Canola (Brassica napus L.) water use indicators as affected by sustained deficit irrigation and plant density in central Free State, South Africa

In South Africa canola (Brassica napus L.) is cultivated in rotation with wheat under winter rainfall the Western Cape Province, primarily for seed to make oil. Expansion of crop other 8 provinces proposed reduce shortages locally produced plant oils. At same time, can serve as a rotational these summer provinces. central Free State, information on evapotranspiration and various water use indicators influenced by sustained deficit irrigation density lacking. An experiment line source sprinkler system was therefore conducted, comprising full control 4 levels (mean reduction depth per event 67%, 52%, 34% 19%) 5 densities (25, 50, 75, 100 125 plants‧m−2). Mean seasonal maximum amounted 429 mm across densities. Plant did not significantly influence evapotranspiration. Reducing more than 20% decreased mean 3.5 percentage increase depth. A biomass productivity 22 kg‧ha−1‧mm−1 measured 75 plants‧m−2. Seed high 11 25 above plants‧m−2 will 0.071 0.033 kg‧ha−1‧mm−1, respectively. Sustained increased efficiency 0.5% event.