Does genotypic variation in nitrogen remobilisation efficiency contribute to nitrogen efficiency of winter oilseed-rape cultivars (Brassica napus L.)?

Aims Winter oilseed-rape production is characterized by a low N efficiency, due to low N uptake and insufficient N remobilisation to the seeds. In particular, a reduction of leaf N losses might be one way to improve N efficiency of this crop. It was tested if variations in leaf N losses and in stem residual N amounts at maturity exist between cultivars differing in N efficiency.