Effect of nitrogen and sulphur on the safflower fatty acids profile

Abstract

Nutritional management is one of the most important factors determining plant growth and improving the quality characteristics of a crop. This study aimed to investigate the application of doses of sulphur from different fertilizer sources (S0: control - no sulphur application); S1: 25 kg ha-1 - sulphur phosphate composites; S2: 50 kg ha-1 - sulphur phosphate composites; S3: 25 kg ha-1 - elemental sulphur; S4: 50 kg ha-1 - elemental sulphur; S5: 25 kg ha-1 - zinc sulphate; S6: 50 kg ha-1 - zinc sulphate) and nitrogen fertilizers (0, 40 and 80 kg ha-1 - urea fertilizer) on the profile of fatty acids, in Carthamus tinctorius L. seeds. The application of high levels of sulphur significantly reduced the amount of ash. The highest percentage of oil was achieved from plants grown with S4N80 and S3N40. The highest amounts of stearic and oleic acid were recorded with the use of S6N80. The linolenic acid content was affected by both sulphur and nitrogen doses, and the highest amount was recorded using S4N80 and S6N40, respectively. The application of S4N80, S6N80 and S3N80 in the studied area could significantly improve the oil quality.

KEYWORDS: Carthamus tinctorius L., Asteraceae, nutritional management.