Evaluation of Rapeseed Performance Under Different Irrigation Levels and Eucalyptus Biochar

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Faculty of Water and Environmental Engineering, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Given the arid and semi-arid conditions prevalent in Iran, along with the pressing need for effective water resource management, this study examines the impact of agricultural and horticultural residues converted into biochar on the drought tolerance of rapeseed. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the yield and various components of the Hyola 50 rapeseed variety, an important global source of edible oil, under conditions of water deficit and differing levels of biochar application. The research was conducted at the Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz's research farm, utilizing a completely randomized block design. The experimental treatments included four irrigation levels (100%, 85%, 70%, and 60% of the crop's water requirements) and two biochar application levels (1% and 2% by weight), each replicated three times. The traits analyzed encompassed yield, plant height, the number of pods per plant, oil content, and thousand-seed weight. The findings revealed that water deficit significantly reduced both yield and its components. Conversely, introducing biochar notably enhanced plant height, the number of pods per plant, and overall yield. However, no significant effects were observed on thousand-seed weight or oil content. The results showed that applying deficit irrigation at 15% does not cause a significant decrease in yield. This study also showed that adding biochar less than 2% by weight to the soil will not have a significant effect on rapeseed plant yield. The results showed that deficit irrigation reduced yield by 40%, plant height by 17%, and thousand-seed weight by 21%. Adding biochar at a level of 2% by weight improved the number of pods per plant by 7%, plant height by 11%, and yield by 18% at a significant level.

Keywords

Main Subjects