Effect of foliar application of neodymium on the growth and nutrition of Brassica napus L.

The glasshouse study examined the effect of a single foliar spray of neodymium (Nd) on the growth and nutrient concentration of rape plants (Brassica napus I,.). The application of Nd at concentrations of 20 and 100 mg Nd(NO3)(3) L-1 increased the dry weight of the sprayed leaves and roots but decreased the weight of unsprayed younger leaves. This foliar application of Nd at the vegetative stage increased seed yield by 11-23% which resulted from the increased pod number and seed size. Although concentrations of N and K, and total uptake of N, P and K increased in the sprayed leaves, the application of Nd decreased concentrations of N, P, K and Ca in the unsprayed younger leaves, and of K and Ca in the root. The results suggest that the increased seed yield of rape by foliar application of Nd does not result from an improved nutrition of N, P, K or Ca.