CANOLA OIL PRODUCTION AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE AS AFFECTED BY PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING AND SULFUR OXIDIZING BACTERIA

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is a very important agricultural and industrial crop. Hence, the effects of chemical and biological treatments on canola oil production and nutrient uptake, under calcareous conditions, were evaluated in a field experiment. Phosphorus (P) fertilizer and sulfur (S)-oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus sp.) increased canola oil production by a maximum of 548 and 335 kg ha−1, respectively. P-solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus sp.) and Thiobacillus sp. enhanced the uptake of different nutrients including nitrogen (N), P, potassium (K), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn). Monthly measurements of soil P indicated that soil P fluctuations can be managed using the applied treatments for proper P fertilization in canola production. The results indicated the important role of chemical and biological (Bacillus sp.) P sources and S-oxidizing bacteria for canola growth and oil production as they resulted in significant increase in canola oil production and nutrient uptake. This can be very beneficial fo...