Tillage system and seeding rate effects on the performance of <i>Brassica carinata</i>

Brassica carinata, a nonfood oilseed crop, is used to produce renewable fuels because of its high oil content and favorable fatty acid profile. Production in the southeastern United States relatively new, information on agronomic management practices optimize growth yield limited. Since optimal seeding rate may depend land preparation method for this small-seeded study was conducted evaluate effect tillage system (conventional, no-till, broadcast-disc, ripper-roller) (1.12, 5.60, 10.09, 14.57 kg seed ha−1) performance B. carinata. A randomized complete block design with strip-plot restriction randomization four replications implemented Headland, AL, Jay, FL, Quincy, over five site-years during 2017–2018 2018–2019 growing seasons. Data were collected soil residue cover; plant population; penetrometer resistance moisture; biomass (including carbon nitrogen); stalk diameter; components; oil, protein, glucosinolates concentration; composition. Soil significantly affected by system, ripper-roller consistently having lowest penetration values across all site-years. Ripper-roller had highest protein glucosinolate contents. Yield response variable. Among treatments, at 1.12 ha−1 similar among There no interaction yield. Results indicate that treatments used, 5.6 regardless thus recommended commercial carinata production Southeastern States.