concentrations increased only in the roots of winter rapeseed. Sulfur fertilization led to a drop in the potassium content of winter rapeseed roots (by 0.7 g kg-1 DM) and an increase in potassium levels in spring rapeseed roots (by 1.2 g kg-1 DM). The application of sulfur fertilizers significantly increased potassium and sulfur concentrations in the straw of both spring and winter rapeseed (by 1.3-1.7 and 0.5-0.6 g kg-1 DM, respectively). The application of sulfur fertilizers at optimal dr hab. Krzysztof Jankowski, Chair of Agrotechnology, Agricultural Production Management and Agribusiness, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 8/117, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland, e-mail: krzysztof.jankowski@uwm.edu.pl * Supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Project No. N310 031 32/167.

/pdf/the-effect-of-sulfur-fertilization-on-macronutrient-47xlu57l23.pdf

The effect of sulfur fertilization on macronutrient concentrations in the post-harvest biomass of rapeseed (Brassica napus L. ssp. oleifera Metzg).

The aim of this study was to determine the quality of flour, dough and bread made from the grain of winter wheat grown in a continuous cropping system or after oil plants (winter rapeseed, spring rapeseed, white mustard, brown mustard) in production systems of different intensity. The above products, obtained from wheat grain harvested in three growing seasons (2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009), were analyzed to determine the whiteness, ash content and water absorption capacity of flour, the development time, stability, softening, resistance, extensibility and energy of dough, and the baking volume and yield of bread. The grain of winter wheat grown in a continuous cropping system produced whiter flour with a lower ash content than the grain of winter wheat plants grown after oil plants. The intensification of wheat grain production contributed to flour darkening and a decrease in flour ash content. Monoculture had no adverse effects on the water absorption capacity of flour, the development time, stability or softening of dough. Intensification of production improved water absorption of flour, the development time, stability and softening of dough. The extensibility and energy of dough made from flour obtained from wheat grown in a continuous cropping system were substantially lower, compared with wheat grown after winter rapeseed. Intensification of production also improved dough extensibility and energy. The resistance of dough made from wheat grain produced under medium-input technology was significantly lower, compared with grain produced under low-input technology. Intensification of wheat grain production contributed to a greater increase in the yield of bread made from winter wheat grown after oil plants (primarily winter rapeseed and brown mustard), compared with monoculture.

L Kijewski

Papers

Effect of sulfur fertilization on the concentrations of copper, zinc and manganese in the roots, straw and oil cake of rapeseed (Brassica napus L. ssp. oleifera Metzg).

The effect of sulfur fertilization on macronutrient concentrations in the post-harvest biomass of rapeseed (Brassica napus L. ssp. oleifera Metzg).

Flour quality, the rheological properties of dough and the quality of bread made from the grain of winter wheat grown in a continuous cropping system