Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Natural Resources

First Advisor

Reddy, Dr. M.R.

Abstract

Canola in the past and present has been evaluated as a domestic fuel source and a means to stimulate rural economic development. In order to ease the transition of the economy in North Carolina new rotational crops can be looked upon as sources of additional revenue. Canola Brassica napus (L.) production was evaluated for cultivation in a Piedmont soil (Mecklenburg Sandy Clay Loam) at NC A&T State University research farm located in Greensboro, NC (Guilford County). The experiment was conducted using a split plot design with main plot factor cultivar (Virginia and DKW 46-15) and subplot factor fertilizer: (N-P2O5-K2O) in (kgha-1) 0-0-0, 70-28-84, 70-28-864 + Soysoap, 140-56-168 and 140-56-168 + Soysoap. Soysoap was applied as a foliar spray to evaluate its effectiveness in enhanced nutrient absorption. Canola was planted in October and harvested in May in all three years (2009-2012). Analysis from 3 consecutive years revealed that plots that received the 140-56-168 (kgha-1) fertilizer treatment produced significantly higher seed yields than the control. Canola seed was mechanically extracted in 2011 and 2012. Neither canola cultivar nor fertilizer treatment affected mechanically extracted oil percentages in 2011 or 2012. Cultivar selection in 2010 had a significant effect (p < 0.001) on hexane extracted oil percentages in which the Virginia cultivar produced a significantly higher oil percentage than DKW 46-15. After evaluating cultivars oil yield potential, the Virginia cultivar would be more suitable towards biofuel production in NC versus DKW 46-15.

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