Influence of Zeolite Application on Nitrogen Efficiency and Loss in Canola Production under Sandy Soils Conditions

A field experiment was carried out in a semi-arid region of Iran during the 2006–2007 growing season to investigate canola seed yield as affected by nitrogen (N) and natural zeolite (Z) rates. This experiment studied N efficiency and N leaching loss in a sandy soil. Experimental treatments consisted of a factorial combination of three N levels (90, 180, and 270 kg N ha−1) and four zeolite rates (0, 3, 6, and 9 t zeolite ha−1). The result showed that the greatest seed yield (2452.3 kg ha−1) was obtained from the N270Z9 treatment whereas the control treatment (N0Z0) produced the lowest seed yield (1038.3 kg ha−1). Moreover, use of 270 kg N ha−1 without zeolite (N270Z0) led to the greatest amount of N leaching loss (144.23 kg ha−1). Zeolite application clearly reduced N leaching loss in all N rates. This justified low N-use efficiency in high N applications. More N uptake and more canola seed yield is attributed to zeolite application.