Silicon Promotes Agronomic Performance in Brassica napus Cultivated under Field Conditions with Two Nitrogen Fertilizer Inputs

To limit the environmental pollution associated with intensive nitrogen (N) fertilizer usage, alternative cultural practices must be considered for crops requiring high N inputs such as rapeseed. In this context, the effects of silicon (Si) supply on the agronomic performance of rapeseed cultivated under field conditions with two N fertilizer levels (60 and 160 kg ha(-1)) were studied. Results showed that Si supplied in the form of silicic acid (12 kg ha(-1)) has no effect on the agronomic performance of plants cultivated with the lower N input. In contrast, in plants fertilized with 160 kg N ha(-1), Si supply promotes the preservation of green leaves (until the flowering stage) and at harvest stage, increases biomass, yield, and seed micronutrient concentrations (especially cobalt and iron). The agronomic indexes show that the increase in seed yield is related to a better uptake of N from the soil by Si-treated plants, but is not an improvement in N mobilization towards the seeds. This study showed that Si supply combined with high N inputs (160 kg ha(-1)) improves usage of N fertilizer and yield. The possibility that a Si supply could allow for a reduction in N input without altering the yield of rapeseed is discussed.