In-Field Observation of Root Growth and Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency of Winter Oilseed Rape

Field trials were conducted with two nitrogen applications (0 or 240 kg N ha(-1)) and three modern cultivars of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) previously selected from a root morphology screen at a young developmental stage. The purpose is to examine the relationship between root morphology and Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency (NUpE) and to test the predictiveness of some canopy optical indices for seed quality and yield. A tube-rhizotron system was used to incorporate below-ground root growth information. Practically, clear tubes of one meter in length were installed in soil at an angle of 45 degrees. The root development was followed with a camera at key growth stages in autumn (leaf development) and spring (stem elongation and flowering). Autumn was a critical time window to observe the root development, and exploration in deeper horizons (36-48 cm) was faster without any fertilization treatment. Analysis of the rhizotron images was challenging and it was not possible to clearly discriminate between cultivars. Canopy reflectance and leaf optical indices were measured with proximal sensors. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was a positive indicator of biomass and seed yield while the Nitrogen Balance Index (NBI) was a positive indicator of above-ground biomass N concentration at flowering and seed N concentration at harvest.