Glucosinolate concentration in turnip (Brassica rapa ssp rapifera L.) roots as affected by nitrogen and sulfur supply

Three greenhouse pot experiments were conducted with four different nitrogen (N) treatments (80, 160, 240, and 320 kg ha(-1)) in combination with three sulfur (S) treatments (10, 20, and 60 kg ha-1) to study the effects of combined N and S supply on glucosinolate concentration and composition in turnip roots. Total glucosinolate concentration varied widely from 9.7 (N320S10) to 91.6 (N160S60) Mg (100 g)(-1) root fresh weight (FW) and individual glucosinolate concentrations were increased with increasing S supply regardless of the N treatment, whereas enhanced N supply (160 - 320 N ha(-1)) at the high S level (60 kg ha(-1)) did not affect total glucosinolate concentration. In contrast, assumingly attributed to the individual glucosinolate biosynthesis concentration of N-containing tryptophan-derived indole glucosinolate was highest with increased N supply, whereas S-containing methionine-derived aromatic and aliphatic glucosinolates decreased with increasing N supply combined at low S level (10-20 kg ha(-1)).