Rapeseed [Brassica napus (L.)], white mustard [Sinapis alba (L.)], and Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. et Coss] belong to the family Brassicaceae. Th ese crop species synthesize substantial amounts of fat, protein, and glucosinolates (GLS). Brassica species can diff er in their concentrations of fat, protein, and GLS in response to S fertilization. Plant material for chemical analyses was harvested from a fi eld experiment conducted in northeastern Poland in 2005 to 2008. Th e examined species of oilseed crops were fertilized or not fertilized with S applied to soil at optimal rates for each species based on S uptake and forecast seed yield. On average, S fertilization increased seed yield of oilseed crops by 8%, but it did not induce signifi cant diff erences in the concentrations of fat and protein in seeds. Sulfur fertilization increased total GLS concentrations by 0.22 and 0.27 µmol g -1 dry matter (DM) in the root residues of white mustard and Indian mustard, respectively, and by 0.52 µmol g -1 DM in winter rapeseed. Total GLS concentration in winter rapeseed straw decreased by 0.18 µmol g -1 DM with S application. In white mustard straw, S fertilization increased total GLS concentration by 0.27 µmol g -1 DM. Sulfur fertilization increased total GLS concentrations in the seeds of spring rapeseed, white mustard and Indian mustard by 11.43, 41.75 and 32.05 µmol g -1 DM, respectively. Sulfur fertilization has a signifi cant eff ect on the seed yield and biomass quality of oilseed crops of the family Brassicaceae.

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Sulfur application has a significant effect on the yield of oil bearing plants of the family Brassicaceae, especially when the sulfur content of soil is low. Sulfur fertilization also affects the value of plant raw materials, reflected by the concentrations of mineral and biologically active compounds in biomass. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sulfur application to soil on the concentrations of copper, zinc and manganese in the root residues, straw and oil cake of winter and spring rapeseed. A three-year (2005)(2006)(2007)(2008) field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Experimentation Station in Bałcyny (NE Poland).In both spring and winter rapeseed, oil cake contained the highest levels of copper and zinc, followed by root residues and straw. The highest concentrations of manganese per kg dry matter (DM) were found in the root residues of winter rapeseed and in the cake of spring rapeseed. The concentrations of micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn) were slightly higher in the roots of winter rapeseed, compared with spring rapeseed. Sulfur fertilization decreased copper levels and increased manganese levels in the root residues of spring and winter rapeseed. Sulfur application to soil increased zinc concentrations in winter rapeseed roots, and it had no significant influence on the zinc content of spring rapeseed roots. Spring rapeseed straw contained considerably higher levels of zinc and manganese than winter rapeseed straw. The copper content of dr hab. Krzysztof Jankowski, Chair

Brassica oilseed crops have very high sulfur requirements. The progressive decrease in the sulfur content of soil, the growing share of cruciferous vegetables in agricultural ecosystems and a significant drop in annual wet and dry deposition of sulfur have prompted a growing body of research into sulfur as a valuable fertilizer ingredient. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sulfur fertilizers applied to soil on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur concentrations in the root residues, straw and oil cake of winter and spring rapeseed. The experimental material was collected from a field experiment conducted in 2005-2008 at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Bałcyny (Poland). The highest concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur were noted in the oil cake of both winter and spring rapeseed. Potassium levels were highest in the root residues of winter and spring rapeseed. Winter rapeseed accumulated the highest amounts of calcium in roots, and spring rapeseed-in straw. Sulfur fertilizers applied to soil decreased nitrogen concentrations and increased calcium and sulfur levels in the roots of both spring and winter rapeseed, whereas phosphorus concentrations increased only in the roots of winter rapeseed. Sulfur fertilization led to a drop in the potassium content of winter rapeseed roots (by 0.7 g kg-1 DM) and an increase in potassium levels in spring rapeseed roots (by 1.2 g kg-1 DM). The application of sulfur fertilizers significantly increased potassium and sulfur concentrations in the straw of both spring and winter rapeseed (by 1.3-1.7 and 0.5-0.6 g kg-1 DM, respectively). The application of sulfur fertilizers at optimal

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the influence of the soil application of sulphur (S) on concentrations of micronutrients in the root residues, straw and oil cake of white and Indian mustard. The plant material for chemical analyses originated from a controlled field experiment conducted in experimental fields at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland (2006-2008. In both white and Indian mustard, the richest source of Cu (7.2; 7.0 mg/ kg dry matter (DM)) and Zn (64.6; 55.3 mg/kg DM) was the oil cake from mustard seeds. Regarding Mn, both white and Indian mustard accumulated the highest content of this element in roots (48.2; 50.8 mg/kg DM), less in oil cake (31.9; 35.5 mg/kg DM) and the least Mn was determined in straw of both species (24.0; 17.1 mg/kg DM). The application of sulphur caused a significant increase in the concentration of Zn and Mn in white mustard roots. The content of micronutrients in roots of Indian mustard was not differentiated significantly by S fertilization. The application of sulphur caused a significant decrease in the content of Mn in white mustard straw and Cu in Indian mustard straw. The content of micronutrients in white mustard oil cake and Indian mustard oil cake was not significantly changed by S fertilization.